JEFF LEVASSEUR AMONG THE BEST YOUNG RUGBY PLAYERS IN AMERICA

Rugby?  Believe it or not, rugby has become one of the fastest growing sports in the area.  Rugby is a game played by two teams of 15 players each on a rectangular field 110 yards long with goal lines and goal posts at either end, the object being to run with an oval ball across the opponent's goal line or kick it through the upper portion of the goal posts, with forward passing and time-outs not permitted.

Through hard work, Charlotte Catholic High School Junior Jeff Levasseur has become one of the top young rugby players in America. He recently earned a spot on the U17 National Team, quite an honor for son of Thomas and Karen Levasseur.

Jeff was introduced to rugby in seventh grade. His first season was more of an introductory season, but he quickly found success. The next season Jeff moved on to play rugby for The South Charlotte Rugby Club and joined the Charlotte Catholic High School Rugby club the next season.  After a superb freshman season, Jeff was named All-State in Rugby.  Jeff repeated on the All-State team as a Sophomore and received an invitation to try out for the National Team.

Following a tryout in Indiana, Jeff was asked to come to Arizona this past December.  He passed the test in Arizona and was asked to come to Dallas on President’s Day Weekend for the final tryout for the National Team.  Once again, Jeff played well and won a position on the U17 National Team.

This past week, Jeff and the National Team traveled to England for rugby play. 

"Although we lost all 3 games, we had the time of our lives.  Playing on an international level is completely different from play in the United States.  I was able to play all three games, starting in two against the Romanians and Canadians, and acting a sub in the game against Portugal.  We met our goal of playing as a team, having fun and most of all representing the USA.  We showed the rest of the world that the USA can play some ball."

Jeff credits much of his success to getting an early start on the game.

“I would like to personally thank Tom Dever for all he has done by introducing me to the game and supporting me through my career.”

“Starting to play rugby early was the key.  I learned the rules of the game and strategies from the start and that helped.  I also relied on my football skills to help me with becoming a better player.”

It’s important to note, Jeff is a very talented football player.  He was named Defensive MVP of this year’s North Carolina State Championship.  In an earlier playoff game against A.L.Brown, Jeff recorded 15 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and touchdown.  Jeff was also co-captain of the Charlotte Catholic Wrestling Team.

As Jeff begins to look to the future, he has his sights set on playing college rugby following graduation next year.  Football may also continue to be part of the equation.  Many local football coaches believe Jeff has the ability to earn a college football scholarship. With a 3.7 GPA in honors classes, Jeff offers a very attractive package to colleges.  He has a strong interest in architecture and will weight that into his college decision.

Thanks to rugby players like Jeff Levasseur, the sport is spreading in our area.  Each year brings more kids to the game, and Jeff couldn’t be happier.

“It’s great to see rugby spreading in South Charlotte.  It’s such a fun game and teamwork is so important.  I always try to talk people into giving rugby a chance.”

Congratulations to Jeff Levasseur, another local athlete competing on the national level!