The USA South women's team had to overcome delayed flights, lost luggage, and a language barrier before reaching Mexico City this week for the 2018 Rugby Americas North Women’s 10s Championship, but the Panthers know bigger challenges await once they take the field.

The Panthers are set to face off against Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mexico as the two-day tournament kicks off Thursday in the Mexican national capital.

Panther Preparation

USA South Women’s head coach Chris Martin was handed the coaching reins three weeks before the 2017 RAN Women’s 10s Championship and the team made it all the way to the final only to lose to Trinidad & Tobago. 

Martin now has a full year with the team under his belt and the defending champs did not make the trip to Mexico City. 

“Our preparation is miles ahead of where we were last year,” Martin said. “We are excited to see where they can jell by Thursday, given that they’ve at least all experienced my coaching and expectations, even if they haven’t all played together yet.”

Martin made his player selections for this USA South team after holding two regional camps with a combined 56 attendees. One camp had a 15s feel and the other was more sevens-based. Martin had to make selections and fashion his preparation to a combined style for the ten versus ten competition. 

Compared to last year, the team will have more time to practice at the competition site. 

“We have three days of training, whereas in Miami we had an hour and a half at a field and an hour in a parking garage,” Martin said.

Logistical Letdowns

A team can only be so prepared. With this year’s competition abroad comes unexpected obstacles.

The language barrier makes logistics harder. The rugby is the same, but reserving fields and car rentals takes more effort. Luckily, player Jen Moser and athletic trainer Luis Rodas speak Spanish.

The team ran into airport trouble, with half of its members on delayed flights, one player with no flight until Monday, and lost luggage. The team is now all together in Mexico City and has the leadership to move past the logistical obstacles.

Leading Ladies

Sara Lundy and Claire Stingley are the only returning players from the last year's RAN 10s campaign.

“Both bring a solidity to the expectations, but the group, in general, is very full of leaders,” Martin said. “It will be interesting who steps up over the next few training sessions.”

The Americans should be the favorite in this tournament, with the defending champions staying home. USA South won the tournament in 2016 with a star-studded roster full of Life University national champions. This year, Martin feels his team has different characteristics. 

“I wouldn’t say we have a ton of ‘individual all-stars’ this year,” Martin said. “There are a lot of distributors and strike runners in the group, as well as a few players that seem to excel in the support game. It’s a very well-rounded group. High rugby IQ, with women very invested in their own development.”