Your Scrumhalf Connection by Young Schmidtke Consulting
Your Scrumhalf Connection (YSCRugby) was launched in 2006 as West Rugby Blog with the aim of sharing women’s rugby news within the United States. In 2009, we underwent a rebranding exercise and expanded our coverage globally to include major international women’s competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, Olympics, World Rugby Sevens Series, World Rugby Sevens Series Challenge Tournament, Six Nations, and European Championships.
In addition to covering international tournaments, we also provide in-depth coverage of various domestic tournaments from different parts of the world. Our coverage includes but is not limited to USA’s Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), England’s Premiership (PWR), the French Elite 1, New Zealand’s Dr. Farah Palmer Cup, New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki, Ireland’s Energia All Ireland League (AIL), Wales’ Premiership, Scotland’s Premiership, Hong Kong Premiership, Spain’s Iberdrola League, the Kenya Cup, Uganda Cup, Australia’s Super W, South Africa’s Premier Division, Italy’s Series A Elite, the Uganda Cup, and the Africa Cup.
The Women’s Rugby Rundown
To bring this global coverage directly to our fans, we created the Women’s Rugby Rundown. This is our signature weekly show and newsletter that distills the massive world of rugby into a digestible, expert led update. Whether you are looking for international fixtures or club results from the Kenya Cup to the Energia All Ireland League, the Rundown is your essential guide to the sport.
Pioneers of the Pitch
For 20 years, we have been more than just a news site. We are Pioneers of the Pitch, dedicated to documenting the growth of the women’s game from the grassroots to the professional level. We provide in-depth coverage of various domestic tournaments including USA’s Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), England’s Premiership (PWR), the French Elite 1, New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki, and Australia’s Super W. Our mission is to ensure that every try, tackle, and triumph in women’s rugby has a place to be heard.
Wendy Young
Wendy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief of Your Scrumhalf Connection (YSCRugby) and has been championing women’s rugby since discovering the sport in 2001. Her playing journey began at the University of Oklahoma with the Roses, leading her to play for the Austin Valkyries and various select sides. Wendy was part of the USA Eagles pool from 2006 to 2010 and was named a non-traveling reserve for the 2010 Rugby World Cup.
Wendy took up refereeing in 2008 and quickly climbed to B Panel status, breaking major ground as the first woman to referee a Men’s Division 1 match in Texas as well as a Men’s D1 Red River Conference Final. Her high performance standard earned her appointments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, the WPL Referee Panel, and the honor of being named USA Rugby Female Referee Coach of the Year. After retiring from active match officiating in 2019 with a Lifetime Membership to the Texas Rugby Referee Association, Wendy spent five years in elite match governance as an MLR Referee Evaluator and Technical Zone Manager for Major League Rugby and USA International Test Matches.
Coaching is equally central to Wendy’s rugby background. She has led teams at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and the Austin Valkyries, along with multiple regional select sides across the West Rugby Union. She has also served in sports governance since 2009 through executive roles with USA Rugby and as the long-time Administrator for the Texas Rugby Union.
Behind the microphone, Wendy has been commentating since 2011. In 2023, she made history as the first female play-by-play commentator for Major League Rugby (MLR) and joined the league’s first all-women broadcast team. She joined the World Rugby broadcast team in 2024 and currently serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States. Beyond rugby, her commentary work spans professional football and NCAA softball.
Wendy has been behind the mic as a commentator since 2011. In 2023, she made history as the first female play-by-play commentator for Major League Rugby (MLR), later joining the league’s first all-women broadcast team on March 18, 2023. She hit another milestone in 2024 by joining the World Rugby broadcast team and currently serves as the lead announcer for Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional women’s rugby competition in the USA. While her voice is a staple of elite rugby coverage, her versatility behind the microphone extends across sports, including commentary for professional football and NCAA softball.
Wendy’s contributions across every facet of the game have earned her inductions into three halls of fame: the University of Oklahoma Rugby Hall of Fame (2014), the Texas Rugby Referee Association Hall of Fame (2019), and the Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame (2020).
E: wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com
M: 512-337-2221
Traci Young
Traci’s lifelong journey as a sports athlete encompasses achievements in basketball, attaining a Black belt in Taekwondo, and discovering rugby at Texas A&M University in 2001. Demonstrating a natural affinity for the sport, she passionately played until her retirement in 2012 with the Austin Valkyries.
Throughout her playing career, Traci consistently assumed leadership roles, serving as the President, Treasurer, and Captain for various clubs. In addition to her club involvement, Traci also showcased her talents on various select sides and was capped for the USA Rugby Junior National Team.
Traci has joined Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional women’s league in the United States, as the Director of Rugby Operations. This follows her induction into the Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame in 2024.
With YSC, she takes on a more understated role but remains a guiding force, supporting Wendy’s wild ideas. A silent partner, yet always the beacon, Traci channels her love for women’s rugby into worldwide travels, bringing you the latest news in the sport.
E: traci@scrumhalfconnection.com
About Young Schmidtke Consulting
Building on nearly two decades of media leadership and sports administration through Your Scrumhalf Connection (est. 2006), Wendy and Traci Young formally established Young Schmidtke Consulting LLC in 2024 to unite their sports, technology, event, and financial consulting under one umbrella. Together, they combine deep passion for athletics with proven strategic business insight. Young Schmidtke Consulting guides clients through the complex intersection of sports and commerce, delivering tailored solutions that drive real results.
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