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.

Online Learning
Join us for a series of online events!

The Online Learning Series offers WRCRA Members the opportunity to learn, network, and take valuable information back to your teams, clubs, and organizations. Webinars will be made available throughout the year.
Upcoming Events



LEADERSHIP UNLOCKED: Session 1 - Stories from the Leadership Pathway
This webinar is Session 1 of LEADERSHIP UNLOCKED and is designed for anyone ready to grow their leadership impact in women's rugby at any level - whether you're just stepping into responsibility or preparing for your next big role. In Stories from the Leadership Pathway, three influential leaders share how they carved out space, built pivotal positions and helped shape the direction of women's rugby in the USA.
Through honest stories and practical lessons, you'll see how leadership pathways are created, expanded and sustained and how your own journey can follow the same arc.
Perfect for players, coaches, administrators and anyone eager to lead with purpose, this conversation will leave you motivated, informed and ready to take your next step.
Our Moderator for this session will be Jami Jordan, Past Chair of the U.S. Women's Rugby Committee, with our group of panelists:
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Briana Floyd: Briana first discovered rugby while an undergraduate at Dartmouth College as a member of Dartmouth Women's Rugby Club. Several years after graduating, Dartmouth officially designated rugby as its 35th varsity sport, cultivating an impressive lineup of diverse multi-sport athletes, including two-time Olympian and bronze medalist Ariana Ramsey. Inspired by the potential rugby holds for athletes of color, Briana sought to model this trajectory in her local community. She is a former youth coach with Atlanta Youth Rugby, the current CFO of the Georgia SYRO, and a first-time founder serving as Executive Director of the newly launched Urban Rugby Atlanta, a member program of Urban Rugby America. Through Urban Rugby Atlanta, Briana introduces Atlanta's metro communities to the thrill of the game while centering trauma-responsive practices to leverage sport as a vehicle for social change.
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Wendy Young: Wendy Young is a long-time rugby advocate, media pioneer, and sports administrator who has been deeply involved in the growth of the women’s game since 2001. A former USA Eagles pool player and non-traveling World Cup reserve, Wendy played for the University of Oklahoma and the Austin Valkyries before building a versatile career across refereeing, coaching, governance, and broadcasting. She reached B Panel referee status, becoming the first woman to officiate a Men’s Division 1 match and a Men’s D1 Red River Conference Final in Texas. Recognized as the 2018 USA Rugby Female Referee Coach of the Year, Wendy later served as an MLR Referee Evaluator and Technical Zone Manager for international test matches. In governance, she spent over 15 years as the Texas Geographic Union Administrator and contributed to national governance through the USA Rugby Club Competitions Committee and various adhoc USA Rugby Club Committees. In 2006, Wendy launched Your Scrumhalf Connection (YSCRugby) to elevate women’s rugby coverage globally. Today, she is a leading voice in the sport, making history as the first female play-by-play commentator for Major League Rugby (MLR) and serving as the lead announcer for Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) as well as a commentator for World Rugby. Wendy is a member of the Oklahoma Rugby Hall of Fame, the Texas Rugby Referee Association Hall of Fame, and the Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame.
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Tamera ‘Tam' Breckenridge: Tam was a multi-sport athlete at Crescenta Valley High School in Glendale, California and then played basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where she was part of the 1978 National Championship team. Tam remained involved with the UCLA Athletics as an administrator for over 20 years including as Assistant Athletic Director-Compliance, working with all of UCLA’s then 22 men’s and women’s sports programs. When a shoulder injury derailed her basketball career, friends introduced her to rugby where she soon enjoyed success at the club level and beyond. She helped the Pacific Coast Grizzlies win the national all-star championships (ITTs) in 1991 and 1992 and Belmont Shore to a national senior club title in 1990. Tam represented the U.S., playing lock, from 1988-94 (Eagle #18), in eight international matches. She helped the Eagles capture the first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup title in 1991. Tam’s rugby administrator roles include: the Pacific RFU representative on the national women’s rugby committee, International-Athlete member of the USA Rugby Congress, USAR Associate College Director, USAR Women’s National Team Pathway Director, USAR Club Strategic Committee. Currently Tam is a member of the USAR Senior Club Council serving as the Chair of the Eligibility Committee. Breckenridge was inducted into the Crescenta Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame, her 1978 UCLA Bruin team is recognized in the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. The 1991 USA Women’s RWC team was inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017, with Tam inducted as a player into the 2020 US Rugby Hall of Fame. In 2025, she was honored by the USWRF with a 2025 USWRF Lifetime Achievement Award.
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
September 16, 2026
7:30pm Eastern
Past Events
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Get Rugby Strong: Developing Strength in Female High School & College Athletes
This webinar breaks down the physiology and strength training methods that matter most for rugby. Whether you’re coaching high school or collegiate athletes or you’re a rugby player training on your own, you’ll walk away with actionable tools you can use immediately in the weight room or on the practice pitch.
With effective drills that help you and your players hit harder, run faster and feel unstoppable, turn your training time into sessions that specifically and measurably build your strength and confidence on the pitch!
This webinar is for:
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High school rugby coaches
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College rugby coaches
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Senior club coaches
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Athletes at all stages
Facilitators
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Mary Swanstrom, MS, ATC, CAFS
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
June 17, 2026
7:30pm Eastern


