With the rise in popularity of women’s rugby in the United States, it’s only fitting that the New York area would welcome a new team: the New York Exiles. A part of the new league, Women’s Elite Rugby, the Exiles promise to bring fun, fast, and intense rugby to the fans in New York and to continue to promote rugby as an elite sport that everyone should watch. Before the inaugural season opener on Saturday, March 22, OnNJ had the opportunity to sit down with a few players and one of the coaches from the New York Exiles.
The New York Exiles branding follows the remainder of the New York women’s teams, sporting teal as their primary color. The Exiles earned their name from the Mother of Exiles: the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty “celebrates the freedom of the oppressed, welcoming those who seek opportunity and to define a new community.” A sentiment repeated by members of the team, the Exiles promise “to embody the grit, determination, and resilience” of New York City.
Emily Brower, prop and hooker, explained that being part of the inaugural season is like living out “every athlete’s dream to eventually play at the top level they can.” Mads McCormick, assistant coach and manager, said that this season feels like the first season of the WNBA and NWSL, standing at what feels like ground zero and looking at what feels like a limitless future. They also emphasized that this league feels like their contribution to promoting inclusivity and acceptance throughout the world. Justina DeBruzzi, flanker, wing, and center for the Exiles, is proud of the progress of women’s rugby in the US. Moving from the WPL, which had a pay-to-play structure, to a new league where the players are compensated and can truly spend time honing their craft, “feels like a dream come true.”
Tess Feury, wing and fullback for the Exiles and member of Team USA, is really proud of the messaging of the Exiles: “bringing people from all over the world, different cultures, different backgrounds … to chase the same goal.” To go from playing internationally to playing stateside, Fuery noted that “it’s a really cool full circle moment” for her. Feury is also excited to have the opportunity for her friends and family to finally see her play in person.
Each player noted that rugby is akin to a collection of your favorite parts of every sport. McCormick wants new rugby fans to know that rugby is “full contact, just a mouth guard, and it’s the same rules regardless of gender,” which makes the sport unique. DeBruzzi thinks that fans of other sports who enjoy watching plays develop and who have an eye for the “art” that sports are, will enjoy women’s rugby. Brower also noted that “rugby has a special culture” and that she’s lucky to play with such great athletes and people. She hopes that the Exiles are “the most exciting watch in the league.”
The players are excited to see the New York fans show up and show out. Feury thinks that each fan will be able to relate to at least one player because of how diverse the team is and that the fast pace and excitement on the field will create a “really fun environment to be in.” Brower is excited to see the “really passionate fan base” that New York already has for women’s sports and how they’ll come to support the Exiles. DeBruzzi did emphasize that while fans should bring all the energy they have to The Stadium at Memorial Field, that everyone should be respectful of the athletes, coaches, and officials: they are all people and everyone is there to create a good time for the fans. McCormick thinks fans should bring “the same energy [they] would bring if [they] were watching [their] all time favorite team in the championship.” They also said that “even if you don’t understand the rules … you’ll be able to tell, just by watching, when something really cool and really exciting is happening,” which should make it fun for even the newest of rugby fans.
The New York Exiles open the inaugural season of the Women’s Elite Rugby team on Saturday, March 22 at 3 p.m. EST against the Boston Banshees. Fans can watch, for free, on DAZN: https://www.dazn.com/en-US/account/content/dazn/signup.
