Denver Onyx Beat Chicago Tempest At Home

The TC Gemini, 3-1, hosted the New York Exiles, 1-3, on Sunday, June 7 at TCO Stadium in Eagan, Minnesota, looking to extend their lead at the top of the Women’s Elite Rugby table. The Gemini kicked off in 84 degree weather with 59 percent humidity, some clouds and 16mph winds. Gemini outside center Kathryn “KJ” Johnson found holes in the Exiles’ defense early on, and in the third minute, after a break, passed the ball out to wing Megan Ahnen. Ahnen, who scored a hat trick last week against the Bay Breakers, took the ball over for the try. The conversion was no good leaving Gemini with a 5-0 lead. The Exiles showed promise in the 9th minute, when lock Tara McWilliams broke through the Gemini back line. Realizing she wouldn’t be able to go the distance, she booted the ball down into the try zone, only just failing to touch it down before a Gemini defender. Both teams traded kicks and tackles over the next ten minutes, with neither set of backs making it far across the gain line until the 18th minute when a succession of passes between flanker Brooke Doerscher, fullback Chloe Headland and Ahnen took the Gemini from inside their own half to deep inside Exiles territory. Ahnen was tackled into touch, but in the 20th minute, No. 8 Abbey Jacobs took the ball from the base of a scrum and straight-armed her opposite to cross the line for a try, her fifth of the season and 6th in her WER career. The conversion was no good leaving Gemini 10-0 at the first water break. The Gemini started to established their dominance in the 24th minute, with a crisp series of passes from scrum-half Sophie Pyrz to fly-half Brogan Mior, who took a big hit and drew a defender before offloading to Headland for the try. Headland converted the try and the Gemini led 17-0. The Gemini created some dazzling plays in the backfield but were held up by errors and turnovers, which kept the Exiles in the game in the first half. In the 31st minute, the Gemini pack re-established control and prop Hannah Pfersch scored. Headland’s conversion was good, and the home team led 24-0. The Exiles couldn’t create any magic on offense in the first half, but their defense continued to stymie the Gemini’s efforts to increase the scoreline, making interceptions and forcing errors. Halftime : TC Gemini 24, New York Exiles 0 The Exiles started strong in the second half with substitutes Sarah Minahan taking a quick penalty and offloading to Adriana Castillo. Inside Center Jetta Owens’ conversion was good, cutting the Gemini’s lead to 24-7. The Gemini countered with a try from hooker Sam Brackett. The conversion was no good. Gemini extended their lead to 29-7. The Exiles did not give up, scoring in the 61st minute after a quick tap penalty taken by scrum-half Minahanwho passed it along the line to prop Emily Brower for the try. The last twenty minutes was back-and-forth rugby. In the 64th minute Ahen scored her second try of the match. The conversion was no good but the Gemini led 34-12. The Exiles did counter, as their pack pushed prop Caoimhe O'Sullivan Roche over the line for the try. The conversion from Owens was good and the Exiles had once again cut the lead, to 34-19. In the 70th minute Gemini substitute Morgan Linck made a stunning break to her opponents’ 22 but as she felt a defender bearing down behind her, her pass to a teammate fell short and the Exiles regained possession. In the 78th minute, the Gemini finally sealed their win with a try from substitute Keishanique Moton-Tyler. Headland’s conversion was good, the Gemini led 41-19, and that was left to do was run out the clock, denying the Exiles a bonus point. Final score : 41-19 The TC Gemini are now 4-1 and the New York Exiles are 1-4.

