UPDATE Feb 25: The full WER 2025 schedule, matchups, and rosters are now live! Don’t miss a moment of the inaugural season—check out the latest details here.
The Path to Professional Rugby: WER Opens Player Declaration for 2025 Season
The professional era of women’s rugby is officially upon us with the latest announcement from Women’s Elite Rugby (WER). WER has opened the player-declaration process ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 season, signaling a new chapter for women’s 15s rugby in the U.S. Alongside the declaration details, WER has addressed key questions around league structure, player benefits, and the selection process. For those interested, the full FAQ section is available on their website.
Ready to Declare?
Aspiring professional players, this is your moment. WER’s Player Declaration process begins Monday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. ET and closes on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10 p.m. ET. This window is your opportunity to step onto the pathway to professional rugby in the U.S.
To complete the process, players are required to fill out a comprehensive player survey, a medical questionnaire, a HIPAA waiver, and provide links to 2-3 match videos, showcasing at least 40 minutes of game play. These materials will be used by coaches to make their selections for the 30-player rosters over the next few months.
Who is Eligible?
There are specific eligibility considerations for high school and collegiate athletes, so WER encourages athletes to check in with their coaches before applying. While WER’s collegiate selection process will take place in May, international players should note that WER cannot support visas at this time.
The Selection Process
Selection kicks off in November when each of the six league teams will choose five foundational players who best represent their local rugby communities. Two additional rounds of selections will take place in December, with players receiving notification after each round to sign their initial league agreements. Complete rosters will be finalized by January 2025.
For those who don’t make the final roster, there will still be a chance to get involved as part of the On-Call Athlete program. This offers local rugby players the opportunity to step in when squads are affected by injuries or other roster needs.
For players who prefer to stay in their current rugby town, WER offers an In-State Athlete Designation. While this designation doesn’t guarantee a spot on the local team, it allows players to remain considered by their home region.
The Season Structure
The six inaugural teams—Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and Twin Cities—will compete in a home-and-away format from late March to late June, with pre-season kicking off in mid-February.
Players can expect a 16-hour work week outside of game travel and competition. This includes:
- Three two-hour training sessions
- Three 1.5-hour strength and conditioning sessions
- Three one-hour team meetings (for game analysis, film review, etc.)
Each week will feature a minimum of two rest days, allowing athletes to balance intense training and recovery.
Player Benefits
Though WER is still in its start-up phase and actively fundraising, they’ve already committed to a robust support system for players. Benefits include:
- Elite coaching and training
- Full travel coverage (flights, hotels, ground transportation, meals)
- Comprehensive medical support, including athletic trainers, sports performance coaches, and team physicians
- A sports science database for wellness data, load management, and metric tracking through wearable technology
Have Questions?
To address any lingering concerns, WER is hosting a series of town hall meetings via Zoom on the following dates:
This is an exciting moment for women’s rugby, and with WER’s player-declaration period officially open, the 2025 season is poised to bring professional women’s rugby to the forefront of the U.S. sports landscape.
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