The history of the Chicago Women's Rugby Football Club ( CWRFC ) dates back to 1976 when, legend has it, a group of women who were married to or dating male rugby players started a team to show that they, too, could play the sport.
Scenes from Chicago Women's Rugby Football Club matches. Photos from Corrie Neuens
'We didn't start out as a gay team—rather, the opposite,' said Corrie Neuens, 30, the president of the 25-member team.
The CWRFC now boasts players ranging from 21 to 34, most living in the city of Chicago—and 90 percent of the players are lesbians. They carry doctors, students, gym managers, police officers, tattoo artists and more on the roster.
'We're really diverse; we come from all different backgrounds. But, for some reason we all get along. And that's kind of rare for a team with this many women,' said Neuens, a Green Bay native who has lived in Chicago since 2001 and works as a materials engineer.
'I've played a lot of sports for years, ( including ) softball, basketball, volleyball,' she added. 'But the camaraderie that comes along with women's rugby is unlike any other sport I've played. My teammates are my best friends in the world, period.
There definitely is competitiveness and it's no-holds-barred on the pitch, but afterwards, you always host the [ visiting ] team and give them a party. That's how you make long-distance, lifelong friends.'
Lisa Gartner is the CWRFC head coach, and is assisted by Kelly Henson and Sue Whitwell. All three are past CWRFC players, part of an alumni membership that ranges from 500-1,000, Neuens said.
The CWRFC alum are affectionately called COWs: Chicago Old Women, Neuens added.
The CWRFC has two seasons, fall and spring.
'We're one of the originating women's rugby teams in the nation. We've lasted through the ups and downs,' Neuens said. 'Back in the early to mid 1990s, we were a national contender, right up there with the best of them,' Neuens said. 'Then we endured some retirements [ and went through a ] re-building stage.'
The CWRFC's archrival is North Shore Chicago Women's Rugby.
'The competition in the Midwest is really good,' Neuens said. 'There are three other D1 teams in the Midwest: North Shore and two teams from Minneapolis. Both Minnesota teams are ranked in the top five in the nation.'
The CWRFC will have a booth near Spin nightclub, 800 W. Belmont, this summer during the Northalsted Market Days festival.
'Being able to full-on tackle someone, to just lay them out … that's one of the most enjoyable things for me to do,' Neuens said. 'I'm not trying to hurt anyone; I just like going out there and being really aggressive.'