The Bay Breakers, 3-1, travelled to Veterans’ Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts, on Sunday, June 7, to take on the Boston Banshees, 1-3, knowing that a win would keep them near the top of the table at the mid-season mark. Playing in a humid 74 degrees with rain and wind, the Banshees scored first, in the third minute, following a lineout on the 5-meter line. The pack mauled its way to the try line for flanker Gen Quirion to score. The conversion went wide and the Banshees led 5-0. The Breakers countered with a darting run through the back line by outside center Tapaita Satini, and fly-half Laura Bocek, playing the penalty advantage, took a chance with a cross-kick which went into touch. The ensuing penalty took the Breakers to the five-meter line and the pack did the rest, with lock Nikki Lynch scoring her third try of the season. Bocek’s conversion was good, and the Breakers led 7-5 with just over nine minutes played. A storming individual run by Satini gave the Breakers another try in the 12th minute. Bocek’s conversion was good, and the Breakers led, 14-5. A penalty kick from Banshees fly-half Amanda Wild in the 16th minute kept the home team close, 14-8, but the Breakers’ backs kept finding gaps in the Banshees defensive line and their forwards kept the pressure relentless. The rain slowed the offensive playmaking at times, but the Breakers pack finally pushed their powerful maul over for a try, which was scored by flanker Hope Cooper. The conversion didn’t go through, but the Breakers led, 19-8. The Banshees didn’t slow down, with No. 8 Yeja Dunn, WER’s top try scorer in 2025 with 12 tries (60 points), making solid runs and smart passes to their teammates. Wild nearly found Emma Santosuosso on the wing with a cross-kick but the Banshees had to settle for a penalty, which Wild kicked through the posts, bringing her team within eight, 19-11, in the 32nd minute. With just a few minutes remaining in the half, good pressure by the Banshees brought them to the Breakers’ five-meter line, allowing Dunn to show why they’re so dangerous on offense. They made two carries, stretching to touch the ball over the try line after the second run. Wild’s conversion was good and the Banshees trailed by one, 19-18. The two teams split the series last year, and at the half, neither side looked likely to give up first in this match, their first matchup of the 2026 season. Halftime: Bay Breakers 19, Boston Banshees 18 The Banshees started the second half as they’d finished the first, forcing the Breakers back to their own try line and when Dunn failed to score, lock Molly McAlevey did. The kick was good from out wide, and the Banshees had their first lead since the 8th minute, 25-19. The Breakers weren’t done, and after a strong team effort in the 49th minute, substitute back row Roseline Okpara barreled over for a try. The conversion from Bocek was good and the Breakers took the lead again, 26-25 having earned a bonus point. Breakers’ substitute Aly Namosilmalua looked threatening as she broke through the Banshees’ defense in the 61st minute. The visitors managed to keep the pressure on and in the 64th minute, Okpara pushed her way past a few Banshees before being tackled. She took the ball out of the ruck and with a smart pick and go, carried the ball over the line. Bocek’s kick was good, and the Breakers led 33-25. With less than four minutes remaining, Okpara sealed the win for the Breakers, bouncing through two tackles before being taken to the ground and once again taking the ball out of the ruck and crossing the line for a hat trick. Bocek’s conversion squeaked through the posts, and the score was 40-25. Needing another try to get a bonus point, the Banshees hustled to the final whistle but couldn’t get through the Breakers’ defense. Final Score: Bay Breakers 40, Boston Banshees, 25 The Bay Breakers are now 4-1, the Boston Banshees are 1-4.

On the back of her highly anticipated new album, Toy With Me, Trainor expands her impact beyond music with a strategic investment in women’s rugby.

WER’s second season kicks off the first week of May UNITED STATES — Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) today announced a series of key leadership and governance advancements as the league enters its Series A raise on the back of its successful inaugural season. The league is strengthening its leadership bench with proven operators, people who have built audiences, grown revenue, and run businesses with fiscal discipline, to help WER scale faster. Over the past several months, WER has also significantly bolstered its executive leadership team. Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf has transitioned into the role of Chief Sporting Officer, while continuing to serve as President, with oversight of high-performance planning, rugby operations, athlete development, and events. Phil Camm has moved into the role of Chief Commercial Officer, leading the league’s growth strategy. This new leadership structure will report to an already impressive board. At the board level, the league welcomes Priya Oberoi , representing Goddess Gaia Ventures. Her addition deepens the board’s expertise as WER enters its next phase of growth. Oberoi joins board members Randy Little , co-founders Koma Gandy and Jenny Houlihan , and lead investor Deb Henretta. In parallel with these leadership advancements, WER has established a Commercial Advisory Council composed of seasoned industry leaders Teresa Palladino , Liz Anderson , Stacy Jolna , and Rob Candelino . The Council is a senior-advisor group made up of WER stakeholders helping to sharpen the league's commercial plans, focused on marketing, partnerships, broadcast, and investment strategy. More information about the members of WER’s Commercial Advisory Council can be found below. Teresa Palladino Teresa Palladino is a senior marketing executive with global experience building sports and media brands that grow audiences, deepen fan engagement, and drive revenue. She spent a decade at Red Bull creating athlete-led campaigns and partnerships with measurable commercial impact. Most recently, she led brand marketing, storytelling, community engagement, and partnerships for Grand Slam Track’s launch, and earlier helped ONE Championship expand across the Americas through digital and broadcast partnerships. Liz Anderson Liz Anderson is an entertainment and sports marketing leader with 20 years of experience shaping global campaigns. At Netflix, she led strategy for live sports and events, partnering with leagues like the NFL and WWE. She also built the “Netflix is a Joke” brand and marketed comedy worldwide, after leading digital and social strategy at Disney/ABC. Stacy Jolna Stacy Jolna is a C-suite media innovator working across TV, AI, streaming, and social. At TiVo, he built the brand nationwide, secured strategic media investments, and helped drive a successful IPO to a $1B market cap. At News Corp, he created and scaled TV Guide SPOT from concept to a $650M market cap. He also launched CNN Presents and Special Reports, and now leads enViibe, an AI guidance platform for streaming consumers. Rob Candelino Rob Candelino is a globally accomplished Consumer Products executive, investor, advisor and Board member. Most recently, Rob served as CEO of PetSafe Brands, the world’s largest PetTechnology company. Prior to that Rob spent decades at Unilever where he served in a variety of executive roles, most notably as CEO of Thailand and Inland ASEAN. Rob is a Board member of The Scott’s Miracle-Gro Company, where he Chairs the Innovation and Technology Committee, and the Tennessee Theatre. If you have any questions about WER or would like to speak to members of the leadership team please email wer@lindarothpr.com . For the latest news and updates, follow WER on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Media images of Women’s Elite Rugby are available HERE . Headshots of WER leadership are HERE . About WER Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is the first American professional women’s rugby league. The league announced their official launch in 2024 with their inaugural season starting in March 2025 centering six teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Bay Area, and Twin Cities featuring 180 athletes. The mission of the WER is to be the defining standard of rugby in the United States. WER is structured on the stable foundation of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a national, amateur pay-to-play model, high level rugby competition established in 2009. With the creation of Women’s Elite Rugby, world-class women’s rugby will be ushered into the next stage of its evolution and will take women’s rugby in the United States to new heights. For further information visit: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/ .

