A watershed moment for rugby in the United States, as the USA Women’s Sevens defeat Australia in the bronze medal final, earning the first ever American medal in rugby sevens.
Exactly 100 years after the last medal in rugby, won be the USA Men in the fifteens version also in Paris, the USA Women’s Sevens commemorate the occasion with what may be the most impactful night in American rugby history, so far.
Head Coach Emilie Bydwell said on the bronze medal win. “It’s really huge, I don’t even know if it has fully soaked in beating the best team in the world for a medal. To do it in such an excited fashion, with such belief, that has to be one of the best moments of the Olympics.”
Captain Naya Tapper followed, “I think for us the most important thing was belief. We knew Australia is a hard team to beat, so going into that game believing that we can actually beat them and win a medal was the only outcome, and that’s what happened for us.”
Match one was the gold medal semifinal, going up against reigning Olympic champions New Zealand. Alev Kelter was able to start the scoring with a powerful try, but the Black Ferns answered with a series of scores to control the game throughout. By final whistle, it was 24-12 to New Zealand, bouncing the USA from gold medal contention. A tall task from the start, the Eagles still showed some fire in the tough fixture, refocusing into the bronze medal final.
Following a semifinal upset by Canada, World Rugby SVNS Series Champions Australia were fixed to face the USA in the bronze match, a team that has held the Eagles number all season. Rising star Maddie Levi on pace to break try records in a single Olympics was the one to contain.
Kelter would again put points on the board to level with Teegan Levi’s try, however Maddie did break free and pick up the lead, though importantly on the far touch line. Just out of conversion reach and giving a small 12-7 lead to Australia.
The play of the year then came in fast as Spiff Sedrick found space up the middle and ran away for an 80-meter try and equalizer as time expired. The anxiety kept up though, as the conversion needed to be kicked for the win, with the kick clock expiring. Sedrick then kicked her own conversion against the expiring time, giving the USA the win and first ever rugby sevens medal.
Sedrick said on the winning try, “We knew they were going to kick deep, being ahead in points, so we just trusted our framework and power zone, we just had to go for it.”
When asked what the moment will mean for rugby, Sedrick answered, “We’re really trying to raise up rugby in the US, especially in the women’s game, so hopefully this will inspire someone to pick up a rugby ball.”
Co-Captain Lauren Doyle said on the final play, “It was a big burst of energy, an amazing finish. [Spiff] then had to turn around and make the kick, as someone who doesn’t usually make kicks with only four seconds left, it was amazing.”
Doyle continued, “I don’t even think I can comprehend what it will mean for rugby in the US. I hope it propels the sport forward, it’s been our goal since forever to get on the podium, so I’m excited to see what that change looks like.”
Doyle wouldn’t have to wait long, as only minutes after the final match, it was announced that trailblazing businesswoman and investor, Michele Kang, would donate $4 million to the US Women’s Rugby Sevens team as they program looks ahead to LA2028, the upcoming Olympic games on home soil.
“2024 has been a banner year for women’s sports with record-breaking attendance and viewership, and women’s rugby is no exception,” said Michele Kang, Founder of Kynisca Sports International. “This Eagles team, led by players like Ilona Maher and co-captains Lauren Doyle and Naya Tapper, has captivated millions of new fans, bringing unprecedented attention to the sport. I am so happy to support these outstanding athletes to realize their dream in capturing the gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That work starts now. As corporate sponsors and broadcast networks increasingly see the value and enthusiasm for women’s sports, now is the moment to unlock the full potential of these incredible female athletes and inspire generations to come.”
“We are stunned and beyond grateful for this transformative gift from Michele to advance USA Women’s Rugby,” said Bill Goren, Chief Executive Officer at USA Rugby. “This will allow us to supercharge the progression of this program as we build to climb the podium in 2028 with Gold Medal aspirations in Los Angeles. This increase in support will ensure we can deploy the resources to the right places to win when it matters the most, inspiring a nation of rugby players and solidifying our place on the world stage.”
The USA Women’s Sevens will now head into a well-deserved break from residency, reassembling in September for the start of 2024-25 SVNS Series training camp.
