Inside York College Women’s Rugby: How This Team Is Redefining Strength and Community
Hi, I’m Bri Clary, a senior Sport Media major here at York. I started this blog series to showcase how being a part of the YCP community goes beyond the classroom. Getting involved, meeting new people, and having new experiences are all key to making the most of your college journey—and joining a club or organization is a great way to do that. Each story will feature a different campus group, to highlight the sense of pride and connection that makes York such a special place.
Here at York, the Women’s Club Rugby team is more than just a group of athletes running and tackling on a field, it’s a community built on inclusiveness, friendship, and determination.
This team—the 2025 Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) 7s Champions, and current 12th nationally ranked club rugby team in Division III —has not always gotten the recognition they deserve, but what this team has built from the ground up is really something special. Whether you’ve never played any kind of sport in your life, or are a veteran player, this program welcomes you, challenges you, and pushes you to grow in ways that go beyond the sport itself.
Senior Captain Bailey Post-Raeburn shares a laugh as she recalls how her rugby journey began. “I called my mom, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna play rugby.’ She’s like, ‘Bailey, you have no idea what rugby is.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but who cares?’” That bold attitude perfectly sums up what York’s Women’s Club Rugby is all about: diving in, learning as you go, and gaining confidence along the way.
My Experience With Rugby
Before starting this project, I didn’t know much about the sport of Rugby beyond the basics. With the recent spike in global growth of the sport, and surge of female playing numbers since 2023, I felt it was only fitting to focus on York’s team and show how these global numbers are making a difference right here on our campus and in our community.
Getting to watch this game from the sidelines and learning through the players’ stories has given me a whole new appreciation for the passion of the sport. These women clearly empower each other to be the strongest and best versions of themselves.
Joining the Team
I was surprised to learn that many of the players had little to no experience with rugby before joining the team. Most of them first heard of the program through York’s Involvement Fair, where they were drawn in by the coach’s enthusiasm and the contagious energy of the other players running the table. They took what you could call the “leap of faith” into the program.
As Recruitment Chair of the team, Cheyenne Reid, put it, “If you’re on the fence, just go to a practice and check it out.”
Taking that leap of faith is what continues to bring so many new faces to the sport each year. It keeps the team growing and evolving, creating a perfect mix of rookies and veterans who continue to learn from one another.
Sophomore Haylie Zaleskiwicz shares how she didn’t know what to expect when first joining the team, but was able to quickly integrate into the community and find her people. “Joining the team definitely made me more of an outgoing person,” she said. “Getting to laugh and be each other’s best friends on and off the field... it’s just really great.”
The team stresses the idea that every experienced player was once a rookie, and mistakes are encouraged as part of the learning process.
Vice President Heather Saden explains how being a part of this team allows you to take on new experiences as a leader, and develops your personal growth. “Almost everybody has a role once they’re not a rookie anymore. The second that you become a vet, you’re guiding the rookies through it.”
Community and Connection
What makes York’s women’s rugby team so unique is its blend of personalities that come together as one. There is a balance between the nature of competitiveness and sense of genuine friendships that sets the tone for everything the team takes on.
That energy isn’t just limited to the field, It carries over into everyday life, showing up in how players support each other academically, take on leadership roles, or just handle whatever life throws at them.
When players talk about the team dynamic, the recurring theme has been the sense of community. Zaleskiwicz describes the team as, “Fifteen built-in best friends. So like, if you see one of us, you will probably see five other ones.”
That sense of balance and support carries over to every practice and match, where laughter and hard work go hand in hand.
“We work a lot one-on-one,” Post-Raeburn reflects. “We’ll say, ‘Hey, do you need help? We’re here to help,’ or ‘Hey, want to go tackle real quick?’”
This bond both on and off the field truly defines what it means to be a part of this team. Win or lose, what matters the most is that they do it together, as teammates, and more importantly as friends.
Breaking Misconceptions
Historically, Women’s sports have faced an unfair comparison to men’s. Through my own research, I’ve learned how female athleticism and toughness is often downplayed in sports media coverage. But Rugby is a sport that challenges those assumptions head on—because the rules for men and women are exactly the same.
So, how is men’s and women’s rugby different?
Post-Raeburn explains, “People think women’s rugby isn’t as intense or aggressive, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We play the same game, with the same drive and passion.”
Zaleskiwicz adds, “A lot of people are like, ‘Well, women can’t be aggressive. Women can’t do this or that.’ But that’s literally what rugby is for—to be aggressive, to show you are powerful.”
York women’s rugby players proudly embrace their strength to combat these stereotypes placed around them and around women in sports in general.
Support From the Men’s Rugby Team
Despite the differences that separate gender and can sometimes pit teams against each other, York has a shared culture of genuine support between the men’s and women’s rugby teams. Both sides want to see each other succeed and work together to make that happen.
“We’ll practice together sometimes. We’ll help them, then they’ll help us run drills,” says Zaleskiwicz. “They’re literally like our biggest fans.” This mutual exchange—both teams using each other’s perspectives—helps them grow stronger.
Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines, offering encouragement or support, or just showing up to lend a helping hand, the men’s team plays an important role in keeping spirits high within the women’s program—and vice versa.
Traditions, Legacy, and What’s Next
Traditions run deep within the women’s rugby program. From fun shirt and fun sock Fridays, to rookie-veteran mentoring, post-match chants, and an annual alumni game, these rituals help create a fun environment and connect current players to those who came before them.
Post-Raeburn shared that one of the team alumni says she is so proud of how her original idea for the club has continued to grow. “It really makes her happy and proud to see that her dream that started out is now more solidified and has become a reality.”
Keeping the spirit of York Rugby alive, reminds every player that they are a part of something bigger, and a legacy that is worth carrying forward.
As York Women’s Rugby continues their 15s season—the full-sided version of the sport that runs through the fall with 15 players per side—the team has their sights set on another goal: winning the NCR Championship, kicking off November 1st and 2nd.
For players, it’s about more than just the game—it’s about the culture they create, the confidence they build, and the lasting impression they leave behind for future aspiring rugby players.
Being around the team has helped me understand that while rugby is such an intense sport focused on competition, it is also driven by genuine support and respect for one another. Through this experience I’ve noticed just how important it is for a team to create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and connected. It’s clear that this culture is what keeps players motivated to succeed, and York Women’s Rugby thriving. Looking ahead, I hope to see the program continue to grow, and welcome even more students into the sport—carrying forward the same energy, pride, and passion that defines this remarkable team of athletes.
If you’ve ever thought about joining or even just watching the club rugby team, don’t hesitate to just check it out! College is your time to put yourself out there, challenge yourself, and be a part of something new.
