Category: USA Rugby

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

midwest.jpg

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 Finishes 2nd In Nation for 2015-2016 Season

Another historic year of rugby came to a close Saturday, June 4 as the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team capped the 2015-2016 season as the USA Rugby Division 2 National Runners-Up.

Undefeated in all D2 competition throughout the year, Wisconsin lost its national title match to the Life West Gladiatrix (Hayward, CA) 66-20.

Via USA Rugby:

Life West steals Women’s DII Club title from holder Wisconsin
Chad Wise • June 4, 2016

GLENDALE, Colo. – Life West scored 12 tries in a 66-20 defeat of reigning title-holder Wisconsin Saturday to win the USA Rugby Emirates Airline Women’s Division II National Championship in its first year in the competition.

Beginning a five-match championship weekend at Infinity Park, the Gladiatrix ticked the scoreboard from the opening minute of the match to the end of the 80th, starving Wisconsin of the possession necessary to launch a proper title defense.

Catherine Benson and Angelina Lomu each recorded a hat trick of tries, with Lomu scoring her first of three in the first minute of the match. Life West found several gaps in the Wisconsin defense from the opening restart and the first pass out to the wing landed in Lomu’s hands for a broken Grace Hovde tackle and 40-meter run to the try zone.

Wisconsin had a few set pieces turned over by the Gladiatrix in the following minutes, and the pressure inside the team’s half of the field yielded more points for Life West. Despite a mishandled pass on the wing, prop Catherine Benson used her mobility and strength to get through the line from five meters for a 12-0 lead.

Benson doubled her tally in the 10th minute after full back Cameo Motley created a gap along the gain line inside her own half. She was taken down with a high tackle within 10 meters of the try line, and Benson received the first pass from the tap for a 17-0 score.

Wisconsin got on the scoreboard through Ashley Shaw but Life West replied immediately for a 22-7 lead midway through the first frame. The Gladiatrix went over the line twice in the span of five minutes, though both attempts at five points were deemed to have been held up by the match official. Continuing to dominate the set pieces, Life West kept the ball in the offensive third and fly half Megan Foster went over the line from a scrum win.

Foster set up the next try – and successfully kicked the conversion – to extend the lead to 34-7 with a break inside the offensive 22. Motley took the ball over, and Pinson followed suit from five meters for a 39-7 score line. Benson rounded out the first 40 minutes with her hat trick from the final restart, 44-7.

Life West had used its quick offloading and strength to create gaps and bust through defenders throughout the opening frame, and continued until the final whistle. Wisconsin refused to be ignored, scoring two tries and kicking one penalty goal, but No. 8 Jenn Sever scored a brace of tries and set up her scrum half, Lauren Kenyon, for one for a 66-20 final.

Foster, the match’s Most Valuable Player, cited Life West’s ability with ball in hand as well as reading the opposition as the team’s keys to victory – in addition to the first-minute start.

“I think the first try really set the tone,” the AIG Women’s Collegiate All-American said. “We just feed off of that. Every game that we’ve scored early it’s just been non-stop. We just go with each other, kept it positive out there, and when we do that we’re pretty unstoppable.

“Wisconsin were definitely tough and had some hard hits. Credit to them for playing hard. But I think we did really well exploiting their weaknesses. We saw space wide, we used our hands to get it wide, had players cutting back in, read their hips; we came out and played our best.”

Life West Gladiatrix | Women’s DII National Championship
1. Tupou V Palu
2. Aubrey Huey
3. Catherine Benson
4. Megan Pinson
5. Rose Russell
6. Mele Taumoefolau
7. Tiara Littleton
8. Jennifer Sever
9. Lauren Kenyon
10. Megan Foster
11. Angelina Lomu
12. Andie Toetu’u
13. Hali Deters
14. Mirelle Raza
15. Cameo Motley
16. Sarah MacArthur
17. Moana Blandford
18. Vika Eli
19. Fane Eli
20. Alivia Picardo
21. Ilai’Saane Kefu-Teaupa
22. Jessica Lewis

Wisconsin | Women’s DII National Championship
1. Sarah Thomas
2. Emily Mastandrea
3. Melissa Polheber
4. Brittany Aprahamian
5. Jill Lehmann
6. Samantha Clevenger
7. Lauren McCormack
8. Grace Hovde
9. Kristine Peterson
10. Jennifer Johnson
11. Felicia Carlson
12. Shannon Walsh
13. Ashley Shaw
14. Justine Wypych
15. Sybil Levine
16. Sarah Pinkston
17. Katie Klas
18. Alayna Hronek
19. Corin Jensen
20. Callie Graves
21. Kimberly Gilmore
23. Tamara Wade
24. Cecilia Smith

13406974_10153585880541680_144019649975564686_n2015-2016 USA Rugby National Final – Official Team Photo for Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Football Club. Saturday, June 4, 2016. Photo taken by Patrick Barron.

