Women's Rugby Club Announcement - Landscape

CRAA Life University Expands with Dual-Pathway Model, Joins USA Rugby WD1 League in 2026

08.05.25

By: Life U Athletics in Conjunction with USA Rugby

MARIETTA, GA – In a groundbreaking move that will reshape the landscape of women’s rugby in the United States, Life University Women’s Rugby has officially been accepted into the USA Rugby Women’s Division 1 (WD1) Club Competition via the Texas Rugby Union (TRU) and in collaboration with the Carolina Rugby Union (CRU). This moment marks a new era for elite women’s rugby, one that gives Life U athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of both college and club rugby while training in a full-time, performance-driven environment.

“We’re thrilled to confirm our entry into the Women’s Division 1 Club competition through the Texas Rugby Union for the 2025–26 season,” said Ryszard Chadwick, Head Coach of Life University Women’s Rugby. “This opportunity allows us to expand our competitive calendar while continuing to develop a world-class daily training environment for all our athletes. What excites us most is the dual-pathway opportunity, remaining a proud competitor in CRAA D1 College Rugby while stepping into the D1 Club landscape. This blended schedule supports the growth of every player in our program, from our high-potential underclassmen to our senior student-athletes pushing for national honors. Life U has always been about more than just winning games, it’s about building a legacy of high performance, opportunity, and leadership. We’re not just building a team; we’re building a system that serves the athlete from recruitment to retirement. That’s what sets Life apart.”

Ryszard Chadwick, Head Coach of Life University Women’s Rugby

"This dual-pathway model is unprecedented: Life U will continue to compete in CRAA’s D1 College Division, while simultaneously entering the USA Rugby Women’s Club D1 league — the premier platform for senior-level women’s rugby in the country. The partnership between USA Rugby, the Texas Rugby Union, and the Carolina Rugby Union underscores a shared commitment to growth, excellence, and access for the next generation of American women’s rugby talent. “Our athletes deserve this opportunity, and a massive thank you goes out to all involved in this decision,” said Jayme Pendergast, Athletic Director at Life University. “At Life U, we pride ourselves on creating a high-performance environment for our student-athletes. This dual pathway not only adds more elite-level fixtures, but also ensures every athlete — from freshmen to graduates — has a platform to grow and a path to a national championship. We’re grateful to the Texas Rugby Union for recognizing the importance of strengthening the WD1 landscape and look forward to being part of something truly impactful.”

Jayme Pendergast, Athletic Director at Life University

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Life University Women into the WD1 League,” said David McPhail, USA Rugby 15s Competition Chair. “Their inclusion reflects the expanding depth of women’s rugby in this country and further strengthens the competitive nature of the WD1 league. Life University has long been a cornerstone of collegiate rugby, and their presence will elevate the league as we continue to grow the game across the Gulf Coast and beyond.”

David McPhail, USA Rugby 15s Competition Chair

“Life University’s Women’s Rugby program continues to set the standard in collegiate rugby through its success in CRAA competition and its unwavering commitment to high-performance development,” said Paul Santinelli, Executive Director of the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA). “As their student-athletes advance beyond the collegiate competition, the pathway for elite women’s club competition becomes essential. We strongly support the growth of USA Club Rugby’s Women’s D1 competition to ensure that Life University’s Club side—and women’s club teams across the country—have the competitive environment they need to thrive and elevate the women’s game nationwide.”

Paul Santinelli, Executive Director of the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA)

This move also signals a broader vision for the future of women’s rugby in the U.S. With ongoing support from the TRU and CRU, plans are already in motion to expand the WD1 footprint, create more regionalized travel solutions, and build a sustainable high-performance league structure for emerging and established players alike.

Life University will run both its CRAA D1 College and WD1 Club teams simultaneously, providing expanded competitive opportunities for student-athletes across the calendar year. This structure ensures athletes at all stages of their development can train and compete in a high-performance environment aligned with their goals.

Prospective athletes interested in joining Life U to compete in the WD1 Club side for the 2025–2026 season — or exploring College & Club opportunities for the 2026 academic year — are encouraged to contact Head Coach Ryszard Chadwick directly at ryszard.chadwick@life.edu. The future is wide open — and Life U is building it now.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Performance-Centered Development: Life U’s daily training environment is built around elite-level standards — with integrated strength & conditioning, medical, tactical, and academic support that nurtures every athlete’s growth.
Clear and Extended Pathways: By combining collegiate and club competition, Life U provides athletes with more meaningful fixtures, increased exposure, and a seamless transition from student-athlete to national-level contender.
Opportunity for All: This model ensures all players — not just top starters — gain access to quality minutes, coaching, and meaningful competition that supports long-term development.
Game Growth: This step sets a national precedent for how college programs can evolve to support high-performance goals and build lasting impact across the women’s rugby landscape.