Providence Women’s Rugby Club Heading to Nationals
GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle
Providence Women’s Rugby Club Heading to Nationals
This is their first appearance on the national stage, after recently winning the Club Atlantic Super Regional Playoffs.
The team has an extra fire under them to win nationals in tribute to the team's late coach, Kathy Flores, who passed away from colon cancer last October.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The theme for this season is: For Kathy," says Providence co-captain, Ashley Hanson.
A member of the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame, Flores had played on Florida State University’s rugby team, winning four national championships, and in 2013 accepted Brown University’s head coaching position, where the Kathy Flores Head Coaching Chair for Women's Rugby was established in her honor.
“Kathy was with us starting in 2014,” said Myrta Ventura, the current team coach. “She found her way to us, and we were fortunate to have her here. She was such an advocate for the game — and she had friends on all continents.”
About Providence Women’s Rugby
According to Ventura, the team’s numbers have continued to grow. The club has two seasons — the “15s” in the spring and fall, and “7s” in the summer.
And during the winter? Indoor practices can sometimes start as late as 10:30 PM — and finish up at 11:30.
“Our numbers have grown. We’ve got 20-25 players regularly showing up for practice,” said Ventura.
In the warmer months, the team practices on a public field on Shipyard Street, by the Johnson & Wales Harborside campus.
“For me, the most exciting part is the community that makes up our team — students, nurses, businesswomen, teachers — we have all sorts of people who participate,” said Ventura. “To have all these people care about the sport and come together to play is one of the most beautiful parts of this.”
Ventura said while some of the team members come from a rugby background, some have joined the sport later in life.
“We have a lot of people who’ve never played. I’d say college players are now about half of our team, so half haven’t played before,” said Ventura. “Some come in with a base knowledge and some come in brand new.”
Ventura cited the team’s captains — Ashley Hanson and Tiffany McCoy — for leading the way to nationals.
“This team is really a testament to what leadership looks like,” said Ventura. “Losing a coach is never easy. They’ve taken that adversity and it's fueled them to succeed.”
You can follow — and support the team in their effort — here.