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Wisconsin Advances Back to USA Rugby National Final June 4

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team won both its matches at the USA Rugby National Playoffs in Pittsburgh, Pa., this past weekend, May 21-22.

With the two wins, Wisconsin now advances to the USA Rugby Senior Club Division 2 Women’s National Championship on Saturday, June 4 in Glendale, Colorado.

As the East Champions, Wisconsin will play the West Champions, the Life West Gladiatrix from California. News recap here from The Breakdown.

Wisconsin defeated the Charlotte (NC) Women, 67-19, on Saturday, May 21 in the national Round of 8. News recap here from the Breakdown.

In the national Final 4, Wisconsin defeated the Harrisburg (PA) Harlots, 31-17, on Sunday, May 22, in very poor, muddy field conditions to advance to their second-straight USA Rugby National Championship. Wisconsin is the reigning 2015 Division 2 National Champions.

The team needs your help to travel to Colorado to defend the national title. Please consider a donation to help us reach our $10,000 goal.

Happy Winners! East Champions!
Happy Winners! East Champions!

Wisconsin Travels to USA Rugby National Playoffs, Round of 8 vs. Charlotte Women

[WWRFC team photo by Patrick Barron]

After winning the team’s second-straight Midwest Division 2 women’s championship May 8, the Wisconsin Women are now traveling to Pittsburgh, Pa., for the 2016 USA Rugby National Playoffs Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22.

This is USA Rugby’s “Elite 8” and “Final 4” weekend. Wisconsin will need to win both of its matches in Pittsburgh to return to Glendale, Colorado on Sunday, June 5 to defend its 2015 USA Rugby National Championship.

Wisconsin will face the South Champion Charlotte (North Carolina) Women on Saturday, May 21 at 10:45 a.m. central/11:45 a.m. eastern.

A full schedule of all matches in Pittsburgh is below.

The match will be livestreamed on usarugbytv.com. Wisconsin will also be providing a live twitter feed from the sidelines via the team’s account – www.twitter.com/WIWomensRugby. Additionally, fans can follow the team’s new Snapchat account all weekend – Snapchat user name WIWomensRugby.

The Pittsburgh regional will also host the Division 2 Round of 8 match between the Burlington (Vermont) Women and the Harrisburg Harlots (Pennsylvania) at the same time on Saturday. The winners of the two Saturday matches will play Sunday at 10:45 CT/11:45 ET. The losers will play a consolation match at 7:15 a.m. CT/8:15 a.m. ET. All of Sunday’s matches will also be livestreamed.

Wisconsin is raising $10,000 to fund its trip to the national playoffs in Pittsburgh and possible trip to Glendale, Colorado should the team continue to win and advance. Please consider making a donation to help the team offset travel costs here.

usarugby_pittsburgh schedule

Wisconsin Women Win 2016 Midwest Championship, Qualify for USA Rugby Nationals

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team won the 2016 Midwest Women’s Division 2 Championship this past weekend. This is the second-straight Midwest title for Wisconsin and fifth-straight Midwest final four appearance.

Wisconsin defeated the Buffalo Women 100-5 Saturday in the Midwest semifinal and fought-back from a halftime 19-21 deficit to defeat rivals the Milwaukee Scylla 47-33 to claim the trophy. The regional final was considered a national round of 16 (“Sweet 16”) match and was quite the battle to watch for fans in attendance.

The club has qualified for the USA Rugby national playoffs (“Elite 8”) in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 21-22. As the Midwest’s top seed, Wisconsin will play the South’s champion, the Charlotte (NC) Women that Saturday. The winner will play the winner of the other national playoff match between the Burlington (VT) Women (Northeast Champion) and the Harrisburg Harlots (PA, Mid-Atlantic Champion) on Sunday, May 22. Sunday’s winner will advance to the USA Rugby national final two weeks later in Glendale, Co.

Wisconsin is the reigning 2015 USA Rugby National Champions.

