1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Meet our 2027
conference speakers
Speakers and information will be added as they are confirmed.
2027 Keynote Speakers & Presenters
Nancy Barnett is a Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and researcher at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University. Her areas of interest include developing and testing brief interventions for substance use among adolescents and young adults, as well as the influence of social networks on alcohol use, including how close peers can serve as effective bystanders in alcohol-risk situations. She has received multiple awards from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for her work. She serves on numerous scientific review committees for the Center for Scientific Review and NIAAA, and in various capacities for the Research Society on Alcoholism. She was a member of the National Advisory Council for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Nancy was a former US National Team Rower.
Anne Barry was the first woman CEO of the US Rugby Foundation (USRF). She was the first woman to serve as President and Treasurer of USAR. As President, she helped lead a remarkable growth in US rugby, including the acceptance of the sport by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the start of a national youth rugby development program, and the creation of the North American West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA). She increased funding to the USA Women's National Teams and created the Club and Individual Participation Program (CIPP). Anne is widely regarded as the most effective leader ever of USA rugby. She was also the General Manager USA Women's National Team from 2002-2006, President of the Minnesota Rugby Union and served on the Governing Council for the Women’s Premier League and the board of USRF. In 2024 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the USWRF.
Kevin Battle is the Director of Training & Education at USA Rugby, where he leads the national strategy to elevate how coaches and referees learn, grow, and contribute to the game. He was the USA Rugby Collegiate DI Commissioner and managed the USA Men's National Team during multiple World Cup campaigns. He has been the Director of Youth Rugby Initiatives for the MLR, the Chief Executive Officer for Rugby LA, the Director of Rugby Operations for Team Giltinis, the Director and Head Coach of the Santa Barbara National Development Academy. Kevin is currently a driving force behind Urban Rugby America, an initiative to introduce and grow rugby among marginalized youth in urban areas.
Barb Bond co-captained the United States women's national team to victory at the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991. Her international career spanned the 1980s and 1990s, during which she earned 19 caps for the USA Eagles. Following her triumphant 1991 campaign, Bond continued to compete at the highest level, participating in both the 1994 and 1998 Women's Rugby World Cups. Barb led the Bay Area SheHawks (BASH to four national championships. Her talents also took her overseas, where she played professionally for St Orens Rugby Feminin in Toulouse, France, and helped the team secure a French national title. After retiring from competitive play in 1998, Bond became an emergency physician.
Megan Braun is a rugby disciplinary leader, educator, and administrator whose work spans club, professional, and international rugby. She serves as Head of Discipline for USA Rugby Senior Club Council and Vice President of Discipline & Compliance for Midwest Rugby, overseeing disciplinary matters, grievances, and compliance. She was the first Community Judicial Officer for USA Rugby and is a World Rugby and USA Rugby Educator for the Community Judicial Officer program. She was also a co-creator of the Community Judicial Officer disciplinary education program, helping establish a national framework for training and developing rugby disciplinary personnel.
Sylvia Braatan is the Head Coach of the Twin City Gemini and a performance and recovery coach with the U.S. Women’s National 15s team. She is the former Associate Head Coach of Women's Rugby at Harvard University.
Sylvia was a member of the 2014 and 2017 U.S. World Cup teams and competed in the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.
Emilie Bydwell is USA Women’s 7s Head Coach, Olympic Bronze Medal Head Coach, Paris 2024 and former High Performance Director for USA Rugby. She was the first woman to serve as the Head Coach of any Olympic Team. Emilie was the 2009 USAR College player of the year. She was a member of multiple USWNT 15s and 7s teams, participating in the 2010 World Cup. She was one of the first players in the 7s residency program, a member of the 2013 Women’s World Cup team and 2014 Women’s World Cup 15s squad. She was named USA Rugby Coach of the Year in 2016. She coached three consecutive USA Rugby Club 7s National Championship teams with Atavus Academy in 2017 and the San Diego Surfers in 2018 and 2019.
.
