2024 Naya Tapper Winners Announced
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - January 2, 2024 - USA Eagle and leading women’s all-time try scorer Naya Tapper and San Diego’s OMBAC Wallabies Youth Rugby Club are honored to announce the recipients of the first annual scholarship program to offer needs-based scholarships to returning players to the 2024-25 season.
The winners of the inaugural scholarship are Andre Gomez (U10), Amaya Santillan (U12), Lane Santillan (U14), Jacob Williamson (U14), Edward Tuala (U14), and Jacob Tuala (U14).
Scholarship recipients were handpicked by Tapper based on application information. Each scholarship will cover the costs of registration fees for the season.
Of the scholarship, she shares, “I started this scholarship because I want to be a part of and have an impact on the following generations of rugby players. I want to be able to prep them as much as I can to be able to reach their full potential. And most importantly, I never want a player to be hindered by financial struggles. Rugby has given so much to me in so many ways and I'm grateful for OMBAC for giving me an opportunity to give back the sport and all the people that are a part of it!”
Tapper’s idea for a season scholarship was inspired by a February 2022 visit to an OMBAC Wallabies practice. Tapper says, “I was invited to a practice by OMBAC and I had such an amazing and inspiring time. They had kids from age 5 up to age 16 playing rugby and it embodied what I dream of for the sport of rugby in the US. That day reassured me of what rugby could look like in the US and the importance of getting a rugby ball in a child's hands ASAP. I can only imagine the player I'd be if I had an organization like OMBAC to participate in.” View the video of Tapper’s time with the OMBAC Wallabies and her thoughts on playing rugby and encouraging more to join the sport: https://fb.watch/elpShIQh_E/
Albert Oriol, President of OMBAC Wallabies Youth Rugby says, “Naya has served as a tremendous inspiration to all of our club members, especially to our young women. Through her generosity and shared vision to continue to expand the sport, these scholarships will serve to create a pathway for even more children to grow their skills and love of the game.
“Naya’s gift will be truly life-changing for our young Wallabies, and she is an outstanding example in the importance of giving back to a sport we love; an important lesson for both young and old alike.”
Naya Tapper began her rugby career in 2012 when she played for her alma mater at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill after completing a promising career in track at her high school. An All-American athlete before stepping on to the rugby scene, Tapper’s abilities only advanced when she made her debut with the Women's Sevens at the 2016 Sao Paulo Sevens tournament.
One month later, Tapper also earned her first international cap with the Women's National Team (15s) against France at the Women's Super Series.
Finishing her year at the National All-Star Competition, Tapper returned to the Sevens Series scene at the start of the 2016-17 season where she finished second overall in tries and lead the Women’s Sevens to a record 6th place finish.
Following her remarkable performance in the HSBC Series, Tapper was selected to the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad where she helped her teammates reach the Semifinal. After a short break, she suited up once more for the 2017 Dubai Sevens Tournament where the Women’s Sevens took home silver medals.
Find out more at Nayatapper.com
The OMBAC Wallabies Youth Rugby club fields teams in seven age groups and divisions, ranging from U8s to U18s. All of our coaches are registered and certified through USA Rugby with the goal of providing a safe and fun environment to learn rugby and develop the fundamental skills necessary to be successful. OMBAC Rugby is the USA’s most decorated rugby club.
Learn more at ombacwallabies.com
