Category: Midwest D-1

Division 1 League Schedule Announced

We are excited to announce the official release of our fall Division 1 league schedule! In the next few weeks we will also announce friendly matches as they are scheduled.

As usual, all home games are played at the Rugby Sports Complex in Cottage Grove, Wis. Field locations for away games and times for all games will be announced closer to match dates. Visit our Schedule page for more updated information. If you will be in the area for a given game, please stop by to cheer on the WWRFC!

Aug. 27, 2016: Home, alumni game (non-league), Cottage Grove, WI
Sept. 10, 2016: Home vs. Detroit Women, Cottage Grove, WI
Sept. 17, 2016: Away vs. Minnesota Valkyries, MN
Sept. 24, 2016: Away vs. Chicago North Shore, Chicago, IL
Oct. 1, 2016: Open
Oct. 8, 2016: Open
Oct. 15, 2016: Home vs. Chicago Women, Cottage Grove, WI
Oct. 22, 2016: Away vs. Detroit Women, Detroit, MI
Oct. 29, 2016, Home vs. Minnesota Valkyries, Cottage Grove, WI

Head Coach Wanted – Compensation Available

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team is currently seeking a head coach starting in August 2016. We have been back-to-back National Finalists in Division 2 the last 2 years, including winning the National Championship in 2015. In the fall we will begin Division 1 league play in the Midwest, making us the only Division 1 team in Wisconsin.

• We are looking for someone who is able to help our club continue to grow and develop at the D1 level and help our players advance competitively.

• No previous coaching experience is required, but is valued.

• Level 200 coaching certification is required, the team will pay for your USA Rugby coaching certification course if needed.

• Minimum attendance at 1 practice a week and most games on Saturdays (Ideally, 2 practices per week and all games).

• Coaching roles include planning and leading team practices in season, developing overall team strategy and game plans, working with team leaders to select game-day rosters and providing feedback to players to help them develop their skills.

• Compensation includes payment of match related travel and a stipend.

• Other details of position are negotiable with team leadership.

Our 2016-2017 competitive schedule runs from late August to late October and March to early June and will include games against teams in Chicago, Twin Cities and Detroit. We practice twice a week on Monday and Wednesday at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex from 5:45 pm-7:45 pm.

We return a hard-working roster with lots of potential looking to prove ourselves at the Division 1 level.

Interested applicants should email the team at ww_rfc@yahoo.com with contact information, rugby history, and why you’re interested.

Please help our team climb to the next level.

Midwest Division 1 Will Be New Home for Wisconsin Women

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The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team will be returning to Division 1 competition in the Midwest Rugby Union starting this Fall 2016.

With direction of the Midwest and an approval vote of our active club membership, our team will be climbing up to Division 1 and we look forward to the many opportunities and challenges this will provide us.

We will be recruiting heavily this summer to help our team grow into a strong D1 club and welcome all new players to contact us to join the team.

We look forward to league matches against our D1 Midwest friends and still scheduling regular friendlies against the many awesome D2 teams we’ve battled with the past few years.

Thank you also to all of our alumni, family, and friends for your continued support!

Wisconsin Plays Up, Beats D1 Minnesota Valkyries 62-37

The Midwest Division 2 women’s spring playoffs are looming and the Wisconsin Women opted to gauge themselves against a higher-division opponent April 9 to test their mettle.

Wisconsin traveled to the Division 1 Minnesota Valkyries, an opponent who holds several wins against the team throughout competitive history. In a sign of the ever-changing nature of rugby parity though, it was Wisconsin who knocked out a dominating 62-37 victory on the road against the Valks.

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Wisconsin scrum versus Minnesota Valkyries. And Wisconsin’s awesome new gray jerseys!

The win marked Wisconsin’s first against the Valks in at least 13 years, if not more, according to one WWRFC alum. Both teams previously competed regularly against each other in Division 1 before league realignments saw the Valks move up to the Women’s Premier League and later back down to D1, as Wisconsin moved down to D2 and a more natural fit for the smaller city of Madison.

The friendly match saw both teams mix up their rosters with starters and developmental players. But Wisconsin’s outside speed and forward continuity proved too much for the rebuilding Valkyries.

Speedy Wisconsin wing Felicia Carlson notched points on the scoreboard first with a try. The ensuing restart saw outside center Bree Valenza slip past the Minnesota defense to set up wing Justine Wypych for Wisconsin’s next try in the early minutes of the match. Conversions were unsuccessful and Wisconsin held an early 10-0 lead.

