Boston Banshees Announces Their Foundational Five Players Ahead of the League’s Inaugural Season
WRITTEN BY Allison Smith, WER
UNITED STATES— Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), which will be the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States, reveals their foundational five (F5) players for each of the six market teams in preparation for their inaugural season starting in March of this year.
Coming off the announcement of their team names and crests last week, WER continues to build on the momentum and excitement of the league by announcing foundational five players for each team. Each coach drafted five players for their team with the goal to build dynamic and diverse groups that span positions, but also have connections to the city and communities that they will play in. "We are thrilled to announce the foundational five players for each of our six market teams. Our head coaches selected foundational players of the highest caliber and talent in terms of their on pitch play and expertise but also their off pitch leadership and community connection to lead their teams this season. Additionally, these players have an enduring commitment to the game of rugby and continue to work to grow the game here at WER and beyond", said WER President Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf .
For Boston, head coach Kittery Ruiz selected Cassidy “Cass” Bargell (Silverthome, CO), Yejadai “Yeja” Dunn (Apple Valley, CA), Emily “Em” Henrich (Orchard Park, NY), Akweley “Q” Okine (West Chester, PA), and Paige Stathopoulos (East Sandwich, MA). Ruiz brings a wealth of experience to the helm of WER Boston and has close ties to New England as she has previously coached as an assistant at Brown University, served as head coach of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Beantown team, as well as serving as the WPL’s commissioner from 2019 to 2022. Ruiz also brings national team experience into her new role as both a player and coach having played for the USA Women’s National Team 15s from 2006 to 2014 and played in the 2014 World Cup in France, as well serving as an assistant coach for the team since 2023.
Boston Banshees Foundational Five Players
Cass Bargell is from Silverthorne, CO where along with being a multi-sport athlete participating in basketball, gymnastics, swimming, skiing, and snowboarding, she played for Summit High School from 2013 to 2018. No stranger to excellence, Bargell was a state champion every year at Summit and brings a wealth of experience to Coach Ruiz’s roster. Bargell played for Harvard from 2018 to 2022 where she won a National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) championship in 2019, Beantown RFC in 2024, and was a member of the USA 7s/15s development pathways from 2016 to 2024 which led to her selection to the USA Senior National 15s in 2024. For WER Boston, Bargell will play the nine, half-scrum position. “Cassidy has faced significant personal challenges to make it back onto the pitch. From the rugby fields of Harvard to representing the USA on the world stage, her story is one of extraordinary resilience. Every setback, every obstacle, became fuel for her relentless pursuit of greatness. She didn’t just overcome her challenges—she transformed them into the strength that defines her as a player and a champion”, said Ruiz.
Yeja Dunn from Apple Valley, CA brings versatility to WER Boston as they will play the hooker, two position, and eight-man for the team. Dunn is no stranger to the New England areas as they played for Dartmouth College from 2012 to 2016, where they were selected as an USA Rugby Collegiate All-American in 2015 and 2016. They also played for Beantown RFC from 2016 to 2024 and were selected to join the USA Player Pool from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2022 to 2024. According to Ruiz, Dunn’s leadership makes them stand out as an unequivocal F5 selection for Boston, “Yeja has been a cornerstone of Beantown for the past eight WPL seasons, a true leader both on and off the field. Their dedication to rugby runs deep, from their time at Dartmouth to forging their path through the USA pathways. With every tackle, every pass, and every step, they’ve shown what it means to lead with heart, commitment, and an unwavering passion for the game.”
Q Okine from West Chester, PA will play the loosehead prop, one position, and second row/lock (4/5 positions) for WER Boston. Similar to her other F5 teammates, Okine has strong ties to New England having played for Harvard from 2015 to 2019 where she became a NIRA champion in 2019 alongside Bargell. After college Okine played for the WPL’s Colorado Grey Wolves (formerly known as the Glendale Merlins) from 2019 to 2020 where she won a league championship before joining Beantown RFC in 2022 where she would play until 2024. “As a strong leader on Beantown, Q embodies the spirit of dedication, showing that true athletes don't just play the game—they elevate it. From two WPL teams to the storied fields of Harvard, she has proven that leadership extends far beyond the pitch. It’s about resilience, commitment, and the ability to inspire others to rise to their fullest potential. Her journey stands as a powerful example of how leadership is earned, not given, and how athletes redefine the game with both heart and hard work”, said Ruiz.
Emily Henrich from Orchard Park, NY has been a highly successful athlete for quite some time as she was nationally ranked aerial skier winning the USA Eastern Championships in 2014. Additionally, Henrich lettered for her soccer and basketball teams at Orchard Park High School. As a rugby player, Henrich was a three-time High School All-American (2014-2016) before moving on to play at Dartmouth from 2018 to 2023. She was named a U20 All-American in 2017 and 2018, U23 All-American in 2023. Henrich also brings international experience to WER Boston as she has 20 caps with USA Eagles 15s, the first being in November 2018 against the Black Ferns and was a silver medalist in the 2019 Pan American Games with USA 7s. In the league’s former iteration, Henrich played for Beantown RFC (2022-2024) and also plays center for the Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Women’s Rugby League. Ruiz expressed the elation of adding Henrich to her squad, stating, “From Dartmouth through the USA Rugby pathways, and now standing proudly on the world stage, her journey is defined by unwavering determination and heart. Returning from the PWR to represent Boston in its inaugural season, she’s not just playing the game—she’s shaping its future. Every setback has been a stepping stone, every new chapter an opportunity to lead and inspire. She proves that with hard work, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, anything is possible.”
Paige Stathopoulos, the hometown kid from East Sandwich, MA rounds out WER Boston’s F5 players selected by Coach Ruiz. Stathopoulos found rugby in college at Boston University where she also played ice hockey for the Terriers from 2012 to 2016. She then went on to play for Northeast Academy, a program known for developing national and international talent from 2014 to 2019 which led to her selection for the USA Falcon 7s in 2019 and selection to the USA 15s in 2023. Stathopoulos played in the WPL for the Glendale Merlins in 2019 winning a championship alongside her then and now teammate Okine before joining Beantown in 2020 where she played the next four seasons. Stathopoulos will most likely play the hooker, two position for WER Boston. “Paige’s journey is the embodiment of relentless determination. From moving across states to venturing across the pond to play in the PWR, she has never wavered in her pursuit of excellence. She has proven that with passion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication, the path to greatness is built one step at a time”, expounded Ruiz.
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 centering six teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and Twin Cities featuring 180 athletes.
For more information, please contact:
Women’s Elite Rugby
inquiries@womenseliterugby.us
