Chicago Tempest Announce Their Foundational Five Players Ahead of the League’s Inaugural Season

Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is thrilled to announce that Hallie Martin, Co-Founder and Director of New Media , has been named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 – Sports list for 2025. This honor recognizes young leaders who are redefining innovation, creativity, and impact across the sports industry—and Hallie stands out as a visionary shaping the future of women’s sports. As one of the architects behind WER’s new media strategy, Hallie has played a central role in building a dynamic, athlete-driven digital ecosystem. Her work has elevated the visibility of women’s rugby, empowered athletes to share their stories, and helped position WER as one of the fastest-growing emerging sports leagues in the United States. “Hallie’s creative leadership and commitment to amplifying athlete voices have been instrumental to our early success,” said Jessica Hammond-Graf, WER President. “Her selection to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list is a tremendous honor and a testament to the bold, innovative approach she brings to WER every day. We are incredibly proud of her.” Forbes highlighted Hallie for her forward-thinking approach to storytelling, fan engagement, and digital innovation—key pillars of WER’s growth strategy. Her ability to merge strategic content creation with a deep passion for equity in sports has helped shape a league that prioritizes visibility, inclusivity, and community-building. Hallie’s recognition places her among an elite group of young changemakers who are challenging traditional models and ushering in the next era of sports leadership. Her work at WER reflects not only her personal excellence, but also a broader movement driving new opportunities for women athletes across professional sports. For the full list of 2026 honorees click HERE.

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

Knowledge is Power: Breast Cancer Awareness Month with WER

Where pride meets play: honoring Hispanic Heritage Month across WER

Our Moment is Now

Denver Onyx defeat New York Exiles 53-13 in 2025 Legacy Cup 

Rugby 101 As we gear up for the Legacy Cup, we want to make sure you’re fully prepared, so we’ve put together a quick Rugby 101 guide to help you get started!

Denver Onyx are headed to the Legacy Cup! Denver Onyx have secured their spot in the Legacy Cup on Saturday, June 29 at 2PM CT in Eagan, Minnesota . Get your tickets now to watch the Onyx compete live!

Our broadcast partnership with DAZN is being paused, with both sides aligned on the need to reassess the broadcast strategy moving forward. We appreciate DAZN’s early commitment, however challenges have meant we are pausing all broadcasts while we evaluate how to deliver the fan experience we promised. We are actively pursuing an alternative with the intention of being back on air as soon as possible for the remainder of the regular season and Legacy Cup. We will share updates as they become available.