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Women's Elite Rugby
Women's Elite Rugby is where fearless athletes and fierce action collide, proving that strength takes every shape. More than a game, it’s a movement driving progress for players, fans, and communities alike.
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News & Updates

Pittsford, Vermont – November 13, 2025 – Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States, today announced the head coaches for the 2026 season which will kickoff in May 2026. WER will retain head coaches in five of the six inaugural markets and will bring Kristin Zdanczewicz onboard in a full-time capacity after she served as the acting head coach for a portion of the 2025 season. “We are really excited to be bringing the head coaching team from Season 1 back for Season 2. An inaugural season is always a learning experience for everyone. So, I am excited to see how those lessons learned and successes achieved are actioned on in this second year”, said WER Director of Rugby Jamie Burke . “While the teams in the league compete against each other on the pitch, I am really proud of the way the head coaches have supported each other and collaborated with each other to ensure the ongoing success of the league and we look forward to more of that as we gear up for our second season." “Our coaches were the cornerstone of Women’s Elite Rugby’s on field success in Season 1,” said WER President, Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf . “Their commitment to player development, teamwork, and culture helped set the foundation for an exciting rugby experience, not only for our players, but also our fans. As we move into Season 2, this group will continue to shepherd our league forward — leading with integrity, vision, and the passion that defines our game.” Player declarations for the 2026 season will begin on December 1. Information will be available in the coming weeks on www.womenseliterugby.us Head Coach Bios Bay Breakers Head Coach: Hannah Stolba Stolba most recently served as the head coach of the Berkeley All Blues Women’s Rugby of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Stolba has over a decade of coaching experience across all levels of the game and as a player was on two World Cup squads (2010 and 2014). Stolba helped lead the All Blues to a WPL Championship in 2022 and runners up in 2023 and 2024. Boston Banshees Head Coach: Kittery Ruiz Ruiz’s rugby coaching experience spans collegiate, WPL, and USA U20 Women’s National teams. Ruiz most recently has served as both head and assistant coach of the WPL’s Beantown Rugby in Boston and currently serves as an assistant coach with Brown University and an assistant coach with the USA U20 women’s national team. Ruiz represented USA Rugby as a player in the 2010 and 2014 Rugby World Cups, as a part of the 7s pool in 2009. Ruiz was most recently recognized by the WRCRA with the Kathy Flores’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Chicago Tempest Head Coach: Kristin Zdanczewicz Zdanczewicz served as acting head coach for the Chicago Tempest during part of the 2025 season and now returns to lead the team in her first full year as head coach. In addition to her work with the Tempest, she holds a hybrid role at Bowdoin College, where she mentors student-athletes in the weight room and assists the coaching staff with on-field technical development. She also serves as the Lead Physical Performance Coach for USA Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Pathway, creating and implementing performance plans for the U18, U20, and U23 Women’s National Teams. A member of the USA Women’s National Team from 2000–2018, Zdanczewicz represented the U.S. at the 2006 and 2010 Rugby World Cups and captained the team in 2007 and 2009. Denver Onyx Head Coach: Sarah Chobot Chobot, a former USA women's national team player, currently serves as the defense coach for the USA Women’s Eagles. Chobot has held various coaching positions at a multitude of levels since transitioning to coaching in 2018. Chobot, a Michigan native who honed her craft in Minnesota, notably was named the head coach of the American Raptors in 2023 and was the first female head coach in the Super Rugby Americas. Chobot also previously served as the Defense and Forwards Coach with the Raptors. She led the Onyx to the WER Legacy Cup in 2025. New York Exiles Head Coach: Diego Maquieira Prior to his role with the WER, Maquieira served as 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 semifinal. As a former college football player, Maquieira found rugby later in life, and developed a strong passion for training and developing crossover athletes. Despite his later start in the sport, Diego was skilled enough to play for multiple MLR franchises. TC Gemini Head Coach : Sylvia Braaten Braaten has over 15 years of professional experience in coaching and performance