PARIS, FRA – It was a watershed moment for rugby in the United States, as the USA Women’s Sevens team defeat Australia in the bronze medal final, earning the first-ever American medal in rugby sevens. Exactly 100 years after the USA won its last Olympic medal in rugby, the Eagles commemorated the occasion with what may be the most impactful night in American rugby history, so far. [All photos: Alex Ho @hoiho_photo]

“It’s really huge,” USA Women’s Sevens head coach Emilie Bydwell said on the bronze medal win. “I don’t even know if it has fully soaked in beating the best team in the world for a medal. To do it in such an excited fashion, with such belief, that has to be one of the best moments of the Olympics.”

 

“I think for us the most important thing was belief,” captain Naya Tapper followed. “We knew Australia is a hard team to beat, so going into that game believing that we can actually beat them and win a medal was the only outcome, and that’s what happened for us.”

Match one was the gold medal semifinal, going up against reigning Olympic champions New Zealand. Alev Kelter was able to start the scoring with a powerful try, but the Black Ferns answered with a series of scores to control the game throughout. By final whistle, it was 24-12 to New Zealand, bouncing the USA from gold medal contention. A tall task from the start, the Eagles still showed some fire in the tough fixture, refocusing into the bronze medal final.

 

Following a semifinal upset by Canada, World Rugby SVNS Series Champions Australia were fixed to face the USA in the bronze match, a team that has held the Eagles’ number all season. Rising star Maddie Levi on pace to break try records in a single Olympics was the one to contain.

Kelter would again put points on the board to level with Teegan Levi’s try, however Maddie Levi did break free and pick up the lead. Crucially, Australia’s second score was dotted down in the corner, the tough conversion fell short, 12-7.

 

Time was ticking away and Australia kept the USA pinned in its own 22. The Americans held possession, but as the clock dwindled to fewer than 30 seconds, the sidelines began to show some nervous energy.

And then: Spiff Sedrick. The Utah native and Life University alumna crashed into the line, drawing two defenders, who disrupted each other in the contact. Suddenly Sedrick was on the back side of both them with no one in sight between her and the try line 80 meters away. Sedrick had the gas to finish the breakaway, while the balance of emotion totally switched between the two teams. There was no time on the clock when Sedrick lined up the centered conversion and calmly slotted the winning points for the bronze medal.

 

“We knew they were going to kick deep, being ahead in points,” Sedrick said of Australia’s strategy from the restart. “So we just trusted our framework and power zone, we just had to go for it.”

“We’re really trying to raise up rugby in the US, especially in the women’s game, so hopefully this will inspire someone to pick up a rugby ball,” she added.

“It was a big burst of energy, an amazing finish,” USA co-captain Lauren Doyle added. “I don’t even think I can comprehend what it will mean for rugby in the US. I hope it propels the sport forward. It’s been our goal since forever to get on the podium, so I’m excited to see what that change looks like.”

 

Doyle wouldn’t have to wait long, as only minutes after the final match, it was announced that trailblazing businesswoman and investor Michele Kang would donate $4 million to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Sevens team as the program looks ahead to LA2028, the upcoming Olympic games on home soil.

“2024 has been a banner year for women’s sports with record-breaking attendance and viewership, and women’s rugby is no exception,” said Michele Kang, Founder of Kynisca Sports International. “This Eagles team, led by players like Ilona Maher and co-captains Lauren Doyle and Naya Tapper, has captivated millions of new fans, bringing unprecedented attention to the sport. I am so happy to support these outstanding athletes to realize their dream in capturing the gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That work starts now. As corporate sponsors and broadcast networks increasingly see the value and enthusiasm for women’s sports, now is the moment to unlock the full potential of these incredible female athletes and inspire generations to come.”

 

 

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“We are stunned and beyond grateful for this transformative gift from Michele to advance USA Women’s Rugby,” said Bill Goren, Chief Executive Officer at USA Rugby. “This will allow us to supercharge the progression of this program as we build to climb the podium in 2028 with Gold Medal aspirations in Los Angeles. This increase in support will ensure we can deploy the resources to the right places to win when it matters the most, inspiring a nation of rugby players and solidifying our place on the world stage.”

The USA Women’s Sevens will now head into a well-deserved break from residency, reassembling in September for the start of 2024-25 SVNS Series training camp.

USA WOMEN 7s OLYMPICS SQUAD

STAFF

Director, High Performance | Tamara Sheppard
Head Coach | Emilie Bydwell
Assistant Coach | Zack Test
Strength & Conditioning | Trey Ford
Team Manager | Liz Strohecker
Physiotherapist | Nicole Titmas
Team Doctor | Alex Myers
Sports Psychologist | Peter Haberl
Press Officer | Taylor Dean

RESULTS

Sunday, July 28
Pool Play Rd 1
USA 36-7 Japan

Pool Play Rd 2
USA 24-5 Brazil

Monday, July 29
Pool Play Rd 3
France 31-14 USA

Quarterfinal
USA 17-7 Great Britain

Tuesday, July 30
Semifinal
New Zealand 24-14 USA

Bronze Medal
USA 14-12 Australia