Dons' Summer Highlights - Rocco Balistreri '24

Rocco Balistreri '24 attended the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) rugby camp in Palmerston, New Zealand this July. Rocco represented the Dons as one of the few Americans attending this camp, which featured players from all around the globe. Rocco shares that he was able to attend this camp due to the efforts of Cathedral Catholic's rugby coach, Glenn Irvine, and that this was a significant step on his journey to playing college rugby:

"Coach Glenn pushed me to apply to the IRANZ rugby camp and supported me through the application process. He is the reason I was able to have this life-changing, memorable experience. It was an honor to represent the Dons while having an amazing time bettering my game so I can come back and make our team better. I was named a starter on the camp’s selected team and learned from some of the rugby greats! I was coached, trained and mentored by NZ All Black greats including Murray Mexted, Doug Howlett, Ma'a Nonu, Peri Weepu and Dave Ellis. This was an amazing opportunity that will definitely set me up for a more successful future with the game."
 

Rocco (center) passes the ball with his rugby camp peers. One of the peers is wearing a Cathedral Catholic rugby jersey, as players gifted each other their team's jerseys to take back home.

Ma'a Nonu, one of the best players to ever play in Rocco's position of inside center, coached Rocco on tackling.

Rocco ran many 40-meter splits as part of his training for the camp.

In addition to being heavily involved with the Cathedral Catholic rugby program, Rocco is also a varsity football player and devotes much of his time to his studies. History is Rocco's favorite subject.