Triton Athletics launches first-ever women鈥檚 rugby team
Triton Athletics launches first-ever women鈥檚 rugby team
Triton Athletics launches first-ever women鈥檚 rugby team
10/14/2021
The Triton Athletics Department has premiered its newest competitive sport and a first-time team for the 91快播: .
鈥淲e are very excited to add one of the island鈥檚 most popular sports to our Triton Athletics lineup,鈥� said UOG Athletics Director Doug Palmer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity for our talented student-athletes to be part of a team, hone their athletic abilities, earn scholarships, and represent the university.鈥�
The team made its debut in the two-day Lady Triton Women鈥檚 Rugby Sevens Tournament, which started on Oct. 16 and will conclude on Oct. 23. No spectators are allowed, but the games are livestreamed and available for viewing on the .
The Tritons are competing in the tournament against three other teams: High Performance, the Hybrids, and Para Todu.
Each team played each other once the first day of the tournament. Then the semifinals, a third-place match, and the championship game will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23.
The 鈥渟evens鈥� tournament features seven players per team on the field at a time. Each game includes two seven-minute halves.
鈥淭he short games will be fast-paced and high energy, making it fun for fans to watch as well,鈥� Palmer said.
The team has been practicing the past month under the leadership of Head Coach Kayla Taguacta-Chiong, who also serves as recreational sports coordinator for the Triton Athletics Department. Taguacta-Chiong has been playing rugby since she was 4 and has been the starting tackleback for the Guam Women鈥檚 National Sevens Rugby Union team since 2006, competing in her first international tournament as a junior in high school in 2009. She has been coaching rugby for the past seven years.
鈥淭o be able to coach UOG鈥檚 first rugby team is an honor,鈥� Taguacta-Chiong said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big accomplishment not only for the university, but for me as well. It鈥檚 exciting to see players from high school want to take it to the next level of play. I鈥檓 excited for what鈥檚 to come and can鈥檛 wait to see them representing our school.鈥�
Palmer said they are planning to hold at least three similar tournaments or leagues during the 2021鈥�2022 academic year. He said there is potential for a men鈥檚 team in the future as well.
The games have a maximum of 25 individuals present to include coaches, referees, and a cameraman, in accordance with the governor鈥檚 Executive Order 2021-20.
鈥淲e look forward to celebrating the start of the program in a bigger way when capacity restrictions for outdoor activities are lifted,鈥� Palmer said.