Women's Elite Rugby Season Two: Building on Momentum
Women's Elite Rugby (WER), the US semi-professional rugby union competition, kicks off its second season on Saturday in Massachusetts and Illinois. Dr Jessica Hammond-Graf, president and chief sporting officer, reflects on the league's journey from grassroots to a more professional environment, aiming to elevate the sport ahead of the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup on American soil.
A Unique Path to Rugby Leadership
Hammond-Graf, a former fly-half, did not grow up with rugby. She discovered the sport in college at the University of Connecticut, starting her first game without knowing the positions. Her rugby career included coaching at Temple University, playing for the New Orleans Half-Moons, and representing the US Eagles sevens team. She stepped away from rugby before joining WER's first external board in 2022, leveraging her background in college athletics to shape the league.
Season One Lessons and Venue Challenges
Season one launched with six teams, culminating in the Denver Onyx winning the inaugural WER Legacy Cup in June 2025. Hammond-Graf notes that securing appropriate venues was the hardest task. This season, the Bay Breakers move to Heart Health Park in Sacramento, and Chicago shifts to Benedictine University for better training facilities. The league aims to right-size venues to capture audiences without oversized stadiums.
New Investors and Policy Challenges
Season two brings Grammy-winning singer Meghan Trainor as an investor. However, the league faces controversy over USA Rugby's rule changes regarding trans players in women's rugby, driven by Olympic status and federal pressure. WER has stated it does not agree with the changes and will work to ensure inclusion on and off the pitch.
Player Pathways and Expansion Plans
Five WER players were selected for the US Eagles squad in the recent Pacific Four series. Hammond-Graf emphasizes casting a wide net for talent, including college players, and eliminating barriers to tryouts. Five of six teams retain their season one coaches. Chicago, winless last season, aims for improvement under Kristin Zdanczewicz. The league plans to expand into untapped regions like the South and West Coast, including DC, North Carolina, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
Looking Ahead to 2033
With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2031 and 2033 World Cups on US soil, WER seeks to build a fanbase and create a professional pathway. Hammond-Graf envisions young players seeing professional rugby as a viable career, as evidenced by a Dartmouth senior announcing plans to play professionally. The league's mission is to elevate the game and change the landscape of women's rugby in the US.