training. Braaten was also the Lead Physical Performance Coach with the USA Women’s national team from 2020 to 2024. In Braaten’s five seasons coaching with Harvard Rugby, she won three NIRA National Championships (2019, 2023, 2024) and one USA 7’s National Championship (2024). Braaten played in the WPL for ten years with the Twin Cities Amazons and has over 15 years of playing experience, with eight years at the international level. Braaten represented USA Rugby in the HSBC 7’s World Series and as a player in the 2014 and 2017 Rugby World Cups. Braaten also completed her Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard. About Women’s Elite Rugby Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is a pioneering professional league dedicated to elevating women’s rugby in the United States. Launched in 2025, WER brings together world-class athletes, coaches, and communities to advance the game and expand opportunities for women in sport. With six inaugural teams across major markets, WER is building a competitive, sustainable pathway that inspires the next generation of players and fans. Through tenacity, equity, and innovation, WER is shaping the future of women’s rugby — on and off the field. Learn more at womenseliterugby.us. For the latest news and updates surrounding the league, follow WER on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Media Contact: Jessica Poole Acting Director of Communications Jessica.Poole@womenseliterugby.com www.womenseliterugby.us
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Five things we’re grateful for this season:
💜 Our athletes who lead with heart and resilience
💜Our fans and supporters who fuel our growth
💜Our coaches and high-performance staff who build culture
💜Our community partners and host cities who champion the game
💜 The unstoppable momentum of women’s sports that lifts us all
Grateful for every person and every moment shaping WER. 💜🏉
It’s Championship time in the @nwsl and we want to know where the WER fam stands!
Based on the matchup breakdown in our graphic:
🖤 @gothamfc — 2025 CONCACAF W champs with serious momentum
💛 @washingtonspirit — multi-time finalists with a championship pedigree
So tell us… who’s taking home the 2025 NWSL ‘Ship?
Drop your heart in the comments ⬇️
#NWSL #NWSLChampionship #WomensSports #GothamFC #WashingtonSpirit #WER #WomensEliteRugby #WomensSportsCommunity
Introducing our 2026 Coaching Staff.
The leaders. The architects. The heartbeat of our team.
This group helped build the foundation in Season 1 and now they’re ready to elevate us into an even bigger, bolder 2026 campaign. With a shared commitment to excellence, player development, and high-performance culture, these coaches are prepared to guide us into our strongest season yet.
Season 2 starts now.
Let’s get to work. 💥🏉
#WERugby #Season2 #2026Staff
🚨 Big news 🚨
WER President Jessica Hammond-Graf will be a featured speaker on Day 3 of the @rosebowlinstitute’s 7th Annual Women’s Empowerment Symposium!
She’ll be diving into the theme of Citizenship — what it means to lead with purpose, uplift others, and use your voice for positive change on and off the field.
Join us for this incredible event filled with inspiration, reflection, and connection.
🔗 Register at the link in @rosebowlinstitute’s bio!
#WERugby #WomensEmpowerment #WomenInSports #Leadership #Citizenship #Community #PurposeDrivenLeadership #RugbyFamily #RoseBowlInstitute
Who will take home the Legacy Cup TODAY?!
It all comes down to this. The final clash. The ultimate prize. And what a prize it is 👀👇
Created by Colorado based landscape designer and former women’s rugby player Amy Root (@boardandwired), the Legacy Cup trophy is more than just metal, it’s a monument to the game’s past, present, and future.
🔥 In its second edition, the trophy builds on the original’s unfinished rugby ball form, evolving into a more complete and tightly layered structure just like the growing strength and unity of the women’s game.
⚙️ Curved steel blades, interwoven and riveted, symbolize resilience through connection, a tribute to generations of women who have built this sport together.
💥 Raw steel. Exposed welds. Brutalist beauty. This trophy does not just sit pretty it embodies the grit, toughness, and heart of rugby.
It all comes down to today Denver Onyx vs New York Exiles 🏆
📸 @melpazphotos34
#rugby #womenssports #legacycup #trophy
EVERYONE WATCHES WOMEN’S SPORTS
Who will be crowned the first-ever WER Champion? Tune in at 2PM CT today for the Legacy Cup final between 🪨@wer_denver and 🗽@wer_exiles
📺 womenseliterugby.us/watch-online
📍 TCO Stadium, Eagan, MN
🎟️ Link in bio
#rugby #womenssports #legacycup #everyonewatcheswomenssports
📸 @alexwohlphotography @rugby_sooz @kellyjosphotos @manishsportsphoto @als.photos96 @seanhaleyeah
Announcing the Legacy Cup Clinic! Join us Saturday, June 28 in Eagan for a FREE clinic sponsored by Minnesota Sports and Events!
