SAN DIEGO, Calif. –
Female rugby athletes from all five service branches competed in the Armed Forces Women's Rugby Championship here at Nobel Field July 12-13 but the competition was more than about silver and gold, it was about camaraderie, friendship and being stronger in their respective careers.
Marine Cpl. Anastasia “Sia” Schraff, aviation ordnance technician, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, is a winger. She said participating in sports like rugby makes her a better Marine.
“In the Marines, we’re one Marine, one shop, one unit, one flightline, we’re all one,” she said. “It’s the same on the rugby field. We all have different positions and different jobs, but we’re all working as one team, working for the same goal. It’s important that we understand how each other works on the field, similar to how it’s important to understand how we work together, like in a shop, in the unit or on the line for mission success.”
Marine Capt. Janet “Janay” Lee, intelligence officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is a scrum half. She said rugby is a microcosm of the Marine Corps.
“You have to be physical, aggressive and intense on the pitch,” she said. “It requires a lot of communication, understanding your team, and how you work together. It develops leadership skills, and those are traits and qualities you need and want in the Marine Corps.”
Army 1st Lt. Rachel Henley, chemical officer and team captain, said preparing for rugby both physically and mentally early morning and late nights translates to being a better platoon leader for her Soldiers.
“I’ve learned how to be a better teammate and a better leader,” she said.
Air Force Capt. Katie Mueller, a public affairs Air Force Institute of Technology student at George Mason University, Virginia, is also a team captain.
She said team sports helps with problem solving skills, an ability to adapt, leadership skills and networking among different ranks, guard, reserve and active-duty service members.
“We’re got different career fields coming together, all learning from each other out on the pitch,” she said. “We’re a rowdy group. These connections are huge. At the international competition in Amsterdam, it was awesome to play and meet with teams from Ireland, France and the Netherlands.”
The U.S. Armed Forces Team competed at the 2024 International Military Sports Council (CISM) World Rugby Challenge in Amsterdam, Netherlands from 1-7 June.
She said there aren’t a lot of women rugby players, especially in the military, and they form tight bonds.
“As much as the rivalries are out on the pitch, we love seeing the program grow and the bonds we’ve made. They’re priceless,” she said.
Navy Ensign Megan Neyen, surface warfare officer, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, team captain, said participating in sports makes stronger sailors.
“Athletes have that hardworking grit, that perseverance,” she said. “They work through struggle, and you can see that in the workforce.”
Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Ariyanna “Ari” Jurkowski, Coast Guard Base Alameda, California, team captain and center, said organized sports makes a big difference in how people work with others.
“There’s a teamwork mindset,” she said. “And in sports, especially rugby, there’s always going to be mistakes. We overcome and adapt and learn from that and keep moving.”
Jurkowski just came from a Coast Guard Cutter.
“The amount of times we redid the plan, reorganized, regrouped, kept moving, day in and day out, we were always doing that,” she said. “Being able to adapt, be flexible, it goes into service and leadership, as well and how we’re able to communicate with each other, get back on the same page and move forward.”
Find out more about our Service members by visiting https://armedforcessports.defense.gov.