Life University Athletics

DENVER, Colo. ---- The Women's Premier League held their 2018 All-Star match on July 29, in Denver, Colorado with Darian Lovelace and Megan Rom represented on the East All-Star team, and Kaitlyn Broughton, who was invited to play, acted as event assistant manager. 
 
Both the East (Rosalind Chou) and West (Kittery Wagner) teams were coached by Life University coaching staff members. At the end of the match, the East won 33-24 in a back and forth match.The full roster and press release can be found here: WPL Action Gets Underway with All-Star Game.

"Having the opportunity for our student-athletes to play at the highest level of rugby in the country against the top players is very beneficial for both their individual development and what they bring back to our team," Chou stated. "It's a great compliment for them to be chosen for the All-Star Team, and it shows that they can compete at the highest level. It shows that their daily dedication to working hard in training and developing their skills is being recognized by the WPL."

The Women's Premier League (WPL) features the nation's top women's rugby talent and is the highest level of senior club 15s competition in the U.S. The WPL consists of ten teams from coast to coast that are split into two five-team conferences. An eight-game regular season is followed by tournament play for the USA Rugby WPL National Championship title each fall. WPL players make up a bulk of the U.S. national women's team, the USA Rugby Eagles.
 
Life University student-athletes have the unique opportunity to play matches in the WPL because of the Elite College Guest Player Waiver. This allows Life U athletes to play three regular season matches with and against the top rugby players in the country. The close relationship between Life University Rugby and the Atlanta Harlequins has mutually benefited both teams. 
 
New Women's National Team Head Coach, Rob Cain, was in attendance at the game and scouting to increase the player pool. He fully supports the WPL and would like players serious about the player pathway to compete in this league. The right set of circumstances are then set for Life U and the Atlanta Harlequins to work together. It provides top collegiate players more competition and this growing relationship provides a player pipeline for the WPL team to create more depth, making the team a destination for college players after graduation. 
 
"To have Life University student-athletes getting opportunities to compete alongside the best women's rugby players in the country is truly amazing," Director of Athletics Jayme Pendergast stated. "Life University has positioned itself as one of the top rugby programs in the country and having so many representatives at the WPL All-Star Match is a testament to this. I'm incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches representing us."

The main picture for the article includes (L-R) Coach Chou, Darian Lovelace '18, Megan Rom '19, Atlanta Harlequin Mo Compito, and Kaitlyn Broughton '18.

 

Pictured above (L-R) - Rob Cain (Women's National Team Head Coach), Kaitlyn Broughton (asst. manager), Kittery Wagner (asst coach Life U), Rosalind Chou (Head Coach Life U), and Tiffany Fa'aee (manager, 2017 World Cup USA Captain).