Jennie Redner

Jennie is one of the true ‘founders of women’s rugby’. A talented player, referee and administrator, Jennie holds many ‘firsts’. She was the founder of the Michigan State Women’s Rugby Team and the first woman to hold a level B referee certification. She was the chair of the Women’s Committee, the President of the Midwest women’s RFU, early contributor to Rugby Magazine covering women’s rugby. Founder and committee member of the Midwest Women’s Referee Society.  She was the Tournament Director for the first 3, Women’s Rugby National Championships. Most notably, she created, maintained and published the first national mailing list of women’s clubs in the US. Her list enabled teams to connect, schedule matches and grow womens rugby.

Positions: Lock, flanker, #8

Teams: Michigan State University (‘76-80), Chicago Women (‘80-82), Midwest Select (‘79-80)

Coach: Coach, Detroit WRFC (‘82-83)

Referee: Michigan RFU Referee Society (‘82-83), First woman in the Midwest to referee a sanctioned (assigned by a referee society) men’s rugby match. Chicago Area RFU Referee Society (‘83-90), First woman referee in the Midwest to achieve a “B” grade (B-3), Southern California RFU Referee Society (‘91-92)

Administrative: ‘79-82: Chair, USARFU Women’s Committee

‘81-83: Tournament Director, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Women’s Rugby National Championships

‘82-85: Secretary/Treasurer, Midwest RFU Referee Society

‘87-91: Secretary, USARFU Referees & Laws Committee

‘82-91 Published referee newsletters and maintained an address list of the nation’s referees.

Most notably, she created, maintained and published the first national mailing list of women’s clubs in the US. Her list enabled teams to connect, schedule matches and grow womens rugby.