BIDDEFORD, Maine — The University of New England will make athletic history this weekend, as the Biddeford school’s women’s rugby program will make its debut.
The Nor’easters’ first varsity rugby season kicks off Saturday on campus as the team will host Harvard University at noon at Barbara Hazard Field.
UNE has competed at the club level since its 2012 inception, claiming the New England Rugby Football Union championship in 2015.
That same year, UNE participated in the National Small College Rugby Organization National Championship, finishing ranked 16th in the country while winning the third-place game in the Northeast Region bracket.
The Nor’easters will compete in the National Collegiate Women’s Varsity Rugby Association, which serves as collegiate women’s varsity rugby’s governing body.
Other member schools include American International, Bowdoin, Army, Brown, Central Washington, Dartmouth, Davenport, Dowling, Eastern Illinois, Harvard, Life, Long Island University, Post, Molloy, Norwich, Notre Dame College, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Westchester and Wheeling Jesuit.
UNE President Danielle Ripich expressed her excitement for the team’s opener.
“I am so proud of everything these student athletes have accomplished to work toward their first varsity season, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to show Harvard what UNE spirit is all about,” Ripich said.
Prior to the match, the school will host a cookout and reception for friends and neighbors of UNE, along with the campus community, scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. The cookout will be held adjacent to the Campus Center, and will include an explanation of the rules of rugby from UNE head coach Ashley Potvin-Fulford.
A ceremonial scrum will be held between Harvard and UNE team members just before the match.