by Jenny Menke

http://www.uswrf.org/

A periodic feature focusing on rugby intelligence found online

The US Women’s Rugby Foundation works to foster growth of women’s rugby in the United States and throughout the world.  The site seeks to serve as a central place where players, referees, coaches, supporters, and researchers can go to learn about all aspects of women’s rugby. While the site is not the definitive venue for all things related to women’s rugby, it does offer a number of engaging pages and is worth the time to browse. 

For those of us who started playing in the 1990s and 2000s, the Foundations’ History page gives a concise nod to the pioneers who came before us.  Surely, there is something to learn from these women who came first, breaking ground in the sport and bringing rugby to “the fairer sex.” Also of interest is the Quick Links page, guiding athletic-minded Web-surfers to a number of online sites including those for the women’s national rugby team and the Women Sport Report, a women’s online sports magazine. The Community link on the main page leads readers to a number of articles about rugby in the community. These personal stories allow rugby fans to see how women ruggers are making an impact in the world around them by introducing both the game of rugby and the spirit of the sport to others.

Just as our clubs work to support our players and our community, the US Women’s Rugby Foundation also seeks contributors. If interested, one may become involved with the group by volunteering his/her time and expertise or joining the Foundation’s mailing list.  Additionally, the organization has non-profit status, so that supporters can help the Foundation in its mission to continue research, develop a women’s rugby festival, and document the history of women’s rugby in the Unites States. The US Women’s Rugby Foundation fosters a sense of pride in the sport that we love and it will hopefully fulfill its mission to give women’s rugby supporters a voice.