TC Gemini Announce 2025 Athlete Roster
Written by Ro Lane, WER
Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) team, the Twin Cities (TC) Gemini , today announced its team roster for the WER inaugural season. The Gemini roster is composed of 29 players – 17 forwards and 12 backs. The team, coached by Sylvia Braaten , will make its debut appearance this March. WER is the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States, and is building up an exciting and inspiring initial season.
“We couldn't be more excited about our team and the upcoming inaugural WER season. Our players are hungry and have proven they are ready to put in the work and build this pre-season. Some of the key factors we were looking for when selecting our team was work rate, ability to beat defenders and dominate collisions. We're excited to showcase that tenacity and aggression on both sides of the ball this season. We've brought in several players from outside our market to join with our local talent pool so we are putting a lot of focus into building cohesion and connection on and off the pitch. When we get that right, we'll have the ability to turn heads this season,” said head coach Sylvia Braaten, looking to build on a strong coalition of rugby in the Twin Cities. The Gemini roster includes 19 athletes who played in the Women’s Premier League, 12 of whom have been part of the local Twin Cities Amazons club. Braaten’s list also includes 3 athletes with USA National Team experience.
Inaugural 2025 Twin Cities Gemini Roster
Forwards: Emerson Allen , Sam Brackett, Brooke Doerscher, Ali Gillberg, Marisa Hall , Abbey Jacobs , Emilee Jalosuo, Emily Juhl, Alivia Leatherman, Lucy Leatherman, Emily Mack, Katrina Nunes , Antonina O'Neill, Hannah Pfersch, Josie Rogers, Tara Viken, Mikey Williams
Backs: Sam Black, Ciara Clawson, Isabelle Currie, Bianca Curtis, Kailynn Hampton, Maggie Kleyer, Kayla Lawson, Desiree Leaupepe, Serena Liu, Joana Marrese, Tatyana Reed, Trinity Todd
Earlier this month , the Gemini announced their Foundational Five (F5) players, who are recognized leaders and trailblazers for the team. These players, Emerson Allen, Abbey Jacobs, Marisa “Ris” Hall, Katrina “Trina” Nunes, and Tatyana Reed, are joined by this exciting roster of players to create the Gemini’s tenacious and unstoppable force team that is ready to take on WER’s inaugural season.
Ahead of the franchise’s season opener, the Gemini begin preseason conditioning and practice this week, after all players are cleared as ready-to-play. As one of WER’s flagship franchises, alongside teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York and San Francisco Bay Area, the TC Gemini are competing for the WER Legacy Cup with the established franchise teams. The 2024 Legacy Cup, the first WER championship, was won by the WPL’s Denver Gray Wolves against the All Blues. As the premier full season of the WER takes place, fans can keep up with the TC Gemini via the Gemini’s website, womenseliterugby.us/tc-gemini
, and Instagram, @wer_gemini.
About Twin Cities Gemini
The Twin Cities (TC) Gemini are one of six flagship franchises of women’s professional rugby in the United States, formed by Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) . Coached by Sylvia Braaten , who has competed and coached at the elite level, the Gemini aim to embody its namesake as a team that is united in strength and unyielding in battle. With a top-notch roster of 29 select players, the Gemini are set to kick off their season this March. For more information, visit the team’s website, womenseliterugby.us/tc-gemini and follow the team on Instagram @wer_gemini.
About WER
After the 2022 “Ignite the Change” campaign which sought to professionalize women’s rugby in the United States from the former player run and operated amateur league (WPL), Women’s Elite Rugby was founded and formed. The league announced their official launch in 2024 with the inaugural season starting in March 2025. The season will center six teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and Twin Cities and feature 180 athletes.
For more information, please contact:
Women’s Elite Rugby






