Girls at Hudson Catholic are pioneering high school women’s rugby
Four young women who have played rugby during their high school years at Hudson Catholic — the only high school offering women’s rugby in New Jersey — will go on to play collegiate women’s rugby at their universities of choice.
Kayla Spiegel, Zoe Bozzone, Jordan Bates, and Alana Garcia plan to join women’s teams at their respective colleges in the fall. Spiegel will be playing rugby at Emory and Henry University, and Bozzone will play at Fairfield University. Additionally, Bates will play at Montclair State, and Garcia will play at Marywood University. The girls will also be attending on scholarships.
A unique opportunity for young women
Since 2002, women’s rugby has experienced rapid growth in popularity as an emerging National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sport. Subsequently, schools began adopting the sport. World Rugby reports that over 25% of all rugby players are now female, with women players increasing 28% since 2017.
Hudson Catholic, a co-ed Catholic high school in Jersey City, launched its men’s varsity rugby team in 2013. Subsequently, in 2018, the school formed a women’s rugby team. They began with just three members who often practiced with the boys, according to Terry Matthews, the principal of Hudson Catholic. The team was disbanded due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. In 2023, Matthews and head coach Ashley Allen revitalized the team.
The team competes in the Girls U-19 Division of New Jersey Rugby, alongside Union Rugby and Morris Rugby. According to Matthews, the team is the only women’s rugby team in the state affiliated with a high school varsity program. Accordingly, they play an independent schedule, competing against teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, and Illinois.
Recently, they demonstrated their skills at the Rugby Showcase East in Lebanon, N.J. They competed alongside players and teams from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
“Being the coach of the only high school girls’ rugby team in the state, predominantly composed of Black and Hispanic females in a predominantly white-male community, we actively challenge traditional gender stereotypes and barriers within athletics,” coach Ashley Allen said. “By having a team of diverse young girls excel in a historically male-dominated sport, we provide powerful representation and role models for our community.”
Allen expressed pride in “paving the way for future generations of female athletes to pursue their passions without limitations.” Leading the team, she said, has not come without its challenges.
Because of a lack of nearby competitors, “coordinating competitive opportunities for my team often involves significant effort,” Allen said. Subsequently, the team frequently travels to other states multiple times each season to secure games.
Athletes lean on their Catholic faith
Team members said they lean on their faith to overcome challenges on and off the field.
Bozzone said her Catholic faith has provided her with a “strong moral foundation” that influences her dedication to her team.
“My faith provides strength in challenges and gratitude in successes, guiding me to maintain a positive attitude and uphold sportsmanship in every aspect of my life,” Bozzone said. “My approach to training, gameplay, and team interactions is guided by the ideals of commitment, integrity, and empathy that come from my faith. I am inspired by Catholic teachings on humility and service to put the needs of the team first and create a solid, supportive atmosphere.”
Bozzone was the female Scholar-Athlete of the year at Hudson Catholic this year.
Spiegel said faith plays a significant role in her athletics, guiding her approach to sportsmanship and leadership.
“My Catholic faith means so much to me. We were taught to ‘love thy neighbor.’ That teaching helps me work not only with my team but also my opponents,” Spiegel said.
Spiegel said she is proud to represent Hudson Catholic’s women’s rugby team among its inaugural graduating class of senior varsity players. Furthermore, she hopes other girls will become involved with the sport.
“I love to see women’s rugby finally getting the love that it deserves. Rugby is not an easy sport to play. Now, we get to show the world the talent and hard work that we put into this sport,” Spiegel said.
Spiegel received the Brother Henry Laffey Award. The school presents the award to a senior who best exemplifies the spirit of Hudson Catholic Regional High School.
Women’s rugby values echo Catholic teachings
Other team members include Sophia Sanchez, Amijah Frazier, Samantha Reyes, Janiyah Lee, Ryan Laurie, Ja’Laya Clark, and Karonna Johnson.
Matthews said by offering a women’s rugby team reinforces the school’s mission to fuse culture, diversity, and education.
“I believe that the ethos of rugby is in lock-step with our school’s mission,” he said. “Rugby’s traditional ethos of sportsmanship and camaraderie, respecting opponents and officials, and not permitting taunting, trash-talking, or showboating are aspects that differentiates the sport. Players quickly learn the importance of personal responsibility and accountability.”
Matthews noted the tremendous opportunities on the collegiate and national levels for players, especially women.
“At this time, there are really no sports for women that provide the physicality of football, the speed and kicking ability of soccer, the tackling ability of wrestling, and the field vision of basketball all rolled into one,” Matthews said. “So, for any girl who wants to play a contact sport, Rugby offers the total package.”
Featured image: Hudson Catholic women’s rugby players, wearing pink jerseys, competed at the Rugby Showcase East. (Photo: Lindsay Eisenhart)