🕛 12–2 PM
👕 Free T-shirt
🎟 Chance to be a Player Pal at the Legacy Cup Game
💪 Learn new skills
🧒 Ages 5–18 | All skill levels | Coed
Don’t miss out — register now at womenseliterugby.us
With this weekend’s win, the Onyx have clinched their spot in the 2025 Legacy Cup!
Now the race is on for the final spot in the first-ever WER Championship! Who will be facing the Onyx on June 29th at TCO Stadium? Drop your guesses below 👇
And dont forget, tickets are on sale NOW for the Legacy Cup and the link in our bio!
#rugby #womenssports #standings
No shortage of games this weekend, with the top 4 teams in action! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, be sure to head to the link in our bio to witness the hits live. For those at home, tune in on our website to watch all the plays 📺
And who's staying up late to catch our WER teammates take on the Black Ferns tonight? 🙋
#rugby #womenssports #schedule
We’re excited to share that both games this weekend will be live streamed for FREE at womenseliterugby.us/watch-online (link in bio)!
Please note that this weekend’s matches will feature live game and ref audio from on-field mics. As we work through this transition period, we know that the quality of the feed may not yet match what we are used to, but we are doing everything we can to provide fans, friends, and family the opportunity to watch your favorite athletes compete.
Thank you for sticking with us as we work to find solutions!
#rugby #womenssports #broadcast
🚨 ONLY A FEW GAMES LEFT! 🚨
The Women’s Elite Rugby season is heading into the final stretch and if you haven’t been to a match yet…this is your moment.
🏉 Big hits. Bold talent. Nonstop energy.
This is women’s rugby like you’ve never seen before and it's all wrapping up in June.
🎟️ Every ticket gets you closer to the action. Every game is a shot at history.
Don’t sit this one out.
✅ Pick your city
✅ Grab your seats
✅ Bring your people
This isn’t just sport. It’s the start of something massive.
Be there to say you saw it before everyone else caught on.
🎫 Tickets going fast ➡️ https://www.womenseliterugby.us
#WERugby #FeelEveryHit #WomensEliteRugby #BeThereOrHearAboutItLater
¡VAMOS SERPIENTES! 🇲🇽
Congratulations to all of our players selected to represent Mexico Rugby in their upcoming test match against Jamaica! Follow @rugby_mexico for details on how to watch tomorrow's game featuring your favorite WER athletes!
#rugby #womenssports #rugbyméxico #serpientes #rugbyfemenil
🚨 RUGBY RIVALRY ALERT! This Saturday, it’s Denver vs. Boston like you’ve NEVER seen before 💥
🏉 Onyx are throwing down with the Banshees in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season!
🗓 Saturday, May 24
🕒 1:00PM MDT
📍 Infinity Park, CO
🔥 This isn’t just a game. It’s history in the making. Women’s Elite Rugby is here and these teams are bringing real heat, real hits, and real heart.
🎟️ Don’t wait: Grab your crew and your tickets. You’ll want to say “I WAS THERE!” https://www.womenseliterugby.us
📲 Tag a friend. Share the hype. Be there.
#OnyxvsBanshees #WomensSports #GameChanger @wer_banshees @wer_onyx
Broadcast may be down this weekend, but that doesn't mean the action stops! The Banshees are taking on the Tempest tomorrow, followed by an Exiles vs Gemini classic on Sunday. Be sure to snag your tickets at the link in bio to catch the games live!
And a bonus for all you rugby faithful: the Eagles will be playing down under and you can catch the match (not so) bright and early tomorrow!
#rugby #womenssports #schedule
Due to unforeseen venue challenges, the remaining Bay Breakers home games will not be available for live stream on DAZN. We will notify fans of any updates on availability for on-demand viewing.
We recognize that this is disappointing for fans who want to watch our incredible athletes, and we encourage you to continue to attend games in-person to show your support!
The stage is set for the 2025 Legacy Cup! The top two teams from the regular season will battle it out on Sunday, June 29th at TCO Stadium for the championship trophy. Don't miss your chance to witness greatness live — sign up at the link in bio to access presale tickets starting next Monday.
