Professional sports opportunity knocks in Southern Pines

If your dream is to play professional sports, a new opportunity opens this summer as NOLA Gold rugby
holds open tryouts in Southern Pines.

NOLA Gold is the newest professional sports team in New Orleans, and is a member of Major League Rugby.

The team is recruiting athletes from a broad range of backgrounds who share the drive, talent and passion for professional sports.

“For athletes who have dreamed of competing at the pro level, this is the chance of a lifetime,” said Tim
Falcon, team owner and founder of NOLA Gold. “Rugby is growing fast in the United States and with Major League Rugby we are building something incredible.”

Members of the Southern Pines Rugby will be trying out to see if they have what it takes to become professional players.  Players Robert Eason, Shawn Riley, Cormac Kenan and Zach Miller will be at the tryouts in September when NOLA Gold comes to Southern Pines.

Southern Pines Rugby is an amateur team who are  a competitive D2 club that just finished in the top 16 in the country in 2018, and they have made the playoffs the last two seasons and the final four in D3 in 2016-17 season.

Members of  Southern Pines Rugby(courtesy photo)

Major League Rugby held its debut season in 2018, and NOLA Gold was among its first teams across the country.

At tryouts, NOLA Gold will evaluate athletes through a series of drills and exercises. Those who stand out will be invited to join NOLA Gold on a professional contract for the upcoming 2018/19 season or invited to the team’s High Performance Academy.

The Academy is there to identify talented athletes and engage them in a High Performance development program. Athletes can join the academy in a variety of avenues, with the ultimate goal of being selected to the NOLA Gold 1st XV.

“With our High Performance Academy, we’re providing an environment and structure that enables athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the field,” said NOLA Gold General Manager Ryan Fitzgerald. “It’s amazing how many talented athletes there are throughout these areas and we’re looking for the ones who want to compete at the professional level and have a desire to grow & develop.”

For anyone who would like to tryout, NOLA Gold will be holding tryouts on September 16 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the National Athletic Village located at 201 Air Tool Drive in Southern Pines.

Tryouts are open to ages 18 and older. Registration cost: $50 advance or $75 day of tryout. Register to reserve a spot through www.nolagoldrugby.com/tryouts

Feature photo courtesy of NOLA Gold.

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