Stay tuned for more detailed updates soon!

USA Rugby Feature: Women of Wisconsin Eye Big Spring After Undefeated Fall

The Wisconsin Women were featured by USA Rugby on the national governing body’s website and social media channels March 24.

USA Rugby Feature Article - Wisconsin WomenHere’s the article via USA Rugby:

Alex Solomon
March 24, 2016
Photo by JD Black

“If we do well in the Midwest, I’m sure the excitement and hunger will grow, but no one is looking ahead.”

LAFAYETTE, Colo. – Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Football Club’s 2015 Division II National Championship took some by surprise. However, Wisconsin’s form and undefeated 2015-16 record is proof the squad from Madison is far from a one-year wonder.

A 2015 fall campaign produced a 7-0 mark and a plus-267 point differential for Wisconsin against its Midwest rivals. Still, the reigning National Champion’s road to the 2016 Midwest Playoffs has not been as seamless as its unblemished record would indicate.

“The fall season has been a sorting out process for us as much as anything,” Head Coach Bob Jafferis said. “We lost four starters from last year’s Championship game, and several other players that have started a lot of games for us have also retired or moved on. In addition, we had several players change positions for this year.”

It is going to take more than a few retirements and some tinkering of combinations to slow down a club with a 41-year history. While less-experienced players have done well to fill roles in the first XV, several Wisconsin stalwarts have somehow continued to up their game and the club’s stakes.

Up front, tight head prop Melissa Polheber leads one of the best front rows Jafferis has ever coached. In the back row, open side flanker Kris Peterson is heavily relied on for her energy and go-forward ball, and No. 8 Grace Hovde is always dangerous with ball in hand.

Not to be forgotten is 2015 National Championship MVP Justine Wypych. The quick-footed winger continues to be a thorn in the foot of opposing defensives, dotting down nine times over six conference games this past fall.

The experience of outmatching an established Sacramento Amazons team, 38-28, in last year’s Final, and carrying a 7-0 mark into the spring has not encouraged Wisconsin to make any plans beyond its April 30 opening-round Midwest Playoff fixture.

“I don’t think anyone is looking beyond the Midwest,” said Jafferis. “They know how tough it was last year to win and advance. So, they know to expect a big challenge. If we do well in the Midwest, I’m sure the excitement and hunger will grow, but no one is looking ahead.”

One final conference game remains on Wisconsin’s schedule, an April 16 visit to Milwaukee to face Scylla, but the top seed out of the Midwest DII West 2 league is all but claimed by the women who train out of Cottage Grove, Wisc. That top seed spells a Midwest Semifinal against either the Chicago Sirens or Fort Wayne. Historically, Wisconsin holds a favorable record over the Sirens, whereas the reigning champ has never faced Fort Wayne.

A victory in the Midwest Semifinal could potentially set up a regional final versus Chicago’s County Will Morrigans. The Morrigans are having an equally impressive season, as the team’s lone loss came to the Minnesota Valkyries’ Division I side.

“We think we are positioned to do well, but we have a lot of respect for the other teams in the Midwest,” Jafferis commended.

If it sounds like Wisconsin is humble it is because it is. But the club is also less concerned about results, and chooses to concern itself with the main reason its members still lace up the boots.

“Our first goal is always to have fun,” added Jafferis. “Rugby is a game, and we want to have fun playing.”

Plenty of rugby stands between Wisconsin and a return visit to Colorado’s Infinity Park for the 2016 Club National Championships, but one thing is for certain: the women of Wisconsin will not be sneaking up on anyone this spring.

Article from USA Rugby. Photo by JD Black.

Wisconsin Ranked #2 in the Country

New women’s rugby news website The Breakdown issued its first set of spring national rankings for senior Division 2 women March 23. Wisconsin earned a #2 ranking nationally across the competition.

Via the Breakdown:

So much has changed since last year – teams moved to and from DI, clubs bulked up schedules for a nationals run, and others fell completely off of the radar. This first ranking of the year relies on current results and blends them with the relative strength of regions as demonstrated at last year’s nationals, while also accounting for teams that have left the division. It also serves as a general update on what’s happening around the country.

