Women’s Clubs Gear Up for National Championships

The best Division I, II, and Women’s Premier League (WPL) women’s rugby teams in the country will compete for their respective National Championships at Quail Run Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona on November 12 and 14.  The 2010 Emirates Airline USA Rugby National Championships promise to provide entertaining top-flight women’s rugby.

All of the teams will play on Friday November 12 and Sunday November 14, with one day to rest and recover.  Friday’s undefeated teams will play for National Championships on Sunday. 

Eight WPL teams will assemble in Arizona, but only the four top seeds have a shot at a National Championship.  The WPL is in its second year of existence and is the highest level women’s rugby competition in the country, so the action promises to be thrilling.  The women of New York will defend their 2009 National title as they take on the Berkeley All-Blues in the semi-finals. Beantown will go up against the Minnesota Valkyries in the other semi-final clash on November 12.  The two winning teams will advance to the National Championship game on November 14.

Four of the 12 Division I teams that competed in Austin, Texas over Halloween weekend will converge in Mesa to decide which team will be crowned champions.  The 2009 National Champions, San Diego, will have to fend off Seattle in the semis if they want to repeat in 2010.  Atlanta will take on North Shore in the other semi-finals fixture. The two victorious teams will square off on November 14 in the Championship game.

The tournament will mark the first official Division II women’s rugby championships sanctioned by USA Rugby.  The eight DII teams will contend for the national title, which will be an exciting chance to watch them make American women’s rugby history.  The ground-breaking Division II teams include Albany, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Severn River, Albuquerque, Raleigh, Budd Bay, Pittsburg, and Santa Monica.

MATCH SCHEDULE