The Valks rallied back with a try of their own by former UW-Whitewater and Wisconsin Women’s alum Kristen “Ham” Zdanczewicz, a longtime USA Eagle, leading the valks at inside center. The visiting team continued to build the lead however. Wisconsin’s Grace Hovde cleared a successful penalty kick to make it 13-5 before Valenza scored her second try, followed by a Hovde run setting up Carlson for her second try to make it 27-5.

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Wisconsin scrumhalf Kris Peterson tacklers Valkyrie inside center Kristen “Ham” Zdanczewicz, a former Wisconsin and USA Eagle alum.

The Valks didn’t fold as their #8 capitalized on a penalty play from 10 meters our to make it a 27-10 scoreline. Wisconsin’s outside speed couldn’t be matched though as fans saw Wypych earn her second try and improve the scoreboard to 34-10 for Wisconsin.

Scoring notes got a bit fuzzy as the cold set in for sideline statisticians, but further back and forth scoring saw Wisconsin maintain the lead at 42-20 around the 50-minute mark.

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Wisconsin wins the ruck on offense. Minnesota not challenging much.

Wisconsin vet Kris Peterson, playing at scrumhalf, earned points for the team after shiftily breaking though the defense. A few cheap shots from the home team saw them earn a yellow card after a later hit on Wypych after she scored another try. Wisconsin tighthead Melissa “Helga” Pohleber punished the opposition with a big break to set up fullback Ashley Shaw to make it 57-20. Scoring continued as Peterson set up Carlson with an easy try to make it 67-20.

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No. 9 Kris Peterson on the attack with plenty of Wisconsin teammate support.

The Valkyries were not done though as Wisconsin penalties and some subbing gave the Valks three late tries heading into the closing minutes. Wisconsin’s lead was too much though. Final score 62-37.

Wisconsin returns home for a hard week of practice in preparation for the final Midwest Division 2 league match of the season. The team travels to Milwaukee to play longtime state rivals, the Milwaukee Scylla on Saturday, April 16 at the Gun Club field on the Lake Michigan shoreline. A win against the Scylla will give Wisconsin an undefeated 8-0 league record and improve them to 14-1 overall in matches and tournament play.

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Minnesota Valkyries conceding the rucks against Wisconsin’s support.
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Wisconsin flanker Kim Gilmore breaks down the field through the Valkyries. Speedy teammate Sybil Levine in support.
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Wisconsin’s Kris Peterson with a breakaway run with Felicia Carlson in support. Carlson scored the ensuing try.
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Wisconsin fullback Ashley Shaw battles through two Valkyrie defenders.
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Wisconsin team photo after the win against the Minnesota Valkyries. New team jerseys looking sharp!

Wisconsin Spring 2016 Schedule Set

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby spring 2016 schedule is set and quickly approaching.

Visit our Schedule page for the latest updates and match details.

The team has one final Midwest league match on April 16 on the road against the Milwaukee Scylla before Midwest playoffs begin. After an undefeated fall league season, Wisconsin is in first place at the top of the Midwest D2 West 2 league standings.

Prior to the Scylla, the team will warm up with a friendly scrimmage against the UW-Madison Women on April 2 in Madison and away at the Minnesota Valkyries (D1 friendly) on April 9.

The team is also excited to host the brand new Fond du Lac women’s team for a friendly b-side match on April 23 at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex.

Playoffs begin April 30 and full details for Midwest playoffs will be shared once they are available. All competitions in playoffs are single-elimination events.

Wisconsin Tops Midwest League Standings with Undefeated Fall

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team completed a successful Fall 2015 regular season in the Midwest Division 2 league.

Competing in the West 2 quarter of the Midwest region, Wisconsin played nine matches overall this season. Seven of the nine matches were in the West 2 league and Wisconsin won all seven of these matches to place first overall with an undefeated record.

Additionally, Wisconsin earned its fifth-consecutive qualification to the Midwest playoffs (2011, 2012, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016), and a 13-point super league lead on all other West 2 teams in the standings. Runner-up Milwaukee Scylla is 13 points behind Wisconsin in the standings. It’s a great start for the spring playoff season for the USA Rugby 2015 Division 2 National Champions.

