Co-captain Lauren Trout during the 2016 DI final / Photos: Brittany Biedenbender
Traditionally, teams have joined the Women’s Premier League (WPL) after winning Division I, and Chicago North Shore – 2011 DI champion and runner-up in 2014 and 2016 – could have challenged for a WPL spot in the past. But there are many components to sustaining success in the travel-heavy, densely scheduled league, and it wasn’t until 2017 that North Shore felt confident in committing to the nation’s elite competition.
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“The WPL has been a present topic of conversation ever since the league formed [in 2009],” said Chicago North Shore assistant forwards coach Lani Larson, a longtime lock until June 2016. “We ultimately wanted to strive for it. We’re a competitive team in a lot of ways. We’ve had the opportunity before … but this year’s request aligned with the monetary support, coaching, and the drive and commitment from the team to improve our play. The club was in the right position to accept it.”
The past couple of seasons have been led by captain-coaches Lauren Trout and Christiane Pheil, who has just returned from Ireland and the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We had very strong player-coaches and we did well under them,” Larson said. “But any time you transition to a more competitive league, it puts a big stress on a team.”
Player-turned-coach Lani Larson / Photo: Brittany Biedenbender
Enter Thys Wallace, a South Africa native who first picked up a rugby ball at age six, following in the footsteps of his well known father. Now a USA Rugby Level 300 coach, Wallace made his international debut when he was selected to the South Africa Rhinos, the country’s national rugby league team, as a 17-year-old. At 23, he took an opportunity to play “vacation rugby” in California and suited up for Santa Monica. Falling in love with the west coast, he joined the Belmont Shore Super League team playing for almost nine years as a fullback, wing, center and later flanker and No. 8.
He always found himself coaching the teams he played on and developed a thirst for learning, which led to attending the Laurie Mains Rugby Academy in New Zealand, Jake White’s Academy in Cape Town, and more recently the Stellenbosch Rugby Academy in South Africa while on tour with the Tornados, the Illinois all-state high school team.
Wallace, his wife and three kids moved to Chicago in 2011 to be closer to family, and craving rugby, he started coaching New Trier High School and later got involved with Northwestern University.
Charli Jacoby / Photo: Brittany Biedenbender
“Thys is ready to take on the new challenge coaching women’s rugby and we believe his credentials, passion for the game and personality are all a great fit to lead North Shore as we move into the WPL,” Larson wrote.
In addition to Larson as forwards coach, the staff is bolstered by the return of backs coach James Constantinidis, who also hails from Northwestern University and is in his second season with North Shore.
The roster has shifted as well. As some players cycle out due to the taxing travel, new Chicago residents and players from other Midwest clubs have joined in search of next-level competition. Larson indicated that the numbers have evened out, and the board is actively strategizing on how to connect with top collegiate programs and build feeders.
With the new coach, new players and new league, the leadership is well aware that it needs stability. Larson explained that the team is setting tangible goals for the playing field, and it’s embracing the opportunity to learn and adjust throughout the season.
Lizzy Bristow / Photo: Brittany Biedenbender
“We are certainly excited to find out what the difference really is when it actually comes to game time,” Larson said. “The ladies are extremely excited to come up against good competition on a regular basis and challenge themselves. They’ve put in a lot of extra work to really prepare for the upcoming season.”
Chicago North Shore has played Twin Cities and Glendale in competitive friendlies over the years, but is looking forward to one opponent in particular.
“[In 2014], that was a tough loss to ORSU,” Larson grimaced at the memory of that DI national final. “We had a really great match against them and want to show them how we’ve really grown and adjusted.
“Glendale is always good – we have a lot of former teammates there and have a friendly rivalry,” Larson surveyed the Blue Conference. “The Surfers are top of the WPL league and will be a challenge for us. We’re excited to see how they play and what tools they have and how we can adjust.”
Photo: Brittany Biedenbender
Off the field, Chicago North Shore wants to maintain the positivity and drive that have helped elevate the club to the WPL.
“Organizationally, we are looking to maintain our strong club culture,” Larson said. “We really have a family aspect about us that we’re looking to grow and develop, and we don’t want to change too much in that respect.”
Chicago North Shore will play a warm-up match against DI Chicago this weekend then play its first-ever WPL match on Sept. 9 against the Glendale Merlins in Colorado. Below is North Shore’s WPL Blue Conference schedule:
Sept. 9 @ Glendale
Sept. 16 @ ORSU
Sept 24 v Berkeley
Oct 7 v San Diego
Oct 8 v San Diego
Oct 14 v Glendale
Oct 21 v ORSU
Oct 29 @ Berkeley
Nov 10-12 Championship @ Tucson