USA Rugby's announcement of who is in the Women's Sevens residency program is a big move.

When the residency program first kicked off in late 2016 the announcement wasn't broadly shared by the national governing body, and the list of players in the program wasn't shared at all. But now, under Chris Brown (as well as a communications staff not in place in 2016) the Eagles are being a little bit more transparent about it all.

That's a good thing.

Here's what we can see within the selections:

1. Our correspondent in camp, Kelsi Stockert, has decided to concentrate on 15s. This is a good move for Stockert as it fits her skill set a little bit better (although the same could be said of some of the players still in residency). It's also a reflection of the fact that the USA 15s team will be in action in 2019 much, much more than it was the last 18 months or so.

2. The Falcons tours aren't just to fill in the calendar. Some players, such as Boston's Kristi Kirshe, used it to play their way into the program. 

3. Other players have left, and generally it's because they just weren't getting time. That's fair for everyone. And to replace them? Young players. You need to restock a national sevens program with youth. There's no point otherwise. That's why high schooler Eti Haungatau is in the squad.

4. The military partnership is growing. We know we have the Army World Class Athlete Program, and that's partly why Kasey McCravey is there. McCravey is also a crossover athlete having played softball at West Point. She's quite an athlete.

But she's not alone. Kate Herren is a reflection of the US Marine Corps' sponsorship deal with USA Rugby. She, too, is quite an athlete, having been a four-year starter for the US Naval Academy soccer team before suiting up for the Armed Forces 7s team.

5. You've got your regulars. Don't forget about them. Alev Kelter, Nana Fa'avesi, Lauren Doyle, Nicole Heavirland (also a West Point grad), Naya Tapper, and Kris Thomas are still there. But, that's not a full squad. There are plenty of spots to fill.

Who fills those spots? You can't know. Ilona Maher probably does. There's room for a aeiralist, and room for some brute force. And youth ... always room for youth. 

USA Women's Sevens 2019 Resident-Athletes