Raising the Standard: Coach Rob Appointed Head Coach for PR7s Rocky Mountain Experts U19 Girls Academy

Colorado rugby, it’s time to get excited. We’ve got some massive news coming out of the SAFFA RUGBY camp that is set to change the game for youth development in our region. Our very own Rob Quickfall has been officially appointed as the Head Coach for the PR7s Rocky Mountain Experts U19 Girls Academy right here in Denver!

This isn't just another coaching gig. This is a pivotal moment for the growth of elite girls’ rugby in Colorado and a massive step forward in our mission to "Raise the Standard." If you’ve been following our journey at SAFFA RUGBY ACADEMY, you know we live and breathe player development. Now, we’re taking that expertise to the professional pathway with one of the most exciting organizations in the sport: Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s).

What is PR7s and the Rocky Mountain Experts?

For those who might be new to the sevens scene, Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) is the first professional rugby league in the world to launch with equal pay for its male and female athletes. It’s fast, it’s high-octane, and it’s become the premier platform for the best sevens talent in the United States.

The Rocky Mountain Experts are the local pride and joy. As one of the league's "Core Four" franchises, they represent the grit, altitude, and skill of the mountain west. By establishing a U19 Girls Academy in Denver, PR7s is building a direct bridge from youth rugby to the professional ranks. And who better to lead that charge than a coach dedicated to the authentic culture and technical excellence of the game?

Why This Appointment Matters for Colorado Girls

For a long time, the path to elite rugby for young women in Colorado has been a bit of a maze. We have incredible talent in our high schools and local clubs, but finding that next level of high-performance training: the kind that prepares you for the Olympics or the professional circuit: has been a challenge.

With Coach Rob at the helm of the Experts U19 Girls Academy, that path just became a whole lot clearer. This appointment reinforces SAFFA RUGBY’s deep-rooted commitment to developing girls' rugby in Colorado. It’s about more than just winning matches; it’s about creating an environment where young athletes are seen, challenged, and supported as they reach for their highest potential.

The SAFFA Philosophy in a High-Performance World

You’ll often hear us talk about our core philosophy: Learn → Enjoy → Develop → Compete. This isn't just a catchy slogan; it’s the DNA of everything we do at the SAFFA RUGBY ACADEMY.

In a high-pressure environment like PR7s, it’s easy to skip the "Enjoy" and "Develop" phases and jump straight into "Compete." But Coach Rob’s approach is different. He knows that the most resilient and intelligent players are those who have a deep technical foundation and a genuine love for the game.

• Learn: Mastering the fundamentals of the sevens game: the passing, the tracking, and the safe technical tackle.

• Enjoy: Creating a culture of sisterhood and passion that keeps players coming back even when the training is grueling.

• Develop: Focusing on individual growth, ensuring every girl in the academy is a better player on Tuesday than she was on Monday.

• Compete: Harnessing that development to dominate on the pitch with intelligence and discipline.

Introducing "Shift Theory" to the Sevens Circuit

One of the unique elements Coach Rob brings to the Experts Academy is his expertise in "Shift Theory." In the world of Rugby Sevens, space is everything. Sevens is a game of chess played at a full sprint. Shift Theory focuses on the micro-adjustments in defensive lines and the rapid transition of the point of attack to exploit gaps before the defense can react.

By applying these advanced tactical concepts to the U19 level, Coach Rob is ensuring that Denver’s young female players aren't just faster: they’re smarter. They are learning to read the game with the same "game intelligence" that we emphasize in our coaching development programs.

A Personal Note: Raising the Standard

When you ask Rob about his new role, he doesn’t talk about trophies. He talks about the standard.

"My goal has always been to elevate the standard of rugby in this state," Rob says. "Being appointed Head Coach for the Experts U19 Girls is an incredible honor, but more importantly, it’s a responsibility. These girls deserve the best coaching, the best culture, and the best opportunities. We’re going to show the country what Colorado rugby is made of."

At SAFFA RUGBY, we believe that "Raising the Standard" is a verb. It’s an action we take every day on the training pitch. Whether it’s a 1-to-1 session with a beginner or leading a professional academy side, the commitment to excellence remains the same.

What’s Next?

The launch of the PR7s Rocky Mountain Experts U19 Girls Academy is just the beginning. We expect to see a massive ripple effect across the local rugby community. When our youth players see a clear pathway to the pros, it inspires every girl picking up a rugby ball for the first time at one of our clinics.

If you’re a parent of a young player or a coach looking to see these principles in action, we invite you to join the movement. Our programs at SAFFA RUGBY are designed to feed into this high-performance pipeline, ensuring that every player has the tools they need to succeed at the next level.

Ready to start your journey?

Check out our upcoming clinics and development sessions at www.saffarugbyacademy.com. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills for the school season or you have your sights set on the Experts Academy, we’re here to help you get there.

Let’s get to work. Let’s raise the standard.

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