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"Colleges Can Afford You!” Demystifying FAFSA, Financial Aid & College Pathways for Rugby Athletes
Across the country, high school athletes—especially girls and crossover athletes from other sports—are quietly stepping away from their dream of playing college rugby. Not because they lack talent, drive, or opportunity, but because they believe college is simply too expensive.
This webinar tackles the real issue: misinformation and confusion about financial aid.
If FAFSA and "need-blind" admissions are overwhelming, you're not alone! We’ll equip high school coaches, parents, and program leaders with the knowledge they need to confidently guide their athletes toward college pathways they can afford.
What You’ll Learn
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FAFSA, decoded: What’s changed, what matters, and what every family needs to know
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“Need-blind” admissions: What it actually means—and what it doesn’t
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Financial aid beyond scholarships: Grants, institutional aid, work-study, and hidden opportunities
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How to talk to athletes & families about affordability: Language that opens doors instead of shutting them
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Why rugby athletes are uniquely positioned for aid: Leadership, resilience, and the crossover advantage
Who Should Attend
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High school rugby coaches
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Youth program directors
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Parents of rugby athletes
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Girls from other sports exploring rugby as a college pathway
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Administrators, club leaders, and anyone supporting college-bound athletes
Why It Matters
Too many students are opting out before they even begin the process. With the right information, we can keep athletes in the pipeline, expand access, and ensure no one misses out on the college experience—or the rugby community—because of cost misconceptions.
Don’t let your athletes miss out on their dream college.
We can afford you.
Facilitators
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Laura Miller
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Sarah Lovely
Registration
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Members, Parents, & Students: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
May 20, 2026
7:30pm Eastern
Fueling the Future of Your Club: The Case for Becoming a 501(c)(3)

From Team to Pitch to Community Impact: The 501(c)(3) is a game changer for Women’s Rugby Clubs. Discover how nonprofit status can unlock funding, sponsorships, and long‑term stability for your club. Learn why more women’s rugby teams are formalizing their structure to grow the game and support their athletes. If your team wants more resources, more visibility, and more impact, this session is for you.
Facilitator
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Anne Schwaab, Managing Attorney and Team Lead at Consilio LLC, former President and former Secretary at North Shore Chicago, former Secretary of Rugby IL
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
February 26, 2026
7:30pm Eastern


Culture Counts Series: Finding Success Wearing Multiple Hats
Is Your Rugby Role Overwhelming at Times? Wearing too many hats? Join this discussion for concrete steps to streamline your multi-tasking and save your sanity.
Facilitators
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Tiffany Lopez
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
November 20, 2025
7:30pm Eastern


Culture Counts Series: Team Safety - not just on the pitch!
Join a discussion of how to improve trust and safety for your team in big and small ways.
Facilitators
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Mary Beth Mathews
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
October 29, 2025
7:30pm Eastern


Career Development - Ways to Stand Out in the Job Market
Looking for ways to improve your personal brand or make your job application package even more competitive? Look no further! Whether you are an athlete still in the game, in the midst of your transition beyond sport, or switching careers, this talk will give you the tools you need to make your next step!
Facilitators
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Lisa Kelly
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $25
September 30, 2025
8:00pm Eastern

Building Support for Collegiate Club Teams
This webinar is geared towards addressing the issues club sport coaches and team leaders have with their college administration related to lack of communication, financial support and professional development. Building on the wave of popularity and recognition of women's rugby as a positive and empowering sport following the USWNT 7s Bronze Medal at the Olympics, this session aims to listen to the issues raised in the Coaches Survey and create concrete steps to change the current dynamics between club rugby coaches and their college ADs and Presidents.
Facilitator
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $30
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EDT

Navigating the Rugby Administrative Maze
This webinar is geared towards understanding who to go to within your SRO, Conference, GU, or National Office to have your questions answered. It is for those individuals that are engaging in an administrative role at any level, from just starting out to seasoned veterans.
Facilitator
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $30
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. EDT

Culture Counts: Coaches on the Frontline
This will be an open discussion for shared learning about the ways in which culture touches all aspects of our teams and coaching. Now that the school year is over, we'll reflect on what worked, what needs improving, and ways to get off the hamster wheel and recharge before fall arrives.
Facilitator
Registration
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Members: Free
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Nonmembers: $30
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EDT