First, here’s a look at the teams that look particularly strong this year:

Life West is a new team and should be playing in DI, if there was such a competition in the region. The Gladiatrix dominate NorCal and are propelled by Eagles like Jenn Sever and Catie Benson, and age-grade fixtures like Megan Pinson and Megan Foster – among many other talented players. The only drawback – other than meaningful competition – is the post-season barrier they provide to other good DII teams. …

Defending DII champion Wisconsin is looking good again at 7-0 and would surprise no one if it returned to the national title match. Like all of the Midwest (and Northeast and Mid-Atlantic), the majority of the regular season was contested in the fall, and the final league games will occur in April. Needless to say, Wisconsin is the Midwest favorite.

See the full rankings article here.

DII CLUB RANKINGS – MARCH 23, 2016
Rank. Team (Record). Recent results
1. Life West (7-0). Lopsided victories in NorCal; won Champagne Classic
2. Wisconsin (7-0). Won Whiskey 10s; last league game April 16
3. Emerald City (6-0). Big lead in Pacific Northwest; beat Tacoma 58-0
4. Burlington (5-1). Atlantic North champion; idle until April 16
5. Augusta (4-0). Defeated Charleston 64-5; lost 25-0 friendly to DI Raleigh
6. Charlotte (5-0). Defeated Eno River 72-0; defeated league opponents 306-19
7. SFGG (4-2). Defeated San Jose 96-15; lost 62-6 to Life West
8. Providence (4-2). Idle until April 2
9. Tucson (5-0). Defeated reigning league champ Fullerton 26-5
10. Cincinnati (5-1). Idle until April 16; April 23 game to watch vs. Scioto Valley
11. KC Jazz (3-0). Friendlies at Nash Bash
12. Milwaukee Scylla (4-2). Gave Wisconsin a good game, beat DI Minn. Valkyries
13. Fullerton (4-1). Lost 26-5 to Tucson
14. Brandywine (6-0). Defeated Morris 41-28 in friendly
15. Buffalo (5-0). Last league game April 16

Spring 2014 Recap: Wisconsin Finishes 2nd in Midwest, Top 16 in Nation

Midwest
Wisconsin Women Finish 2nd in the Midwest and Top 16 in the Nation after an undefeated league season.

The 2013-2014 competitive season will go down in the team record books as one of the best for the Wisconsin Women. The Division 2 senior club team completed a perfect 8-0 undefeated regular season, followed by their third-straight appearance in the Midwest Championships.

A Victory Against Division I
After racking up six victories last fall, Wisconsin opened up the spring competition Saturday, March 29, with a friendly match against the Division 1 Chicago Women on the road. Wisconsin’s First XV defeated Chicago 28-5 and the Second XV earned a 5-0 victory for a sweep of the higher-division opponent.

Going For Perfect In League Play
Wisconsin then turned to completing its final two Midwest D2 West League matches on the road against the Palmer Women and the Twin Cities Amazons.

The women in red traveled south to Davenport on Saturday, April 5 for a match against the Palmer Women, a graduate scholarship team that is part of the Palmer Chiropractic College. Wisconsin opened up scoring just two minutes into the game with a try by Forwards Captain Kelly Clerkin, never looking back as the team earned its seventh victory of the season 70-5 against the Palmer Dragons. Clerkin earned a hat trick of tries on the day and was joined by lock Grace Hovde with her own hat trick. Wisconsin teammates Melissa Polheber, Emi Frerichs, Katie Odens, Mary Hanks, Backs Captain Nicole Helmer, and Kris Peterson all added one try a piece. Hooker Elisa Becker successfully converted five of the 12 tries. Palmer’s lone try was scored by wing Jessica Enderby. The victory ensured Wisconsin of home-field advantage in Midwest D2 playoffs.

Wisconsin hit the road again the next weekend to Minnesota to face the always-tough Twin Cities Amazons, a D2 team with a Premier League sister team who won the USA Rugby WPL National Championship last fall. The game was held Saturday, April 12, inside the University of Minnesota dome on field turf, providing a fast running surface for both teams.

The indoor match opened well for Wisconsin, as rookie scoring sensation Grace Hovde notched a try just five minutes in. Wisconsin would take a 21-0 lead at 15 minutes after additional tries by flanker Kris Peterson and prop Melissa “Helga” Polheber, with three successful conversions by Elisa Becker.

However, the game would provide a continuing challenge for the visitors to overcome thanks to a penalty-happy Sir. In a first for the Wisconsin Women, the team collected four separate yellow cards in the match’s ensuing minutes for multiple repeated infractions. [Editor’s Note: The team had only earned one red card and a small handful of yellows in the previous 10 years of competitive matches.]

