The first rugby sevens players to represent the United States in the Olympic Games are most likely in high school or college now. Some, perhaps, have not even played the sport yet.

It is this knowledge that shapes much of the long-term planning for USA Rugby in the aftermath of the October decision to add rugby sevens to the program for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.

"We recognize that the sevens players in 2016 are actually in high school right now," said Nigel Melville, CEO and director of USA Rugby. "We have an All-American high school and All-American college program. That's where the nucleus is. We're looking at player development."

And player recruitment.

"We do believe the possibility of becoming an Olympic athlete is something that will appeal to athletes in other sports," Melville said. "Maybe a guy currently playing football will think beyond high school and college to when he will not be playing any more.

"Maybe a guy playing lacrosse or handball right now will fit. We have some former football players and some sprinters who think rugby could be their sport."

Women's coach Sue Parker said players from rugby union, in which teams have 15 players on a side, can also make the transition once they realize the fitness level and speed that are emphasized with seven on a side.

"There's an array of sports where I believe the skills can translate well," Parker said. "Basketball, lacrosse, soccer and field hockey and track and field with the speed, particularly in the multiple-event athlete.

"We've even had a few water polo and softball players who have translated well, but the first five I think are the most likely."

USA Rugby is going through the behind-the-scenes business processes of becoming an official part of the U.S. Olympic Committee. The current national teams are trying to compete on the highest level possible. All of this has to happen while the program looks forward to the Olympic future, along with the other countries that are also trying to be ready when rugby sevens makes its debut in the world's most famous multiple-sport festival.

Melville, along with Parker and men's coach Al Caravelli, is blending developing the national team with selling the sport. That sell has to be geared both to the public, which they hope will provide support, and to the athletes that they hope to recruit.

"We're looking for a little more media interest and more sponsor interest," Melville said. "You always are. You've got to let people see it, maybe get it on TV more."

The International Olympic Committee was sold on the pitch from the faster version of the game that is played with seven players on each side. With seven players on a team occupying the same space that had been covered by 15, the game is opened up for more speed and athleticism.

Parker said USA Rugby will join with Athletic Republic on a series of sessions that will test athletes and try to identify those best suited to potentially advance to the point of playing rugby on an international level.

"We're not going to limit it," Parker said. "When looking at 2016, you're given the age range of about 17 through 25 or 26 as of right now. But, younger and older will not be excluded."

Although the final rules of competition might be altered, right now Team USA has to be prepared to be in the top 12 in the world in order to qualify for the first Olympic field.

"Given the resources that some countries will put in, that could become very difficult," Parker said. "But if we put the effort into it, we can be medal winners."

Parker, who was the women's coach at the U.S. Naval Academy for eight years, has experience working with younger talent after coaching the developmental team and Under-23 team in international play.

"We just finished a national team camp in early October down in Florida," she said. "We're very excited about our younger group.

"We want to help them develop in the four areas they need-tactically, technically, physically and mentally. Most of their time is on their own, so we want to show them what they need to continue the process to become world-class rugby sevens players in between the time we are together as a team."

As the national teams prepare for the start of their tournament season in Dubai in December, they will make their first connection with the USOC. Practice will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

"We're starting to look at opportunities to use the expertise of USOC in areas like strength and conditioning and nutrition," Melville said. "Facilities like the Olympic training center are helpful. Facilities have always been a little bit of a problem for us."

Both coaches expect the USA Rugby and USOC to fit well together. Parker points out that becoming part of the USOC helps put the finishing touches on plans that were already in place as USA Rugby grew and the sport pointed toward Olympic inclusion.

"When you have a professional organization, it's not a problem," Caravelli said. "Professionalism, I always tell our players, is not defined by the financing or how much you are paid, but demeanor, state of mind and approach.

"As we have more contact with the USOC, I think everyone will understand that."

While USA Rugby prepares for its future the entire sport will be making adjustments in an anticipation of the Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro.

"A 12-team tournament for sevens is unique," Melville said. "Generally, it's 16 teams. The question is who the 12 will be-or who the 11 will be if you assume Brazil is in. Right now, our women are around third or fourth and our men's team is more ranked around 10, 11 or 12."

Teams could move up or down in the rankings and the processes could go through adjustments.

"We will have to qualify for the Americas and you don't know how many will qualify," Melville said. "The qualification process is going to be hotly debated. When you start looking at the rest of the world, Russia and China have shown more interest in rugby recently."

As an Olympic sport, the perception of rugby sevens can be expected to continue to change around the world.

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Tom Robinson is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of any National Governing Bodies.

Tags: Nigel Melville, Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, Rugby sevens, Sue Parker, USA Rugby, USOC