Martha Daines is the Head of Player Systems and Development (Women) for USA Rugby. She is also a U.S. Rugby/World Rugby Coach Trainer and the Head Coach, Metropolis Valkyries. Martha was the former coach for the USWNT, USA U23s, USA ‘A’/Collegiate All-Americans, U.S. U18s; Midwest Select Side, University of Minnesota, and Macalester College.
A former U.S. WNT player, Martha received the USWRF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023
.
Karameli Fa'ae'e is the Head Coach of Princeton Women’s Rugby, and former Assistant Coach at Brown University. She was the first woman coach in U.S. men's professional rugby when she took the position as assistant coach with Rugby United New York, a Major League Rugby expansion team. In 2017, she captained the US Women’s World Team in Ireland, where the US finished fourth. A native of New Zealand, she played for the New Zealand Rugby League Selection Squad in 2014, and the Samoan Women’s Rugby League Team in 2011. In 2014 and 2017, she was the team captain of the WPL New York Rugby Club. In addition to serving as the Head Coach at Life West, she has been the Program Director at ROOTS Rugby, the Youth Program Director at the New York Rugby Club, and the Head Coach of men's and women’s rugby at Monroe College in New York and coach of the PR7’s New York Locals and 7’s coach for the New York Athletic Club.
Annemarie Farrell is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Stonehill College. Before that, she was usan associate professor of sport management for 18 years at Ithaca College. Her research interests include ‘spectator motivations regarding women’s sports, notably among female sport fans.’ Anne Marie has been a manager of the U.S. women’s national team and has coached rugby teams at Mount Holyoke College, Denison University, and Cornell University. She spent 15 years as head coach for Ithaca College men’s rugby. She is a Level 3 certified coach, rugby referee, and World Rugby Educator. She was the co-manager of the Boston Banshees (WER)
David Fee is the Head Coach of the Chicago Lions Women’s 15s and 7s teams (7s National Champions 2023 & 2025). He was a member of 2003 Rugby World Cup 15s Team, Captain of 2005 Rugby 7s World Cup Team. He is the Head Coach of USA U18 7s, USA 7s Pan American Games Team Leader 2019 & 2023, USA u18 Youth Olympic Games Asst. Coach 2018, USA U23 7s Rugby Town Staff and Chair of the USA Club Rugby 7s.
Jack Hanratty
is the Head Coach of USA Rugby Women’s 15s. He is the former Olympic Silver Medal Head Coach, Rugby Canada, Paris 2024.
Jack has held a number of positions with rugby Canada including, Head Coach of U20 Women’s Team and U18 Mens Team.
.
Katherine Henry is the Head of Pro Health and Wellness at League One Volleyball (LOVB). Prior to LOVB, Katherine was the Director of Medical Services at PR 7s, the Director of Content and Coaching for MAX Sports Health, and Head Athletic Trainer for US Rugby Women’s 15s program. She has been the Head Athletic Trainer for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby, an athletic trainer for USA Rugby with the Women’s 15s program and the medical director for Beantown Women’s Rugby (WPL). She also has Division 1 and 3 experience with soccer, softball, football and many other sports, as well as comprehensive experience with high school athletes and adolescents and adults who are completely new to exercise.
Jo Hull is Head of Women’s High Performance at USA Rugby. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Rugby Union and Head of Women’s High Performance. She was the High-Performance Manager for Women’s Rugby in the Scottish Rugby Union and Head Coach of the St Alberts Mens Team.
.
Erin Kennedy is the CEO and President of Girls Rugby Inc., is a non-profit organization that provides flag rugby for girls in grades K-8 using a values-based curriculum. She is the Regional Development Manager for Rugby Americas North. She is a consultant with Rugby Canada, working with all Canadian Provincial Rugby Unions to help develop mass participation programs including Rookie Rugby, Try on Rugby, Adult Flag Rugby, Beach Rugby. In 2015 she was a Program Coordinator for the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games.
Kristin Kirshe is a two time Olympian, and Bronze Medalist in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Captain of the USA Women’s Rugby 7s Team.
