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Who We Are

Mission

USWRF is committed to the growth of girls’ and women’s rugby through the advancement of coaches, referees, and administrators.

 

Vision

A world where girls and women are assured access, voice, and agency to leverage the benefits of rugby and be part of a healthy community on and off the pitch.

 

Core Values

  • Integrity in advancing the sport of girls’ and women’s rugby

  • Open and trusting relationships are the core of everything we do

  • Dedication to purpose-driven work and the vision “to leave the jersey in a better place”

  • Empowering girls and women

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How We Support

We provide professional development opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators at all levels. 

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We create an immersive experience, helping to identify career pathways and support for our rugby community.

 

We honor and recognize those who built the game and those who continue to advocate for change in the world of rugby.

 

Building a community is our foundation. Our members are local, regional, national and global influencers in the sport of rugby around the world.  By leveraging these connections, we’re able to provide supportive resources, host annual events and bring athletes together – no matter where they reside.   

Board of Directors

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Danita Knox

Founder, Board Chair

USWRF President

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Danita Knox is a Global Product Specialist for Hitachi Energy, managing the Transformer Services Maintenance, Commissioning, Training & Parts portfolio with degrees in engineering and international business. Danita has spent over 40 years rugby in leadership roles at club, local and national levels including USA Rugby Board & Congress, USA Rugby South and Georgia Rugby Union boards, and Atlanta Harlequins
President. She coached the Atlanta Bucks and played for the USA Rugby South All-Stars, Atlanta Harlequins and Clemson University. Her underlying passion and supporting work have been to support and drive the women’s game forward.

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Lisa Durham

Board Vice Chair

Vice President

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Lisa is the owner and CEO of Whodathunkit, LLC, a restaurant and real-estate development company.  She served on the NFLYET(Boys and Girls Club) for 10 years before joining the USWRF board.  Lisa played with the Atlanta Valkyries and Atlanta Harlequins during her 20-year playing career. She has a BS in Psychology from Georgia State University.

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Kerri Heffernan

WRCRA Chair

Vice President

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Kerri is the chair of WRCRA and a USWRF Board member. She was the Director of Engaged Sport at Brown University, Associate Director of the Swearer Center for Public Service and Faculty in Education. She coached the Brown women’s team from 2001-2013, during which Brown reached the "Round of 4" four times, produced eight national team players, 19 All Americans and two World Cup players. Kerri played for Beantown RFC 1981-1990, Houston Heathen Hearts 1980-1981 and FSU 1977-1980. She was also a member of the US Women's National Team from 1987-1989. She has a BA from FSU and an Ed. D from Boston University. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

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Suzi Rosen

Founder, Director

Treasurer

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Suzi owns Fit Forever Consultants, which specializes in the health and fitness needs of seniors. She was player/captain/coach of the National Champions FSU Women’s Rugby 1974-1983; Co-coach Beantown RFC 1989-1990; Head Coach of USA Rugby East Women’s Select Side 1985-1991; and a member of the WIVERN Tour. Her education includes: MPT from University of St. Augustine Health Sciences; MS in Leisure Services and BS in Physical Education both from FSU.

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Mary Money

Director

Secretary

 

With a career in food & beverage, Mary is a consultant serving the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry. Mary was the first Hooker for US Eagles. She founded the Tufts University team in 1978 and played for/coached Beantown RFC 1980-1986 and Atlanta Harlequins 1987-1990.  She was a member of the New England Select Side, the Eastern Rugby Union Select, WIVERN Tour and US Women’s National Team 1987-1990. She played for her beloved Olde Girls, from 1996 to 2019, but has now traded in her cleats for running shoes, doing marathons and triathlons. “Mamie” is now a grandmother of 1.5 ruggers in training. 

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Bev Armstrong

Director

Vice President

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Bev is Founder/CEO of Brazo Fuerte Artisanal Beer. She formerly was in senior management in the biotech industry, including CFO, CCO, GC and VP Operations-Administration. She has played for Beantown RFC, NRU Select Side and Atlantis 7s, currently playing for the Olde Girls. She also has been a member of US Women's National Team player pools and a reserve for 7s Hong Kong. Bev received a JD/MBA from Harvard University and was named to the Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” leaders list.

