Denver Onyx Announce 2025 Athlete Roster
Written by Ro Lane, WER
Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) team, the Denver Onyx , today announced its team roster for the WER inaugural season. The Onyx roster is composed of 29 players – 16 forwards and 13 backs. The team, coached by Sarah Chobot , 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.
When asked what the Onyx will bring to the inaugural season, head coach Chobot said, “I am very excited to push this team to play a fun brand of rugby. Top to bottom, they’re good rugby players, and tremendous humans! This team is spicy, so bring the milk and get ready to be entertained!” The Onyx have a strong fleet of Women’s Premier League alumni, with 26 of 29 players having played in the amateur league previously. Chobot’s team also brings a wealth of international experience, with 8 capped USA National Team athletes on the roster.
Inaugural 2025 Denver Onyx Roster
Forwards:
Kapoina Bailey, Jeanna Beard, Tahlia Brody, Sheila Decker, Rachel Ehrecke
, Saher Hamdan, Carson Hann, Rachel Johnson, Laura LaVigne, Maya Learned,
Hannah Long, Evie Oglesby, Gabby Rivera, Gianna Solomon, Amy Spafford, Hallie Taufoou
Backs: Alessandra Bender Cruz, Kristin Bitter, KB Slaughter, Monique Coffey, Erica Coulibaly , Denali Graham, McKenzie Hawkins, Kianna Lally, Kelsie O'Brien, Justine Perl, Julie Tordonato, Carly Waters, Tahna Wilfley
Earlier this month the Onyx announced their Foundational Five (F5) players, who are recognized leaders and trailblazers for the team. These players, Erica “Rica” Coulibaly, Rachel Ehrecke, McKenzie Hawkins, Maya Learned and Tahna “T” Wilfley, are joined by the rest of this exciting roster of players to create the Onyx’s resilient and unbreakable team that is ready to take on WER’s inaugural season.
Ahead of the franchise’s season opener, the Onyx 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, New York, San Francisco Bay Area and Twin Cities, the Denver Onyx 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 Denver Onyx schedule, kicking off in March, via the Onyx’s website, womenseliterugby.us/denver-onyx , and Instagram, @wer_denver.
About Denver Onyx
The Denver Onyx are one of six flagship franchises of women’s professional rugby in the United States, formed by Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) . Coached by Sarah Chobot, who has competed and coached at the elite level, the Onyx aim to embody its namesake as a rare, resilient and relentless team. With a top-notch roster of 29 select players, the Onyx are set to kick off their season this March. For more information, visit the team’s website, womenseliterugby.us/denver-onyx and follow the team on Instagram @wer_denver.
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