All 2026 WER matches will be broadcast live on WSN FEBRUARY 18, 2026 – Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) today announced a new media partnership with The Women’s Sports Network (WSN) , the FAST Studios–backed, women’s-sports-only channel. Through the agreement, WSN will serve as the “The Home of WER” for the 2026 season, delivering live and delayed match coverage on its channel under an exclusive content licensing deal. Fans will be able to watch WER matches through a platform designed for modern viewing habits. WSN is free, ad-supported, and widely available across major smart TVs and streaming platforms, including Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, VIZIO WatchFree+, LG Channels on LG Smart TVs, Fubo, Plex and My Free DirecTV. The distribution allows viewers to access WER content on devices they already own without requiring an additional subscription. “For the fans who can’t join us in person, this partnership with The Women’s Sports Network will bring you closer to the action than ever,” said Phil Camm, Chief Commercial Officer for Women’s Elite Rugby . “WSN shares our commitment to women’s sports, and together we’ll deliver a broadcast that gets tight on the explosive collisions, the relentless pace, and the athletic brilliance and unique personalities of our players across the country. With WSN available across multiple platforms nationwide, more fans, longtime rugby supporters and first-timers alike, can tune in and be part of it.” WER will sit alongside a growing slate of top-tier women’s sports programming on WSN, including NWSL, the LPGA Tour, and SailGP, giving fans a single place to watch some of the biggest women’s competitions. “Women’s Elite Rugby embodies the strength, speed, and competitive excellence that define the future of women’s sports,” said Carol Stiff, President of The Women’s Sports Network . “As the Home of WER for the 2026 season, we’re thrilled to showcase these incredible athletes and bring the intensity of elite women’s rugby to fans everywhere through our free, widely accessible platform.” For media members, photographers, videographers and/or content creators interested in hearing more or attending any practices/matches, please fill out the credential form HERE . Your request will be vetted by our PR team and you will receive a confirmation or rejection notification shortly after applying. For the latest news and updates, follow WER on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Media images of Women’s Elite Rugby are available HERE .  About WER Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is the first American professional women’s rugby league. The league announced their official launch in 2024 with their inaugural season starting in March 2025 centering six teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Bay Area, and Twin Cities featuring 180 athletes. The mission of the WER is to be the defining standard of rugby in the United States. WER is structured on the stable foundation of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a national, amateur pay-to-play model, high level rugby competition established in 2009. With the creation of Women’s Elite Rugby, world-class women’s rugby will be ushered into the next stage of its evolution and will take women’s rugby in the United States to new heights. For further information visit: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/ . About The Women’s Sports Network: The Women's Sports Network is the home for women’s sports. A free, ad-supported, 24/7 streaming destination, The Women’s Sports Network is the preferred cable alternative for cord cutters that’s available across Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, VIZIO WatchFree+, LG Channels on LG Smart TVs, Fubo, Plex and My Free DirecTV. Launched by FAST Studios in 2022, The Women's Sports Network is the leading destination where fans can see live games, news and exceptional stories across every women’s sport, including League One Volleyball (LOVB), Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), U.S. Ski and Snowboard,) SailGP, Pac-12, and more – finally leveling the playing field for female athletes. For more information, visit: https://womenssports.com .

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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