US women’s rugby had a remarkable Olympics. What’s next for the sport in the States?

American women’s rugby has its first Olympic medal (bronze) after shoving Australia off the podium in Paris. It has more buzz than ever on social media thanks to a personable star (Ilona Maher) who stands up for strong women everywhere . The 2028 Summer Games are in Los Angeles.

The Rugby World Cup is coming to the US, too, for men in 2031 and women in 2033. Those yearning for an American rugby renaissance are encouraged, but they have been disappointed before. “The time is now.

The iron’s hot,” said Amy Rusert, commissioner of the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association, the NCAA’s governing body for women’s college rugby. “All the colloquialisms.” She then relayed another: “It’s going to take a village.

” USA WOMEN'S RUGBY SEVENS WINS BRONZE 🥉 THEIR HIGHEST EVER FINISH IN AN OLYMPICS pic.twitter.com/dcB3wmef5l Soccer and football’s less-heralded cousin has long struggled for traction stateside.

Rugby is a schoolyard staple in British Commonwealth nations, but rarely found on playgrounds here. While youth clubs offer touch and tackle games, most players in the American pro and amateur leagues discovered the sport in college. The college feeder system is lacking.

No outside nation sees America as an underdog. But to achieve bronze status in Club Olympus, even for a nation as sprawling and athlete-rich as this, was a clear upset. Given the challenges involved, those who love the sport know there is no guarantee of forward progress.

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