#rugby #womenssports #legacycup #championship
📸 @kellyjosphotos
Double-header Saturday featuring the Tempest in their final home match against the Breakers and the first Gemini vs Exiles showdown! And stay tuned on Sunday to catch the #1 taking on the #2 at the brand new Centreville Bank Stadium! All games streaming on @daznwsport and tickets available at the link in bio 🎟️
Bonus game tonight as the USA Eagles take on our northern rivals in a matchup for the ages!
#rugby #womenssports #schedule
Feeling the FOMO? Everyone’s talking about it. The hits. The speed. The fire.
Women’s Elite Rugby is that sport and if you haven’t seen it live yet…you’re already behind.
Real athletes. Real intensity. Real crowd energy. Don’t just scroll past it! You need to be there.
🎟️ Tickets on sale now - https://www.womenseliterugby.us/2025-schedule
👀 Your feed will be full of it either way. Might as well say you were there.
#WomensEliteRugby #FOMO #GameOn
Rivalry Reignited: Tempest vs. Onyx
This Saturday, witness the clash between two titans of Women's Elite Rugby. The Chicago Tempest's host the Denver Onyx in a showdown that's more than just a game - it's a battle for dominance.
📅 Saturday, April 26
🕑 2:00 PM CDT
📍 Northwestern Medicine Field, IL
Experience the intensity, the strategy, and the sheer athleticism as these teams go head-to-head. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the sport, this match promises edge-of-your-seat action.
🎟️ Tickets: Get Yours Now at Link in Bio
📺 Can't attend in person? Stream it live for free on DAZN
Join us and be part of rugby history in the making.
#WomensEliteRugby #TempestvsOnyx #RugbyRivalry #SupportWomensSports #LiveRugby @wer_tempest @wer_denver
Games on games on games! Congratulations to WER athletes who are on the🦅 @usarugby roster for the U.S. v Japan match.
Special cheers for @rica_baly of the @wer_denver making her 🇺🇸 National Team debut! 🩷
And of cource we have @wer_gemini v @wer_breakers tonight and @wer_tempest v @wer_denver tomorrow!
Another packed weekend kicking off tomorrow with the Gemini home opener against the Breakers, followed by a Tempest vs Onyx rematch on Saturday!
And for an extra treat — catch our Eagles and the USA Women's National Team take on Japan Saturday night on the RugbyPass app!
#rugby #womenssports #schedule
Friday night lights, fierce competition, and two powerhouse teams ready to battle it out.
TC Gemini vs. Bay Breakers
This isn’t just a match, it’s a statement on intent. TC brings the grit. Bay brings the speed. Every tackle, every sprint, every try counts.
📅 Friday, April 25, 2025
🕖 Kickoff: 7:00 PM CDT
📍 TCO Stadium, Eagan, MN
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the game, this is the one to watch. Feel the energy. Witness the hits. Support the women redefining rugby in the U.S.
🎟️ Tickets: Grab yours now - https://www.womenseliterugby.us/game/game_12
📺 Can’t make it in person? Catch it live on @daznwsport - for free. - https://www.womenseliterugby.us/watch
Let’s pack the stands and turn up the volume.
#WomensEliteRugby #TCGemini #BayBreakers #RugbyUSA #SupportWomensSports #LiveRugby @wer_gemini @wer_breakers
If you think you’ve seen tough, fast, high-impact sports then think again!
Women’s Elite Rugby is here, and it’s rewriting the rules. Every match delivers raw power, speed, and relentless drive. No timeouts. No holding back. Just 80 minutes of pure intensity.
This is the tournament you didn’t know you needed to see live...
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now - https://www.womenseliterugby.us/2025-schedule
Don’t miss your shot to witness the best.
#WomensRugby #EliteRugby #GameOn #SupportWomenInSports #RugbyUSA #werrugby #wer25















































































































