Celebrating Excellence in Salt Lake City: Irish Rugby Tours at the NAI 7s

The countdown is officially over—and what an incredible weekend of rugby it was! The Irish Rugby Tours team recently crossed the Atlantic to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the premier youth 7s tournament on the continent: the North American Invitational 7s (NAI 7s).

As official sponsors of this year’s event, we were thrilled to be on the ground supporting one of the most dynamic, fast-paced, and competitive rugby festivals in the world.

The Pinnacle of Youth & U23 7s Rugby

The NAI 7s is widely recognized as the largest and most competitive youth rugby tournament in North America. Hosted at the Regional Athletic Complex against the stunning backdrop of Utah’s mountain ranges, this prestigious festival brings together elite youth academies, schools, clubs, and collegiate sides from across the globe.

With over 170 confirmed teams competing across two intense days of action, the tournament delivered world-class performances. Young athletes tested themselves against top-tier competition while playing directly in front of dozens of college, national, and professional talent scouts.

On the Ground: Visiting the Irish Rugby Tours Tent

While the high-octane 7s action unfolded on the field, the Irish Rugby Tours team was on the ground all weekend long. We had the pleasure of welcoming coaches, club directors, parents, and players to our tent to discuss their developmental goals and future touring visions.

Whether teams wanted to experience the unmatched passion of Irish rugby, take on top European clubs in France or Italy, or explore the rich rugby heritage of South Africa, South America, or New Zealand, our team was ready to start crafting custom itineraries on the spot.

Celebrating Every NAI 7s Bracket Champion

With fierce competition across every age group and skill tier—from U14 development to the Men’s U23 division—we want to extend a massive congratulations to every single team that won their respective bracket champion titles at this year’s tournament (as published on the NAI 7s Official Schedule & Results):

Boys Divisions

• Boys U18 Elite Champions: Rebel Rugby Academy

  In a high-stakes Elite final, Rebel Rugby White put on an incredible performance to claim the pinnacle Boys U18 Elite crown over San Mateo Wolverines (21–19).

• Boys U18 Open Champions: Herriman High School

  Herriman capped off an undefeated tournament run with a commanding 52–7 victory in the final over Belmont Shore.

• Boys U16 Elite Champions: Atlantis Rugby

  Atlantis Rugby showcased elite speed and physical defense to capture the U16 Elite title.

• Boys U16 Open Champions: Hawaiian Gardens Youth Rugby

          Hawaiian Gardens Youth Rugby navigated a tough bracket to earn the U16 Open championship trophy.

• Boys U14 Champions: Westlake Drua

  Westlake Drua junior side dominated the U14 field with clinical skill execution.

Girls Divisions

• Girls U18 Tier 1 Champions: Utah Cannibals

  The Cannibals delivered a masterpiece performance in front of their home crowd, securing the Tier 1 championship with a 28–0 shutout against the Majestics.

• Girls U18 Tier 2 Champions: Westlake Drua

  Westlake Drua pulled off a thrilling 21–15 victory in the final over SacAIR to take home the Tier 2 title.

• Girls U16 Champions: TOA Academy MALOSI

  TOA Academy showed incredible depth, with MALOSI defeating sister-side TOA Academy SEKI in the championship match.

• Girls U14 Champions: Utah Cannibals

  Completing a double-championship weekend for the program, the U14 Utah Cannibals earned gold with a stunning 50–0 win in the final.

Men’s U23 Division

• Men’s U23 Champions: Belmont Shore U23

  Bridging the pathway between high school academies and senior professional rugby, Belmont Shore U23 outlasted a star-studded field including PNW Selects and Silicon Valley to win the U23 bracket championship.

The Impact of an International Rugby Tour

Events like NAI 7s demonstrate the unique power of rugby to bring young athletes together from across the globe. Taking your team on an international tour expands on this foundation, offering benefits that extend far beyond the final whistle:

• Unrivaled Team Bonding: Shared travel experiences, foreign environments, and shared challenges build deep trust, communication, and friendships that directly translate to on-field performance.

• Personal Growth and Leadership: Stepping outside their comfort zones teaches players independence, accountability, and adaptability.

• Global Tactical Exposure: Playing against international opposition introduces both players and coaches to diverse playing styles, technical approaches, and rugby traditions.

Plan Your Next Chapter with Irish Rugby Tours

At Irish Rugby Tours, we’re passionate about bringing supporters, schools and clubs closer to the game they love.

Whether you’re planning bespoke Rugby Travel to Ireland to experience the incredible atmosphere of international rugby, organizing specialized club and school trips through our Rugby Tours Hub, or looking to explore iconic rugby destinations around the world, our team creates unforgettable rugby experiences from start to finish.

With major global events like the inaugural Nations Championship capturing the rugby world’s attention, there has never been a better time to broaden your team’s horizons.

Get in Touch Today

Reach our team directly to start planning your next tour:

Get in touch today for a free, tailored quote and let’s get your team on the pitch.

• Phone: +353 1 685 6277

• Email: info@irishrugbytours.com