Former player Cassidy Meyers is helping interim coach Trevor Richards. / Photo courtesy CWU Women’s Rugby
Central Washington joined the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) for the 2016 season and became the lone varsity member west of Ohio. The Wildcats get the three requisite league games by hosting one NIRA member and then playing a double-header on the East Coast, and the rest of the schedule is reinforced with competitive games against teams like BYU, Seattle Saracens, or like this weekend’s opponent, Life University.
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Central Washington enjoyed rapid success under previous coach Mel Denham, who recruited very well from the Pacific coast in particular. Many USA Rugby and NIRA All-Americans call Ellensburg, Wash., home during the school year. In mid-August, CWU announced that Denham had resigned and accepted the Harvard women’s rugby head coaching position, which had become available after Sue Parker’s departure and a month after The Harvard Crimson posted this article.
Central Washington looked internally for a replacement, and Trevor Richards, who was serving as graduate assistant to the men’s team, committed to the interim head coach role a week-and-a-half before the season began.
“It’s a transitional phase for sure,” Richards said. “We also have fewer resources at our disposal than last year – which has nothing to do with school support but just because things are so late in happening.”
Richards is grateful to have Cassidy Meyers beside him. The All-American standout ran out of eligibility and is helping with coaching and administrative things while Richards, who is still in grad school, orients himself.
“The girls have been fantastic. New demands have been asked of them, but they’re working hard,” Richards commended. “We’re a little low in numbers – another aspect that most varsity programs wouldn’t hope to be in – but we’re rebuilding.”
The Wildcats’ roster is similar in size to teams like Quinnipiac and Harvard, and its led by captain Leah Ingold. She’s supported by vice captains Sui A’au and Sammy Pinson. Incoming freshmen include A’au twins Tiana and Tiara, who were last seen with the Girls’ High School All-Americans, Powered by Atavus, over the summer. Hard-charging Danville forward Miyako Manoa will fit in just nicely, as will football crossover Haley Abeyta, a rugby newcomer, out of Colorado.
On the pitch, Richards has been focusing on simplifying systems and building fitness and core skills. Off the pitch, he’s attempting to foster a positive environment that embraces collaboration and dialogue, and also places the onus on players to take control of the team.
“Overall the consensus is that we’re in a state of flux. It’s not the most ideal start but at the same time, everyone’s attitudes are fantastic,” Richards said. “We’re still going to try and make a run at [the NIRA title] and do something the university has never done.”
Central Washington is playing a home-and-away series with Quinnipiac, and gets its third NIRA match against Army on Oct. 22. The Wildcats also continue their relationship with BYU and will host the Cougars on Oct. 28. This Saturday, Life University travels to Washington and brings with it wins against three senior women’s teams and Notre Dame College so far this fall. The game will be a first real look at Central Washington, which has played two Canadian universities thus far.
Richards confirmed that he has applied for the full-time head coaching position, but that upward of 20 applicants are vying for the spot. He’s contracted through the end of November and keeping certain things – like potential recruits requesting information – in a holding pattern until the permanent head coach is named.