ABOUT

OUR STORY

Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is the first women’s professional rugby league in the United States. The league, founded in April 2024, debuts its inaugural season in March 2025 with six teams across the United States: Bay Breakers, Boston Banshees, Chicago Tempest, Denver Onyx, New York Exiles, and TC (Twin Cities) Gemini. WER is redefining the perception of rugby in the US, challenging norms and ideals, and creating space for women+ to discover new role models and showcase their unique strengths. The league brings high-energy, risk-taking, intense action alongside inspiring, fearless athletes on and off the pitch. As the first of its kind, fans can expect unapologetically aggressive play, hard hits, powerful tackles, and fierce competition—a movement shaping the future of women’s sports.

WER was established on the foundation of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which served as the highest level of women’s rugby in the US from 2009 until 2024. In 2022, the WPL introduced the Ignite the Change initiative, starting the league on the path to professionalization. As a new professional league, WER honors the legacy of grassroots rugby that has supported one of the fastest-growing sports in the US, and each of the six WER teams were chosen specifically for their ties to WPL teams and strong roots in the rugby community.

HISTORY

The WPL traces its roots back to 2009 when it was established as a player-run organization aiming to provide a competitive platform for women's rugby in the United States. At its inception, the league emerged out of a growing need for a structured and high-caliber competition that would allow women rugby players to showcase their skills and compete at a top level. Recognizing the lack of opportunities for women in rugby, especially at the elite level, a group of players and national team coaches spearheaded by the legendary Kathy Flores and Alex Williams took the initiative to create a league that would address this gap and provide a pathway for advancement in the sport.

Throughout its history, the WPL has served as a vital catalyst for the growth and development of women's rugby in the United States. By providing a platform for elite competition and fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, the league played a significant role in advancing the sport and breaking down barriers for female athletes.