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Amy Shopkorn

Director

Vice President

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Amy serves as the Executive Vice President of NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She has spent her professional career in business operations roles within organizations that serve higher education. Amy played rugby at Bowdoin College and co-founded the BWRFC Alumni Network. She also served as an assistant coach for the American University Women's Rugby Team 2006-2012 and co-coordinated the DC Furies Ruggerfest Tournament in 2009 and 2010. Finally, Amy has helped support the growth of organizations within the rugby community including The Rugger's Edge and Polar Bear Rugby Camp at Bowdoin College.

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Jenn Stratton

Director

Vice President

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Jenn is an Associate Director with Sellers Dorsey, working in Medicaid financing. With almost
15 years of rugby administration experience, Jenn currently serves on the boards of National Collegiate
Rugby and Rugby Pennsylvania, and previously served as the President of the Eastern Pennsylvania
Rugby Union (EPRU). In 2022, Jenn also re-started the Cumberland Valley High School Girls Rugby Club.
She started playing at Penn State University in 2005 and played with the Keystone Women’s Rugby Club
and the Harrisburg Women’s Rugby Club through 2021.

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MaryBeth Mathews

Director

Vice President

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MaryBeth Mathews has been a pioneer and leader for girl's and women’s rugby as a player, coach, and administrator for 40+ years. A player for Beantown and the ERU Territory, she co-founded Portland WRFC. A design career in active sports apparel at L.L.Bean overlapped her move into coaching at Bowdoin College. During her 29 year career as Bowdoin's head coach, MaryBeth led Bowdoin’s NCAA designation in 2002-03, while also serving in student affairs and coaching Maine U-23, NERFU U-23 and NRU U-23 teams. She served on the USAR Women’s Strategic Committee, Collegiate Board, and was President of ACRA, where the fall 15’s championship season was introduced in 2014. In 2012, Mathews launched and still runs the top-ranked Polar Bear Rugby Camp for girls and women hosted at Bowdoin College. Mathews holds a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Adult & Higher Education, and lives in Portland, Maine.    

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MaryBeth Mathews

Director

Vice President

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MaryBeth Mathews has been a pioneer and leader for girl's and women’s rugby as a player, coach, and administrator for 40+ years. A player for Beantown and the ERU Territory, she co-founded Portland WRFC. A design career in active sports apparel at L.L.Bean overlapped her move into coaching at Bowdoin College. During her 29 year career as Bowdoin's head coach, MaryBeth led Bowdoin’s NCAA designation in 2002-03, while also serving in student affairs and coaching Maine U-23, NERFU U-23 and NRU U-23 teams. She served on the USAR Women’s Strategic Committee, Collegiate Board, and was President of ACRA, where the fall 15’s championship season was introduced in 2014. In 2012, Mathews launched and still runs the top-ranked Polar Bear Rugby Camp for girls and women hosted at Bowdoin College. Mathews holds a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Adult & Higher Education, and lives in Portland, Maine.    

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Amy Marks

Director

USWRF Chair of Corporate Sponsorships

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As SVP of Innovation at Compass Datacenters, Amy is transforming the built environment by pioneering industrialized methods, digital innovation, and sustainable practices. She leads Compass’ innovation strategies, aligning them with the company’s Strategic Anchors to drive change in construction and design while fostering collaboration across industries. Amy is a strong advocate for advancing the industry through diverse talent and cutting-edge solutions, positioning Compass at the forefront of innovation. With more than 20 years of experience, Amy was a VP at Autodesk, and CEO of XSite Modular. In these roles, she spearheaded strategic initiatives for the largest global companies, led digital transformation and sustainability efforts, and set industry standards in industrialized construction, earning the nickname “Queen of Prefab.” In addition to her role at Compass, Amy is a sought-after keynote speaker and chairperson at conferences around the world, focusing on business transformation, prefabrication, and sustainability. She is the chairman and ambassador of the Advancing Prefabrication show, and in 2024, she was named the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Construction Woman of the Year.  She strives to connect her industry with the rugby community to increase diversity and inclusion. Amy holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida and is an alumna of Harvard Business School. She played tighthead prop at the University of Florida, Northshore WRFC, and Morris Rugby. Her daughter Mackenzie has followed in her footsteps and is a prop for Morris HS Girls, EIRA, EGRL, PR 7s Rise, Atlantis, and attends USA Development Camp for the U18.  

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