Fear the might of the Atlantis girls team, and don't be ashamed; they are really good.

Started only a few years ago, the Atlantis U18 and U16 girls programs have built on the long history of elite women’s play with the touring Atlantis program, coming away victors last year and also in the Tropical 7s.

The key has been a strong adherence to the tenets of the founder of Atlantis Rugby, Emil Signes, and Signes has always preached that winning restarts wins sevens games. He’s not wrong.

But it can be easier said than done. The key is also to find the right personnel—players who have the skills and athletes who have the ability. That’s where coaches such as Wayne DiMarco, who oversees the Atlantis girls teams, come in. DiMarco has already run Eagles through the program (Sorensen Award-Winner Emily Henrich, and soon-to-be Pan-Am Games player Ariana Ramsay), but what’s more impressive is how he has reloaded when those players have moved on.

Watch Atlantis Girls 7s teams in action

“I think you’re going to see more and more Atlantis players achieve great things in college and in the Eagles,” said DiMarco. 

The key is focusing on young players. The U16s team isn’t playing the NAHS 7s elite division, but it’s producing players anyway. Three who are U16 eligible are on the elite U18 squad. 

DiMarco takes to Salt Lake City a roster that is somewhat changed from the one that took top spot at the Tropical 7s. But, if anything, this team is stronger.

Alex Wantlin has emerged as a player to watch after the Tropical 7s, while among the U16s, Rena Tinoisamoa has a huge upside.

"She's not only a great player, she's a leader," said DiMarco.

Leaders seem to keep coming out of this program.

Watch Two Live Feeds For the NAI 7s August 2-3

Elite HS Brackets—NAHS 7s—Live Here

Two other NAI 7s Field Live Here