Wisconsin also played two Division 1 teams this fall. They defeated the Chicago Women 48-10 to kick off the fall season at the WWRFC 40th Anniversary Weekend in August. The team also played perennial Division 1 national contender Chicago North Shore in October, but suffered a 65-5 loss.

Here are the match recaps from our 2015 fall season:

Wisconsin Falls 65-5 in D1-D2 Crossover Against Chicago North Shore

Chicago North ShoreThe Midwest women’s rugby leagues added a new feature this fall season with officially-scheduled, but friendly, divisional crossover matches between the top Division 1 and Division 2 clubs.

Wisconsin hosted D-1 national contender Chicago North Shore and earned the club’s first loss of the fall season. Falling 65-5, the match provided Wisconsin with an opportunity to play several developmental athletes and experiment with new combinations.

Wing Justine Wypych scored the team’s lone try at the 75-minute mark to avert the impending shutout. Chicago North Shore’s No. 8 Christine Pheil and fullback Lauren Trout led the visiting team in scoring.

The loss has no bearing on Wisconsin’s standings in the Midwest Division 2 league. However, it did provide the team with much-needed playing time for newer players and a renewed focus on the remainder of the D2 season.

Following the competitive match, both teams joined forces with the new Rockford (Illinois) women’s team to play a friendly b-side match.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

Madison To Host USA Rugby National Championships

February 26, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Jessica Burda, 608-712-1481

MADISON TO HOST USA RUGBY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wisconsin Welcomes Nation’s Top Men’s & Women’s Rugby Teams May 31 – June 1, 2014

seriesMADISON, WIS. — Madison’s rugby community reaches back more than 50 years and spans nine teams, but this hard-hitting sport has quietly built up a tradition of success and camaraderie here for players of all ages.

Now Madison, and the nine teams that form Madison United Rugby, are poised to step into a brighter national spotlight this spring as the city will play host to the USA Rugby Emirates Airlines Senior Club National Championships at Breese Stevens Field, May 31 – June 1.

The Championships will see single match battles for three divisions of men’s senior club rugby and two divisions of women’s senior club rugby to determine the nation’s best teams.

“We’re excited to be awarded this opportunity by USA Rugby to host the national rugby finals here in Madison,” said Max Zukowski, President of the Wisconsin Rugby Club, the city’s Division II men’s club team and a member club of Madison United Rugby. “Last year, our men’s team won the 2013 national championship in Glendale, Colorado. To know that this year’s championships will be held right here in Madison is an honor for our team and for our entire community. We’re ready to host an outstanding event for all of the teams and fans.”

This year’s National Championships will also mark the first time that both men’s and women’s club team titles have been played for at the same USA Rugby event. For Madison’s Division II women’s rugby team, that makes hosting the event a historic honor.

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase championship women’s rugby in Madison,” added Bob Jafferis, head coach of the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team. “People coming out to watch will see some fantastic women athletes competing in a tough and physical sport. Rugby has been a bit of a secret in Madison for nearly half a century. I’m looking forward to showing people what the sport is all about.”

In addition to both Wisconsin clubs, Madison United Rugby also includes men’s and women’s club rugby teams at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, four high school boys teams (LaFollette, Oregon, Middleton, and West Side), and the Madison Minotaurs. The Minotaurs are an all-inclusive men’s team that partners with the Wisconsin Rugby Club in fall Division IV competitive league games

and plays spring games in the International Gay Rugby Association and Board (IGRAB) league.

“The Madison Minotaurs are thrilled that USA Rugby had chosen Madison to host the National Club Rugby Championships,” said Tim Lom, President of the Madison Minotaurs. “As some of the newest members of Madison’s diverse rugby scene, the Minotaurs are proud to help represent IGRAB within the greater rugby community during what will surely be a tremendously exciting event.”

In addition to hosting the events, both of Wisconsin’s men’s and women’s Division II teams are both currently in position to potentially qualify towards the championships if they continue to play well. Both teams turned in undefeated fall seasons in their respective Midwest Rugby Union leagues. Spring will see the clubs work towards playoffs and a shot at playing on home grass at the end of the season.

For more local club information and interviews regarding Madison hosting the 2014 USA Rugby Emirates Airlines Senior Club National Championships, please contact Jessica Burda at 608-712-1481 or email rugbyfinals@gmail.com.

