For many athletes, the path to the USA National Rugby 7s team is anything but straightforward. Alyssa Porter’s journey was even less conventional. A former sprinter and basketball player, she found rugby later than most and had to navigate unfamiliar terrain. But with raw speed, determination, and an unexpected opportunity through Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s), she carved her way to the top.
A natural athlete with talent and dedication, Porter credits PR7s as the key to unlocking her journey to the national team.
From Track and Basketball to Rugby
Porter was a high school basketball player and a collegiate sprinter. Though she had friends who played rugby and had watched a few games, she never considered playing until after college. Her partner encouraged her to try the sport to satisfy her competitive drive, so in 2022, she joined the Portland Pigs, a Division II club in Oregon.
Her speed and endurance made an immediate impact, but she had much to learn. Still, her athleticism stood out—a sprinter’s stride, an endless motor, and the ability to cover ground effortlessly. That potential led her to PR7s open tryouts.
“It was a tryout where anybody could come and try out, and they said, ‘just see what happens.’”
Amid a move to Charlotte in 2023, Porter attended a PR7s tryout in North Carolina. She impressed the scouts and earned a spot with the Southern Headliners for the summer season.
A Crash Course in Elite Rugby
Porter was still new to the sport when she joined PR7s, but the fast-paced competition accelerated her development.
“It was challenging, especially to have just a little bit of play at the club level before jumping up and playing a quicker game—where everybody knows the game,” she said. “I think I was trying to figure out where I fit, and even now I am trying to figure it out; it’s still early in my career.”
What she did know was that she was fast. PR7s helped her understand the pace of play and the need to process the game at high speed.
“For the most part, it’s go-go-go, so you have to learn how to read situations quicker,” she explained. Playing against top competition forced her to adapt defensively. “You’re having to learn how to defend people who know how to stiff-arm better, know how to juke people more. So how can I read their cues to stop them from scoring?”
She learned some lessons the hard way.
“There are other quick people who play rugby as well,” she said with a laugh, recalling a moment against fellow USA 7s Eagle and PR7s athlete Ariana Ramsey. “I got burned by Ari one of the times. I learned a lot of lessons on how I can control the situation a little better.”
Fortunately, Porter had veteran teammates to guide her. PR7s star and Olympian Alena Olsen helped her find her place on the field.
“She really tried to figure out, ‘where can we put you to benefit you and us,’” Porter said.
She also gained insight from USA star Naya Tapper, who has been a face for PR7s prior to her retirement from the game. “She was great. She told me a little bit about her background and was always available. It was really cool to get to work with them in my beginning stages of rugby.”
Taking the Next Step
Porter showed flashes of potential during the 2023 PR7s season and decided to keep pushing forward. USA coach Irene Gardner invited her to High Performance camps and advised her to seek more playing opportunities.
Determined to improve, Porter went to Spain to play club rugby, where she gained valuable experience in a lower-pressure environment.
“We played 18 games in three weeks—a lot of rugby in a short amount of time! And I got to try things where I was like, ‘I know I need to learn how to do this, now I have a chance,’” she said. “It was really great. I got a lot more confidence in the game.”
She focused on her breakdown play and creating space to beat defenders. Returning to the U.S., she joined the Washington Athletic Club team in Seattle, competing in the national club championships.
“I just got so much more confident on the field and in myself,” she said. Her progress earned her a call-up to the USA 7s team, where she has since showcased her speed, adaptability, and relentless work ethic.
Leaving It All on the Field
Porter’s impact was evident against Canada in Perth, where she chased down a breakaway runner. Though Canada still scored, her effort nearly prevented the try.
“I want to do well not just for myself but my team, and I want to make Emilie [Bydwell] proud,” she said. “I want to leave everything out there every game. And I want to feel like I’ve worked as hard as I could have worked for my team. I remember that play in the Canada game, and it was another learning experience for me. But I don’t want to leave a game knowing I could have done more.”
That mindset will keep her in the national team mix. But she also remains aware of what made her journey possible.
“Without PR7s and without that open tryout, I don’t think I would be here [with the USA team],” she admitted. “It was a big stepping stone in even my decision to want to continue rugby in that way. When we moved, there really wasn’t a big rugby scene in North Carolina. I don’t know if I would have been able to pursue playing even at a lower level. I’d probably be working at an engineering job and be with my partner, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but how many can say they are pursuing a passion in sports? I don’t want to take this for granted at all.”
