Photos: Will Mahoney-Watson (see more)
The ninth season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is poised to begin in its expanded form. Ten teams divided into two pools will play eight regular-season games in September through November before converging on Tucson, Ariz., for the national championship Nov. 10-12.
RELATED: ORSU, Berkeley Win on Day 2 • 2016 WPL Championship Tournament Team • ORSU Home Page
Starting in the northwest corner of the country, Oregon Sports Rugby Union (ORSU) is returning to the western competition along with Berkeley, San Diego, Glendale and newcomer Chicago North Shore. Forwards coach Beckett Royce and backs coach San Juanita Fetuuaho are back in charge, and the duo lead a squad with a variety of experience.
“We have a few new exciting players coming to us from colleges, especially the University of Oregon, and even a couple from our excellent state high school program, Rugby Oregon,” Royce referenced new blood. “We have potentially lost a couple of veterans due to work schedules, and of course losing experience is always a big blow in high-level competitions.”
Fortunately, the Jesters have returners Rachel Johnson and Claire Lundy serving as forwards and backs captains, respectively. The flanker and scrumhalf have been instrumental to the team’s success, and they were two of eight ORSU members who featured on the WPL All-Star team that played the USA. Adrienne Acosta, Fetuuaho, Paris Hart, Molly Luft, Candace Mahoney-Watson and coach/reserve Royce were also in San Diego in July to help the Eagles prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
“A big congratulations to the U.S. National Team for their fourth place finish at the World Cup. Congratulations also to the Black Ferns on a well deserved victory to become world champions,” the former World Cup Eagle noted. “And, with just as much bravado, congrats to the WPL for making this expansion happen. Our nation’s rugby will be better for it.”
ORSU has a challenging schedule in September. Three of its four games next month are on the road (Berkeley, San Diego, Glendale), and the Jesters host Chicago North Shore on Sept. 16. That of course means that the second half of the season in October is less taxing.
“We are thrilled to have more games to play within the season,” Royce confirmed. “It takes games, real competitive games, to develop players and to develop on-field connections within a team. Even eight league matches is a short season, but it is so much better than the scant six-game season that has been the structure previously. Adding Chicago North Shore to the West Conference is a wonderful benefit. … They are well suited to join the West with their positive attitude and physical style of play.”
“ORSU is really looking to start this season where we left off last year at nationals,” Royce explained. “Fifth place was our best-ever finish, but more importantly, the players developed significantly both in mental fortitude and tactical understanding. It will be my great challenge as a coach to keep that momentum going after such a long break and to add new dimensions to our attack and defense. The new talent coming in definitely makes that task a little easier, and the longer season makes that development actually possible.”
ORSU WPL Schedule
Sept 9 @ Berkeley
Sept 16 v Chicago North Shore
Sept 23 @ San Diego
Sept 30 @ Glendale
Oct 15 v Berkeley
Oct 21 @ Chicago North Shore
Oct 28 v San Diego
Nov 4 v Glendale
Nov 10-12 Nationals @ Arizona