1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Abby Douglas
Age: 25
From: Woodbridge, VA
Job that pays the bills: Floral Manager
Rugby Life:
West End Youth Rugby (2007-2017); player, State Championship MVP (2014)
Queens University of Charlotte (2017-2021); player, Backs Captain (2020-21)
Southeast Rugby Referee Society (2021-2022); Official
Potomac Society of Rugby Football Referees (2022-current); Official
Chesapeake Girls Rugby Conference; Commissioner (2023-current)
West End Girls Rugby; U18 Assistant Coach (2023-current).
Why we love Abby:
Commits to giving back to the game of rugby, focusing on grass-root rugby and local tournaments.
Organized many successful tournaments and facilitated the growth of girls rugby in the DC, MD, and VA area by adding 5 new teams to the conference in the last year, listed below:
Apaches MS Program
King George MS Program
Georgetown Visitation Prep HS
Strikers HS & MS Program
Roosters MS Program
"I believe rugby is so important in life. For me, it has been an immensely meaningful experience to grow up in rugby and to learn from it. So much of what I do surrounds and pours into the concept of giving my meaningful experiences in rugby to others. I am incredibly grateful to be continually supported by good people who, through their love and dedication to the beauty and positive impact of rugby, have pushed me and reminded me of that importance. People like Sarah Emory, USAF Veteran, West End Girls Rugby Head Coach (2016-2024); Kat Aversano, Vice President for Women’s Elite Rugby, Founding Commissioner for Chesapeake Girls Rugby Conference, and Co-Director of the U.S. Women’s Rugby History Project, to name a few; and my Mom, who passed in 2021, and was the one who registered all six of my brothers for rugby and saw no difference to offer it to me. She was my constant supporter, uplifter, and OG Mentor. Thank you to USWRF for the opportunity to be acknowledged in this award. I am so thankful."
More about Abby:
All photos provided by the award recipient