Denver Onyx

Last updated

Denver Onyx
Denver Onyx.png
FoundedJanuary 2025;2 months ago (2025-01)
Location Denver, Colorado
Ground(s) Infinity Park
Coach(es) Sarah Chobot
Captain(s)TBA
League(s) Women's Elite Rugby

The Denver Onyx are an American semi-professional women's rugby union team based in Denver, Colorado. The team was founded in 2025 and is scheduled to play in the inaugural Women's Elite Rugby season. [1]

Contents

The franchise is led by Nick Donnelly as Senior General Manager (SGM) and Rachel Pierce as Assistant General Manager (AGM), who oversee all team operations, sponsorships, and community engagement initiatives.

History

Since Denver has a history in mining for rare gems and metals, the team name is derived from the Colorado rose onyx, "a gem which is featured in the foundation of the Colorado state capitol building and known for its colors that reflect a Colorado sunset." [2] The black onyx which is also mined in the state "represents strength, courage and determination symbolising the sheer grit and resilience of these athletes." The logo features gemstones in these contrasting colors of black and bright pink. [2]

Former Eagles representative, Sarah Chobot, was appointed to be the first head coach of the Denver franchise. [3] She currently serves as an assistant coach on the USA Women's Eagles team. [3]

Denver Onyx named Erica Coulibaly, Rachel Ehrecke, McKenzie Hawkins, Maya Learned, and Tahna Wilfley as their five foundational members. [4]

Their matches will be played at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado. [5]

Players

Current squad

The Denver Onyx squad for the 2025 Women's Elite Rugby season is: [6]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

PlayerPositionUnion
Jeanna Beard Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Saher Hamdan Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Gianna Solomon Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Sheila Decker Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Laura LaVigne Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Maya Learned Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Evie Oglesby Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Gabby Rivera Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Rachel Ehrecke Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Hannah Long Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Amy Spafford Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Hallie Taufo'ou Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Kapoina Bailey Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Tahlia Brody Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Carson Hann Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Rachel Johnson Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
PlayerPositionUnion
Monique Coffey Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Kelsie O'Brien Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Carly Waters Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Alessandra Cruz Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Kristin Bitter Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
McKenzie Hawkins Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Justine Perl Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Julie Tordonato Centre Flag of the United States.svg United States
Erica Coulibaly Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Denali Graham Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Kiana Lally Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
KB Slaughter Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Tahna Wilfley Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States

Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.

References

  1. ↑ Pengelly, Martin (January 29, 2025). "'High-energy, risk-taking, intense' US women's league shows its rugby colors". The Guardian. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Smith, Allison (January 29, 2025). "Women's Elite Rugby (WER) Announces Their Highly Anticipated Team Names, Colors, and Crests Spearheaded by Partnership with MATTA". Women's Elite Rugby. Retrieved March 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. 1 2 "Women's Elite Rugby (WER) Announces 2025 Head Coaches for Inaugural Season". Women's Elite Rugby. October 24, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ Smith, Allison (February 5, 2025). "Denver Onyx Announces Their Foundational Five Players Ahead of the League's Inaugural Season". Women's Elite Rugby. Retrieved March 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ↑ Smith, Allison (February 19, 2025). "Women's Elite Rugby (WER) Releases Venues, Schedule, and Tickets ahead of Inaugural Kickoff in March". Women's Elite Rugby. Retrieved March 5, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ Lane, Ro (February 18, 2025). "Denver Onyx Announce 2025 Athlete Roster". Women's Elite Rugby. Retrieved February 26, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Denver Onyx at Women's Elite Rugby

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