University of Cincinnati
Women's Rugby FC
est. 2011
UC Lady Ruggers
The UC Women's Rugby Football Club gathered in Spring 2011 and was recognized as a UC club in the Fall of 2012.
The first Head Coach, Nick Geary, had a coaching philosophy rooted in "maximizing the potential of every athlete; increasing their skill level and the team’s success while maintaining a fun, safe and close knit team environment. Rugby provides all the fitness and self-confidence that is associated with most team sports; the correct guidance also provides key life lessons."
In the Fall 2013 Season, the UC Lady Ruggers gained multiple new players and came out of the season with a very good season record.
​
In the Fall of 2014, UC joined the Ohio Valley DII Conference. That same season, UC became ranked second in the conference and headed to Nationals for the first time. At Nationals, they progressed to the Top 16 teams.
In the Fall of 2015, after an amazing season, UC became the Ohio Valley DII Conference Champions and went on to advance in the Top 8 Teams in Nationals.
In the Fall of 2016, UC returned to reclaim our OV DII Conference Champion status after a record high turnout of new players and went on to advance in round 16 of the National Tournament.
​
In the Fall of 2017, UCWRFC claimed the Conference Champion Title for the 3rd year in a row and boasted the best group of players the team has seen yet. The team advanced to the Final 4 of the National Tournament for the first time ever and took home the title as 5th in the nation for DII.
​
In the Fall of 2018, UC Women's Rugby returned as Conference Champions for the 4th consecutive year. The team then progressed to Final Four once again and returned to Cincinnati with the DII title of 4th in the nation.
​
In the Fall of 2019, UCWRFC continued to prevail as Conference Champions despite many forfeited games and less plating time. The team progressed to the Round of 16 and Round of 8. A loss to Colorado School of Mines in Round of 8 stopped the journey to the DII Final Four.
About the Coaches:
Head Coach: Craig Russell
​
Played for Walsall RFC at age 7
Selected to join the Leicester Tigers RFC Youth Academy
Joined the British Army Junior Leaders
Continued career as back for British Army RFC
Played for Burton-on-Trent RFC for 6 years
Later played for Essington RFC
Level 200 Certified Coach
IRB Level 2 Coach
​
After meeting his wife at Oktoberfest in Munich, Craig made the move across the pond and now lives in Terrace park (Cincinnati) with wife Kimberly and two children. Craig owns a remodeling business know as The English Contractor & Remodeling Services.
Due to having back surgery, Coach Craig was advised to stop playing rugby, and that's when he made the move to coaching to give back to the sport.
​
"One of my most memorable moments is when I scored at Welford Road, home of the Leicester Tigers. My favorite playing position is outside center."
​
Head Forwards Coach:
Kayla Closson
Played at Bowling Green State University (3 Years)
Position: Flanker
Assistant Coach for UC (Spring 2015 - Present Day)
Coach Liaison on Executive Board
Level 200 Certified Coach
- Strength in identifying sport-related concussions
- Creates and maintains safe environment for players
Her favorite thing about coaching our team is connecting with all of the players and watching them grow through the years. She considers the team “her girls” and takes a general interest in helping us get through college (academically, emotionally, etc). Rugby to her is a family and encourages anyone, whether you are athletic or not, to join! For her real life job, she is an event/wedding planner and will sometimes bring her dog, Lila (whom she is obsessed with) to practice or games in a backpack.
Head Backs Coach:
Steve Visagie
Played Men's Club Rugby in Canada, British Virgin Islands and USA
2010 Present: Head Coach: Moeller High School
(4 State Championships)
​