Our legacy
The Eagles who came before us.
In 1991, the USA Women won the inaugural XVs Rugby World Cup. From the beginning, the team was burdened by a lack of resources and funding and players paid for their travel costs out of pocket. The team did everything they could to make the journey to Cardiff, Wales possible, from surviving on a small team stipend from the Women’s Sports Foundation, hosting fundraisers, and making and selling t-shirts to cover expenses. On April 14, 1991, the Eagles overcame all obstacles defeated England (19-6) in the first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Cardiff Arms Park.
Over the next two World Cups ('94 and '98), the Eagles missed out raising the cup and finished second in the world.
Most recently, the Eagles have seen progressive success in the last two World Cup cycles placing 6th in 2014 and 4th in 2017.
Women's XVs Hall of Fame:
- Jen Crawford, Captain of the 1998 Rugby World Cup team
- Alex Williams, 3x Rugby World Cup team member ( '94, '98, '02)
- Candi Orsini, 3x Rugby World Cup team member ('91, '94, '98)
- 1991 Rugby World Cup Championship team
- Kathy Flores, Captain of the 1991 Rugby World Cup Championship team
- Patty Jervey, 5x Rugby World Cup team member ('91, '94, '98, '02, '06)
- Anne Berry, Minnesota Selects, USA Rugby President & Treasurer
Where we are now.
During the 2021 World Cup cycle, the Eagles have increased the number of matches and interactions per year, while overcoming continual budget setbacks. In just the last two years, the team has:
- Finished the 2021 (Played in 2022) Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, placing 7th Place.
- Traveled to Spain in the first match since Rugby World Cup, beating Spain 20-14.
- Completed the first match in the Pacific 4 Series Tournament.
- Kicked off a Top 40 Camp in Preparation for the Pacific 4 Series Tournament and WXV Series in October.
Looking at the current and future budget, the players will be responsible for: travel to/from camps and potential tours, housing during camps and potential tours, a camp fee, loss of wages, and other unexpected expenses. Around the world, Women’s Rugby is professionalizing while the USA team remains largely pay - to - play despite the increasing competition and interest nationwide.
Where are we headed.
WXV Series: How does it work?
World Rugby has launched a new three-tier annual global women’s international 15s competition within a restructuring of the test calendar. Launching in October 2023, WXV will revolutionise the women’s international rugby landscape, providing for the first time a meaningful pathway for all unions and a competitive springboard towards an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup in 2025.
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WXV 1
WXV 1 will consist of six teams and be played in a cross-pool format, as a standalone tournament in one location, which will be determined on a year-by-year basis. Participating teams will include the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (Europe) and the top three teams of the cross-regional tournament featuring USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia (Oceania/Rugby Americas North (RAN)) There will be no promotion or relegation in the first cycle of WXV 1.
WXV 2
The WXV 2 competition will consist of six teams, played in a cross-pool format, as a standalone tournament in one location, which will be determined on a year-by-year basis.
Participating teams for 2023 will include two teams from Europe, the fourth-placed team from the cross-regional tournament featuring USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia (Oceania/RAN) alongside one team from Oceania, Asia and Africa The sixth-placed regional position in the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season will be relegated to WVX 3.
WXV 3
WXV 3 will also be played as a cross-pool format, made up of six teams: two from Europe, one from Asia, one from Oceania, one from Africa and one from South America. The Group winner head up to group 2. The fate of the bottom team will be decided by a play-off with the next best side, according to the World Rugby Women’s Rankings.
What’s more is WXV will provide a pathway to Rugby World Cup 2025 with at least the five top ranked non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 2024 qualifying for the tournament.
How will we get there.
Our success as a foundation is tied to our ability to create direct, sustainable revenue. To remain competitive, we must raise $150,000 in 2023 for the Women’s XVs program (through donations, grants, sponsorships, and partnerships).
Your donation would help cover:
- Player travel
- Operating costs
- Housing and meals
- Event Expenses
- Stipends to supplement lost wages
These funds will allow us to not only compete but to be successful at the highest level possible. Join us in helping the Women’s XVs Program move one step closer to equity, sustainability, and empowerment.
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