For more information on USA Rugby and the 2014 USA Rugby National Championship Series, please contact USA Rugby Events Communications Manager Laura Gill at 612-850-5619 or email at lgill@usarugby.org. USA Rugby has also set up a Facebook event for the National Championships. Media interested in applying for credentials can apply online via USA Rugby’s website.

FAST FACTS ABOUT RUGBY & MADISON UNITED RUGBY:

•    Madison United Rugby’s three adult teams currently practice on Sunday nights. Interested media may attend practice for interviews and photos/video. Practice frequency will pick up in March and April.

•    Rugby will return to the Olympics in 2016 after a 92-year hiatus. Rugby sevens (7-a-side) will be played in Brazil for the Summer Olympics. The United States is the most successful nation in Olympic rugby tournaments, having won the gold medal in both 1920 and 1924. Madison’s local teams play rugby sevens in the summer, but compete in 15-a-side competitive league play in the fall and spring.

•    The Wisconsin Rugby Club (men’s senior Division II) has won the USA Rugby national championship twice – 1998 and 2013. Wisconsin’s latest national title marked the third trip in the past five years to the national championships finishing third in 2008, second in 2012, and winning it all in 2013.

•    The nine teams of Madison United Rugby count many Wisconsin, Midwest and USA All-Star players in both their current and alumni rosters. The most recent Madison United Rugby player to don the red, white and blue for the national team is Grace Hovde, a 2013 USA Collegiate All-American.

•    Both the Wisconsin Rugby Club men’s team and the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team are currently undefeated in Midwest Rugby Union league play. The men compiled an 8-0-1 overall record and are first in the Midwest Division II West Group 1 standings. The Wisconsin Women finished their fall season at a perfect 6-0-0 and will finish their Division II west league play in April to qualify for playoffs.

•    All Madison United Rugby teams welcome new players at any experience level. The teams will teach new players how to play safely and competitively. For more information, visit www.rugbymadison.org.

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Wisconsin Falls to Chicago North Shore in Bruisefest, 30-5

Chicago North ShoreWWRFC Logo - SmallThe best kind of rugby makes the hurt feel good.

In an early season friendly, the Wisconsin Women dropped a highly physical match, 30-5, to the Chicago North Shore Women Saturday.

The match provided both teams with an opportunity to prepare for league play in their representative Midwest Divisions. Wisconsin (D2) challenged North Shore (D1) throughout the match, but failed to complete a number of scoring opportunities against the 2011 Division I National Champions. The game also saw a number of rookies for both teams gain competitive playing experience.

Overall, Wisconsin’s leadership was pleased with the match and the team’s output in physical plan and mental toughness.

Flanker Amanda “Stoli” Stoltz was named the Player of the Match against North Shore for her endless energy in the loose play. Scrumhalf Mary Hanks scored the team’s lone try.

Wisconsin also hosted three college sides in a brief morning skills camp – University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Platteville and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The college sides played in a friendly round-robin with developmental players from the Wisconsin Women following the match against Chicago North Shore.

Center Marissa “Fizz” Kraynak was named the Player of the Match in the round-robin after catching every pass that came her way.

See Chicago North Shore’s Match Report here.

Fall 2013 Schedule Set

Wisconsin Women's RugbyThe Wisconsin Women have received the Fall 2013 Midwest Division II league schedule and are locking down kickoff times.

Wisconsin opens the season early on August 24 at home against the Palmer Women. The game will highlight the team’s Alumni Weekend. Wisconsin has won its last three matches against Palmer, including two on the road in Davenport won by just a one-point differential.

The team will then face Division I opponent Chicago North Shore in a friendly match at home on September 7, followed by a friendly scrimmage on September 14 at University Bay Fields in Madison against the UW-Madison Women.

Wisconsin returns to League play on September 21 with its first away game against the Minneapolis Menagerie, followed by a home match against the Saint Cloud Sirens at the Sports Complex on September 28.

The women in red open October on a short road-trip to Milwaukee to play in-state “frivals”, the Milwaukee Scylla on October 5 before enjoying their first league bye weekend on October 12.

Wisconsin returns to action on October 19 at home against the Twin Cities Amazons, the Division II side of the tough Premiere League team. A final home game on October 26 against the Menagerie again will wrap up the first half of the 2013-2014 season for Wisconsin. A second league bye weekend is slated for November 2.

The team will return to league action again in Spring 2014 with games on the road against Palmer on April 5 and Saint Cloud on April 12. Schedule success will determine the team’s draw into the Midwest and National Playoffs.