Liz Kirk is the Head Coach, Seattle Women’s Rugby, Director of Women’s Rugby, Seattle Rugby Club since 2018. Select side coaching included roles as assistant coach for Pacific Coast Grizzlies (2002-2004), US Women's U23 Team (2000-2004), US Women’s Senior Side (2006, 2016-2017). Liz was a US Women’s National Team Player from 1996-2003 (1998 and 2002 World Cup, 23 Caps). She is Professor in the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health program and Associate Dean for Education, School of Public Health at the University of Washington.
Danita Knox is the Founder, Board Chair, and President of the USWRF. She 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.
Megan Lamke: Central Regional Ambassador, US Rugby Foundation; Coach, Hopkins Rugby Club; Board Member, Youth Rugby Initiative; Board Member, Minnesota Youth Rugby
Sybil Levine is a member of the Minnesota Rugby Referee Society. She is a Women’s Elite Rugby referee and has represented USA Rugby at national and international competitions. She helps run the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Leadership Endowment.
Sam Lovett is a noted rugby content creator who has worked with World Rugby, Tiktok Six Nations, Guinness Six Nations, HSBC SEVENS series, AEG Rugby, PR7s, the US Rugby Foundation, Ball Carrier and WXV; Vice President of Oklahoma City Crusaders; Member, Oklahoma City Mountain Boomers and Gypsy Rugby Club.
Diego Maquieira is the Head Coach of the New York Exiles WER franchise. He was the head coach for the WPL’s New York Rugby Club, as well as served as the Forward Coach at Columbia University for the Men’s Rugby Football Club and Assistant Coach for the Old Blue Women and U23 Men’s 7s. In his first season with NYRC women, he guided the team to a national semi-final. Diego played for multiple MLR franchises.
Mollie Martin is a Minnesota-based strength and conditioning coach and Activate instructor with nearly a decade of experience in rugby-specific athlete development. She has served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach Educator for USA Rugby since 2016 and has been a World Rugby Activate Instructor since 2019.Mollie's background includes work as head S&C coach for a men's elite rugby club in San Diego, and a full-time internship with the Newport Gwent Dragons (PRO14). She has also worked as an S&C coach with Twin Cities Orthopedics' Training HAUS and currently runs her own private training business, Fitness by Mollie. She also is an assistant coach and S&C for the U23 Mid-Atlantic All-Stars.
Ben Pahulu is the President of the Wolverines Rugby Club, a member of the Nor Cal SRO, and a member of the Rugby Nor Cal disciplinary committee. For the last 20 years, he's been active in youth groups in his community, giving back his time as a mentor and coach. Since 2013, the Wolverines have won over 15 Rugby Nor Cal High School and Middle School championships in both 15's and 7's including the 2024 High School Boys and Girls National Championship Tier 2.
Tamara Sheppard is the Manager of men’s and women’s high-performance rugby for the U.S. Before assuming the position at USAR, she was the High-Performance Director with Swimming Australia. She was the architect of one of Swimming Australia’s most successful Olympic campaigns ever during the Tokyo games in 2021.
Tamara began her career in rugby with Queensland Rugby Union as a State Administration Manager, facilitating strategic planning and competition development across the region.
.
Hannah Stolba is the Head Coach, Bay Area Breakers (WER) team and Head Coach, Berkeley All Blues WPL Rugby; Head Coach, Pacific Coast U23s; Previously - Skills Coach, Otago Rugby Club, NZ; Former Head Coach, Glendale Merlins D1 Rugby; Former Assistant Coach, Stanford Rugby; Former Assistant Coach, University of Colorado; Player, USWNT U23 Team, USWNT Senior Women 15s (2010 and 2014 World Cup); player, El Salvador, División de Honor, Spain; Otago, FPC, New Zealand; Glendale Merlins, Berkeley All Blues, Metropolis Valkyries, WPL.
Jenn Stratton is a Director and Vice President of the USWRF, and 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.
Andrea Wensits is the Executive Director of Memphis Inner City Rugby
Kate Zackary: 2x Rugby World Cup Captain, USA Women's Eagles (2021, 2025); 3x Rugby World Cup Player