The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) has today announced the USA Women’s National Team XVs as recipients of a $10,000 grant to train for Rugby World Cup 2021. The monies are part of the 2020 Travel & Training Fund, which awarded $75,000 to 15 individual athletes and two sports teams in preparation for the upcoming summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Following yesterday’s launch of the ALLIN campaign, the grant makes an immediate impact on the total $600,000 target that will put the program in the best position possible to win a medal next year in New Zealand. Additionally, Nia Toliver, who was recently named a USWRF 15 Under 30 award winner, was chosen for an individual grant recipient.
USA Rugby Director of Women’s High Performance Emilie Bydwell said:
“We are incredibly grateful and proud to be among the recipients of this grant. The Women’s Sports Foundation has a long-time history of supporting women in sport and their involvement in our campaign is indicative of the growing excitement for women’s rugby as a whole. This early momentum for ‘All In’ illustrates the passion and commitment our wider sports community has to help the United States reach the podium next year in New Zealand.”
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Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Deborah Antoine said:
“The Women’s Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. The financial burdens of competing at an elite level, ideally, should not be a limiting barrier to an athlete or team achieving their best. We believe in the power of women athletes to show the world what they can do, and to show young girls what they too can become.”
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Fueled by WSF partner Gatorade, who is also a proud partner of USA Rugby, the Fund is designed to support women athletes with elite potential who have a financial need and would otherwise be unable to afford basic necessities such as coaching, travel and equipment – vital to achieving even higher performance levels and rankings.
2020 Travel & Training Grant Recipients
2021 Olympic and Paralympic GamesGwendolyn Berry, The Woodlands, TX – Track & FieldAmy Dixon, Encinitas, CA – ParatriathlonAlanna Flax-Clark, Granada Hills, CA – Para-EquestrianJosephine Fouts, San Diego, CA – Para-CyclingSophia Herzog, Poncha Springs, CO – Para SwimmingMaggie Malone, Birmingham, AL – Track & FieldNia Toliver, Los Angeles, CA – RugbyMallory Velte, Sacramento, CA – WrestlingRoble Shea Sailing (team), Marco Island, FL – Sailing
2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter GamesDanielle Aravich, Eagle, ID – ParabiathlonHailey Choi, Clifton, VA – Speed SkatingKelly Curtis, Miami, FL – SkeletonHannah Halvorsen, Anchorage, AK – Cross Country SkiingAlysa Liu, Oakland, CA – Figure SkatingAudrey Lu, Frisco, TX – Figure SkatingJoy Rondeau, Granby, CO – Parabiathlon
Training for 2021 Rugby World CupUSA Rugby Women’s National Team XVs, Lafayette, CO – Rugby
For more information about the Women’s Sports Foundation, click here. To give a gift to the Women’s Eagles, click here. For more information about the ALLIN campaign, visit allin.usa.rugby.