New Women’s Rugby Team Grows From High School Roots to Olympic Success
In the winter of her junior year of high school, Claire Bovino saw posters inviting girls to join the school’s rugby team. With no experience in the sport, she decided to give it a try – a decision she describes as the best she ever made. Little did she know that by joining the team, she was stepping into a rich history of women’s rugby in the United States.
The first American rugby game was played in 1874, with the sport spreading across the country over the years. Women’s rugby faced challenges but eventually made its mark, with the U.S. winning Olympic gold medals in 1920 and 1924. However, the sport was removed from the Olympics until its reinstatement in 2016. Major League Rugby was established in 2017 to grow the sport and promote its core values.
The U.S. has seen success on the international stage, including winning the first Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. The sport has continued to grow, with high school teams, collegiate matches, and national competitions now flourishing.
In her two seasons playing rugby, Bovino experienced the sense of community and camaraderie that the sport fosters. From hosting clinics to expanding the team, the growth of women’s rugby has been significant. With a generous donation from a women’s sport investor, Team USA has seen increased support and opportunities for growth.
Through the bonds formed on and off the field, women’s rugby has become a unifying force for athletes across the country. Bovino reflects on her time playing rugby with fondness and appreciation for the lifelong joy it has brought her.
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