Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Leadership Endowment
PURPOSE
The mission of the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Leadership Endowment (WWRLE) is to promote the participation of women and girls in all levels of rugby and encourage women’s rugby players to gain leadership skills that will serve themselves and their community.
GRANTS
While there are many ways to achieve the mission of the WWRLE, the WWRLE primarily awards grants to women and girls within the rugby community who seek to develop their leadership skills in the sport of rugby and beyond through participation in specified programs and activities. These programs and activities do not need to take place in Wisconsin but grant recipients are expected to contribute to the Wisconsin rugby community. WWRLE is geared towards women, but grant recipients may identify as non-binary or trans.
The WWRLE seeks to diversify the types of projects we support. In particular we are interested in supporting women(+) players pursuing off-field leadership opportunities. Examples include but are certainly not limited to: work conferences, presentations, community enrichment, supplemental education, and more.
Should any Wisconsin Rugby community member have ideas or questions, we are always open to conversation.
To view funding guidelines and requirements,
and to request a grant from the WWRLE,
please fill out this application, hyperlinked below.
HISTORY
Wisconsin Women’s Rugby celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015. In those 40 (now nearly 50!) years, the team has been a steadfast presence for women’s rugby in the Midwest. To support future growth and continuing success – both on and off the pitch – the club established an endowment in 2015 thanks to a generous seed donation from coach Bob “Wee Bob” Jafferis.
In early 2019 the endowment was renamed to the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Leadership Endowment (WWRLE). In 2020 the WWRLE became a member of the Ethos of Rugby Foundation, whose mission is to promote the sport of rugby and its ethos by strengthening education, leadership development, and health & wellness.
WWRLE INFORMATION
The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Leadership Endowment is invested with Edward Jones Financial Advisors in Cottage Grove, Wis., near the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex. All donations to the WWRFC and WWRLE are tax deductible.
The WWRLE would like to give a special thanks to Terry Godfrey, who acts as treasurer. The WWRLE Executive Board has historically been run by three members; however, the board is seeking to expand to five members to better serve the mission. If you would like to nominate someone or yourself, please contact us at [email protected].
Current board members include:
- J Johnson – Wisc Women’s RFC Alumna
- Sybil Levine – Wisc Women’s RFC Alumna
- Margaret “Butter” Nedow – Milwaukee Scylla Alumna
HOW TO DONATE
Please print and include this form with your donation so we can send you a tax receipt for your records.
- Check
WWRLE
P.O. Box 259852
℅ Ethos of Rugby
Madison, WI 53725
- Online: Donations can be made via the Ethos of Rugby Foundation Donate page. Select the WWRLE option:
Ethos of Rugby Foundation – Donate
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
The WWRLE provides annual updates with alumni and supporters through our mailing list, as well as periodic updates to the Your Wisconsin Rugby monthly e-newsletter. Below are a few examples of previous grant award projects:
Cecelia Stowers
Green Bay Banshees
2023 U18 Girls Eagle Impact Rugby Academy Ireland Tour
‘I had such an amazing experience in Ireland this past tour. Since the minute I arrived at the airport and was reunited with my teammates, I enjoyed every second of this tour. The first few days of training, reuniting with all of my friends from around the country, meeting new teammates and coaches, and experiencing what it’s like to be in a different country was amazing and honestly so fun…I’m so grateful for this amazing opportunity and even if I wasn’t able to play as much rugby as I wanted to (due to an injury), I still not only expanded my knowledge about rugby, but I also built new relationships and strengthened the ones I already had. I am also extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this trip possible by donating to and supporting me, including my amazing coaches, friends, and family. Thank you!’
Ryley Rand
2022 WWRLE Grant Recipient
U-23 Wisconsin Select Side Team
“Thank you again for your support. Through that support, I was able to represent the state on the Wisconsin U23 Select Side team. I continued on to make the Midwest Select Thunderbirds after playing for this team as well. Through this experience, I not only met some amazing coaches and players but also gained so much leadership skill. I learned how to work well with others, both on and off the field. The players and the coaches that I had the opportunity to know because of your support have taught me so many rugby skills, and life skills too! Some of them even becoming life-long friendships and relationships! Thank you again for your support.”
Sybil Levine
WWRLE Grant Recipient
2019 USA Rugby Level 100 Referee Certification
“The support given to me by Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Leadership Endowment enabled me to access a level 100 referee course. The course was active and inspired me to seriously consider my future in rugby as a non-player. The rugby community in the Deep South is active and in need of referees, especially women. The relationships I fostered in the Midwest rugby community have ushered me into the good graces of the Deep South as I have found commonalities through shared teammates, rivalries, coaches and socials. I am grateful to be expanding my involvement in the game in this way.”
Elisa Becker (in yellow)
WWRLE Grant Recipient
2019 USA Rugby Level 200 Coaching Certification
QUESTIONS
Questions, concerns, invitations, and feedback can be directed to:
J Johnson, WWRLE Director
Please help share the WWRLE with others and build a brighter future for Wisconsin Women’s Rugby and women’s rugby across our region.
THANK YOU!