After folding in 2002, the women’s rugby club remained nonexistent for seven years. Thankfully, two of the baddest ladies at UNC Charlotte put an end to this unfortunately abysmal era, when they started the team back up fall '08. April Simmons and Lisa Parris began practicing with the men’s team, and were quickly joined by Maddy Clark. The three women continued to recruit a few more exceptionally talented ladies to play. By the end of the year, the team was going strong with eight dedicated players and two fabulous coaches who also happen to be UNCC Women’s Rugby Club Alumni from the ’98-’01 team.
Thanks in large part to the hard work put in by Past-President April Simmons, the team snagged the Outstanding New Student Organization and the Best New Sports Club awards for the ’08-’09 academic year.
2009-2010 was the first year the team hosted a full side. It took a long time, but we became a developmental team and started winning games in the spring of 2010.
2010-2011 brought a strong team to their first year in the USA Rugby Matrix. Winning their league in the south, the team won the USA Rugby South Finalist Title in March 2011 and a trip to Nationals. After a sweet 16 forfeit by Washington State, UNCC advanced to the Elite 8 and lost to Stonehill University. Concluding the second season as a team in the top eight in the nation, made the new team nothing but proud.
In addition to working hard on the field, we work hard off the field. In the past we have worked at the local food pantry, tutored children in the after-school Firefly program , and the annual Relay for Life on Campus.
We welcome you to join us for practice or simply to support the team at games , philanthropy, and fundraising events!
PRESS
"UNC-Charlotte has split games with UNC-Chapel Hill this fall, and Santa Clara is another top DII program. The question is, can they translate that to 7s?" Rugby Magazine Women College 7s Finals-Our Pick (12/06/11)
"UNC Charlotte and Lee University have a healthy amount of games under their belts. UNCC just tacked on another couple of friendly wins as they ready for the matrix season" Rugby Magazine Womens DII Top 25 November 9, 2011 UNCC moved to #21. (11/9/11)
During the friendly season, UNC Charlotte moves to #23 in the rankings as other areas play their matrix Womens DII Top 25 October 21,2011 (10/21/11)
UNC Charlotte moves up to #14 in the national rankings DII Top 25 April 20, 2011
"UNCC is only two years old and made quite an impressive debut (in national tournament)" RugbyMag. Forfeits Mar DII Championship (4/19/11)
"The South #2 seed has never been to nationals, but has some good athletes in Meghan Bradsher and Courtney Jessamy.." RugbyMag. Women's D11 Preview (4/13/11)
PAST SCORES
Fall 2011
September 10, 2011 vs. UNC-CH WON 27-14
September 17, 2011 Alumni WeekendWON 15-5
October 1-2, 2011 RUCTOBERFEST
October 15, 2011 @ UNC Greensboro WON 42-17
October 22, 2011 vs. College of Charleston WON 31-6
November 5, 2011 @ UNC-CH Loss
December 3, 2011 @ UNCWilmington Loss
2010-2011
April 16-17, 2011 NATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Sweet 16 vs. Washington State- Forfeit by WSU
Elite 8 vs. Stonehill University LOSS 7-37
March 26-27, 2011 REGIONAL SOUTH PLAYOFFS
Vs. Kennesaw State WON 21-10
Vs, Lee University LOSS 7-17
WON USA RUGBY SOUTH FINALIST TITLE
Feb 26, 2011 vs, James Madison Univ. TIE 22-22
MATRIX Feb 19, 2011 @ Emory Forfeit, but played WON 42-5
MATRIX Feb 11, 2011 vs. College of Charleston WON 17-15
MATRIX Feb 5, 2011 @ Citadel Forfeit by Citadel
Nov 13, 2010 @ Elon WON 34-14
Nov 6, 2010 @ USC WON 22-5
Oct 23, 2010 @Wake Forest WON 27-0
Oct 16, 2010 @ UNC (b-side) WON 22-5
Oct 2, 1010 RUCKTOBERFEST - loss
Sept 8, 2010 Alumni Weekend
Sept 11, 2010 vs. UNCGreensboro WON 37-0
2009-2010
Apr 20, 2010 Superhero Tourney Finished 4th
Mar 27, 2010 vs. Duke WON 33-17
Feb 27, 2010 vs. Wake Forest TIE 10-10
Feb 20, 2010 Loss to ECU
For the in depth stories please see the News page