Women's Elite Rugby

UNITED STATES — Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is announcing an expanded partnership with the You Can Play Project , reinforcing the shared commitment to create team cultures where LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, officials, and fans are safe, supported, and able to compete authentically at every level of the game.  The announcement comes after WER capped off Pride month on Sunday, June 21 with a slate of Pride games featuring all 6 teams. Players could be seen warming up in WER x You Can Play t-shirts with the message “If you can play, you can play.” Building on a partnership that began during WER’s inaugural season, the expanded collaboration with You Can Play will bring enhanced education, resources, and allyship programming directly into the rugby community. “Rugby has always been about community, connection, and belonging, and Women’s Elite Rugby firmly stands for inclusion,” said Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf, WER President and Chief Sporting Officer . “While we are required to operate within the bounds of our national governing body, we are grateful to partner with the folks at You Can Play to ensure a safe and welcoming environment at all levels of the game. Inclusion doesn’t start or end with WER - we need LGBTQ+ individuals as athletes, coaches, and administrators from youth through international competitions - so everyone can enjoy rugby.” “We're excited to expand our partnership with Women’s Elite Rugby and work alongside a community that understands the power of inclusion and belonging," said Kurt Weaver, Executive Director of You Can Play . "WER is creating opportunities for athletes and the rugby community to compete in a safe and welcoming environment, and we're proud to support that work through education and resources that help coaches, officials, and teams build welcoming programs for everyone.” A cornerstone of the expanded partnership will be WER working with You Can Play to host Inclusive Coach Courses, designed specifically for the rugby community. The program, built for coaches by coaches, will equip coaches with practical tools and training to foster inclusive, welcoming environments for all players. You Can Play’s Master Coaches will lead interactive and scenario based sessions, focused on exemplifying skills coaches can use immediately in their coaching and refereeing. As WER continues its second season, the league remains focused on creating a professional environment that reflects the diversity of its athletes and the global rugby community, both on and off the field. All matches will be streamed live on Women’s Sports Network. Tickets can be purchased at womenseliterugby.us/tickets . For the latest news and updates, follow WER on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .

UNITED STATES — Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) , the premier professional women’s rugby league in the United States, today announced a series of midseason roster and staffing updates as the league continues its second season.  Highlighting the next generation of talent, Tiahna Padilla , selected by the TC Gemini in the spring draft, recently won the MA Sorensen Award , given to the top collegiate rugby player in the country. Her recognition underscores the strength of emerging talent entering the WER pipeline. The TC Gemini also adds international experience to its staff with Laura Delgado , a former Spanish rugby union international, joining as an assistant coach. Delgado will also be playing for the Barbarians before she arrives. Across the league, teams are making key midseason additions. The Boston Banshees picked up two mid-season transfers in Kelsie O’Brien (from the Denver Onyx) and Sophie Lamphier (from the Bay Breakers), strengthening its roster for the second half of the season. The New York Exiles added Kailynn Hampton , a top try scorer from the Gemini last season, bringing even more offensive production to the squad. WER also welcomes back elite talent, with three USA Eagles returning to league play: Rachel Ehrecke (Denver Onyx), Paige Stathopoulos (Boston Banshees), and Cheta Emba (Boston Banshees). Ehrecke and Stathopoulos return following a successful season in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) with Loughborough Lightning, further elevating the level of competition across the league. Several WER athletes and coaches will also represent the United States on the international stage this summer. Denver Onyx Head Coach Sarah Chobot joined the USA Eagles on their South Africa tour on July 4 and will continue to do so on July 11. Current WER players on the USA roster are: Kapoina Bailey (Denver Onyx), Lauryn Carlton (Boston Banshees), Rachel Ehrecke (Denver Onyx), Paige Stathopoulos (Boston Banshees), Bulou Mataitoga (Bay Breakers), Taina Tukuafu (Bay Breakers) and Telesi Uhatafe (Bay Breakers). Kristin “Ham” Zdanczewicz will represent the USA U20 women’s team on their South Africa series on July 18 and July 25. Additionally, the USA Eagles will compete on a Brazil tour in July/August that is expected to feature a number of WER players. Coaching adjustments will accompany these international call-ups. While Chobot is out, Rachel Johnson will serve as acting Head Coach for the Denver Onyx, and Kaitlyn Kelly will serve as acting Head Coach in Chicago while Zdanczewicz is on tour. These updates reflect the continued growth of Women’s Elite Rugby and its role in developing and elevating top domestic and international talent, while contributing to the broader USA Rugby pathway. For the latest news and update, follow WER on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn . About Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is redefining the future of the sport in the United States as the first professional women’s rugby league. Officially launched in 2024, WER’s inaugural season kicked off in March 2025 with six founding teams across Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Northern California, and the Twin Cities, featuring 180 of the world’s top athletes. Built on the competitive legacy of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), WER evolves the game from amateur roots into a professional stage built for longevity, unlocking new opportunities for athletes, partners, and fans. With a focus on elite competition, commercial growth, and cultural relevance, WER is ushering in the next stage of rugby in the United States. For further information visit: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/ .