Women’s rugby: Team spirit, physical challenge motivate players

A woman in a red uniform runs with a rugby ball as one in a black and maroon uniform pursues her.

Badger rugby player Lexi “Kapow” Pauzauskie advances the ball, with a Gopher player in hot pursuit. Photo by Paige Valley

Women in red uniforms all bring their hands together in a photo taken from below.

The team comes together for a cheer before the game.

Two teams of women form a scrum, that is, players on each side crouch close to the ground in a group and push hard against the opposing team, also crouched to the ground.

The Badgers and Gophers form a scrum during the game, which the Badgers narrowly lost 31-30. Photo by Paige Valley

A woman in a red uniform runs hard with the rugby ball as an opponent clutches at her.

Ella “Boo Boo” Mueller runs the ball. Photo by Paige Valley

A woman being tackled tosses the rugby ball to another woman striding up the field.

Anna Chung tosses the ball to Lexi “Kapow” Pauzauskie during the game.

To see all the scrums and tackles and drop kicks on the field during their match on Saturday, you’d never guess that most of the women on the University of Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Football Club team had never played the sport before joining.

“It’s a sport that a lot of people try for the first time in college,” says club team player and senior Lily Spanbauer, who herself was new to it. “I would say, out of our team of 30-plus, probably three or four girls played prior. Most people coming in were new, and they go in advertising that they take people of all skills.”

Rugby Club President Kassie Wurtinger and Spanbauer were both new to the sport but found themselves drawn to the team’s strong sense of community and the opportunity to challenge themselves in a highly physical — and mental — sport.

“Learning a new sport, especially as intricate as rugby, can feel very confusing and like a lot of information, but I have learned the rugby community is so kind and understanding, and they make it a lot easier,” says Wurtinger.

On Saturday, the team lost 31-30 to the University of Minnesota rugby club, but the excitement and team spirit were evident.

The University of Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Football Club cheers before taking on the University of Minnesota Women’s Rugby Club at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo by Paige Valley / UW–Madison) Photo by Paige Valley

A woman in red leans forward with effort as another tries to drag her down.

Vivian “Biff” Silva is tackled by a defender. Photo by Paige Valley

A woman holds on to the rugby ball and runs, knees high, as others pursue.

Winnie Bishop sprints with the ball, intent on scoring. Photo by Paige Valley

As a player runs in the foreground, fans cheer in the background.

Fans cheer the team on. Photo by Paige Valley

A woman sets a rugby ball down on the grass as others watch.

UW–Madison’s Lexi “Kapow” Pauzauskie scores a try, meaning she ran the ball into the end zone and set it down. Photo by Paige Valley

Women in red uniforms hug the woman who scored.

Teammates celebrate a score. Photo by Paige Valley

A woman in a red rugby uniform runs hard as another clutches the back of her jersey.

Phoebe Paster pushes through defenders. Photo by Paige Valley

But it’s also a sport that’s coming into its own. This summer at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, U.S. women’s rugby stars like Illona Maher and Wisconsin’s very own Alev Kelter not only won a bronze medal, they also won over millions of Americans to a sport already popular in other parts of the globe.

For the UW–Madison Women’s Club rugby team, this isn’t news.

“As women’s rugby players, we’ve always known the value of our sport and women’s sports in general, but to see others recognize it, and acknowledge these incredible athletes, brings a sense of pride and hope,” says Wurtinger. “This attention not only highlights the sport and its players, but it also creates opportunities for growth, allowing more people — especially the younger generation — to become aware, get involved, and help the sport expand.”

After only a few months of competing with the club team, Wurtinger attended the Collegiate Rugby Championship in New Orleans, and grew even closer with her teammates and coaches.

There are many complexities to learn. In the fall, the team plays 15s style rugby, which essentially means there’s 15 active players per team on the field. In the spring, they play 7s style rugby, meaning seven individuals are playing per team.

Two women in red team up to tackle an opponent in a black uniform.

Tao Tao Stolz (bottom) and Kassie Wurtinger tackle an opponent. Photo by Paige Valley

A woman tackles another woman holding a rugby ball.

Greta Turner Zick, a team captain, plays tough defense as she takes down an opponent. Photo by Paige Valley

Two women in red uniforms smile and hug, as other players crowd in the background.

Teammates celebrate after a big play.

A woman pushes another woman who is running with the ball.

Captain Alena “Chainz” Schlenvogt encourages teammate Phoebe Paster to run. Photo by Paige Valley

For Spanbauer, a long-time runner, rugby presented a new set of physical challenges.

“I think that it’s a great representation of the strength and capabilities of women in sports,” says Spanbauer. “It’s one of those things that makes you understand how amazing your body is.”

That being said, Spanbauer also acknowledged there are many misconceptions about the physicality of women’s rugby – ones she hoped to clear up.

“In rugby they really do focus on safety and your body positioning,” says Spanbauer. “The first thing you learn is how to safely tackle people.”

Spanbauer explained how in rugby you must tackle below the sternum in order to be considered a legal hit. This not only protects players heads but their necks, spines and more.

Wurtinger embraced the inclusivity that rugby presents to all athletes whether they be college students trying it out for the first time, or longtime players an opportunity to get involved.

“It’s truly designed for all body types, ages, and backgrounds—there’s a role for everyone on the field,” says Wurtinger. “Especially for women, rugby allows us to embrace our strength and physicality, which is both empowering and rewarding.”

A woman in a red uniform walks off a field with another, her arm draped over her shoulder.

Players leave the field after the game. Photo by Paige Valley