The major penalties helped the less-penalized Amazons rally back in to the match, but Wisconsin eventually held on to a 36-22 victory on the day with additional tries by Kelly Mullen, Katie Odens, and Nicole Helmer. The Amazons earned tries from Ashley Kastendick (2), Maria Bowker and Stephanie Grant, with a conversion from Angela Ahrendt. The Zons four tries scored against Wisconsin also ensured them of a second-place overall finish in league play and qualification into the Midwest playoffs, knocking the Milwaukee Scylla out of contention.

The Wisconsin victory provided the team with an 8-0 regular season record and a perfect league slate, easing the burn of so many yellow cards in the match (of which the team is still perplexed by to this day.)

wwrfc_midwest_2013-2014_standingsA Tie Against Eventual D1 National Finalists
Knowing that the hardest matches of the year were still ahead of them, Wisconsin welcomed Division 1 Chicago North Shore to the Sports Complex on Saturday, April 19 for a friendly series. Wisconsin and North Shore were both missing starting players, but battled back and forth for a 5-5 tie between the teams’ First XVs. North Shore earned a 27-0 victory in the ensuing Second XV match.

Chicago North Shore later qualified to the USA Rugby National Championships (hosted here in Madison, Wis.!), finishing 2nd overall in the country after a loss to the ORSU Women.

Home-Field Advantage For Playoffs
Finishing first in Midwest league play ensured Wisconsin of home-field advantage for the Midwest playoffs round and the team welcomed the Chicago Sirens up to the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex on Saturday, April 26. The Sirens had finished second overall in their Midwest league, but were ultimately not a match for Wisconsin’s offensive firepower. Wisconsin earned its third-straight qualification to the Midwest Championships with a 67-5 victory against the Sirens in front of a large home crowd.

Wisconsin also hosted the Minneapolis Menagerie for a Second XV match, earning a 12-7 victory for the day.

2014 Midwest Championships
Wisconsin earned a small break with the Midwest Championships being hosted by the Will County Morrigans only a few hours south of Madison, saving the team both time and money.

The Championships saw the East Divisions represented by the defending National Champion/Midwest Champion Pittsburgh Angels and the Cincinnati Kelts Women. The West Division was represented by Wisconsin and the Amazons. Strangely, the Midwest administrators opted to have the regional teams play their other regional counterpart to qualify to the final (versus a seeded bracket as in past years).

Despite the well-known opponent in the Zons, Wisconsin was pleased to play the Minnesota team without the previous official in charge of the match. As usual between the two teams, the match proved to be physical and a hard-charging battle amongst the forward packs. Wisconsin earned a 34-19 victory on the day and looked forward to the final against the Pittsburgh Women (who had beaten them in the last two Midwest Championships by only 10 points and 3 points, respectively).

Pittsburgh defeated a scrappy Cincinnati Kelts team 34-24 in the East Division semifinal match.

National Round of 16s and Midwest Finalists
The Midwest final match also counted as a the first round of the USA Rugby national round of 16s playoffs, with the winner moving on to the USA Rugby regional playoffs held in Pittsburgh, PA.

From the first minute, the match between Pittsburgh and Wisconsin would prove to be a physical war of two strong women’s programs. Suffering a slower start than their opponents, Wisconsin fell behind early after a Pittsburgh try at the 5 minute mark. Wisconsin gritted it out however, continuing to fight, and the halftime score saw Pittsburgh up just 10-5. Heading into the second half, Wisconsin pressed their advantage by continuing to pound Pittsbugh with our forwards, capitalizing on penalties, and never giving up in the match. With 15 minutes left on the clock, Wisconsin scored to bring us within five points and a 20-15 scoreline. Pittsburgh used their kick-and-chase game to pin Wisconsin away from the try zone though and time ran out on Wisconsin’s momentum. It was truly a heartbreaker for your favorite Madison women’s rugby team.

Pittsburgh would go on to win the USA Rugby D2 National Championship, never allowing another team to a closer scoreline than Wisconsin’s.

wwrfc_usarugby_national_playoffsOverall, the 2013-2014 season was one for the Wisconsin record books. Additionally, it was also a special year for all of the players and our coach Wee Bob. The team was extremely proud of all of its hard work. Now, the team will turn to a new year and build on the continuing foundation of effort and success that is Wisconsin Women’s Rugby.

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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