Albany Knicks RFC - Women's History

Albany Sirens Women's Rugby was established in New York's Capital District in 2000, adding a Division II female side to the Albany Knickerbockers Rugby Football Club (AKRFC). The Sirens began slowly, with moderate numbers and varying experience. But despite changing rosters and quirky Northeast weather, the Sirens grew over the next few years to emerge as a top-3-or higher seed in their local area union, NERFU.

The Sirens are very grateful to our parent club, whose membership has supported the women in everything from kit, to fundraising, to coaching. The close nature of the Knicks organization has taught us a lot about the camaraderie that is such a huge part of the rugby experience. Sirens players work hard to support the club.

It is said that playing rugby takes all kinds and the Sirens are no exception. Over the years, teachers and law enforcement officials and doctors and store managers and college kids and moms have all taken the pitch for Albany. We range in age from 19 to "mind your own business", and are always recruiting any woman of any age or experience level which is what has kept us strong and diverse through our years. On the pitch or off, whether we are playing a match, working hard at practices, or relaxing at post-game celebrations, it is obvious that we are a team with connections that grow stronger day by day. We are very proud of the fact that four of the women who took part in that first Sirens season still take the pitch for us today!

Our strength and development have led us to NERFU championships, NRU play-off appearances, and multiple National Division II appearences. The Sirens have appeared at the annual Can-Ams in Saranac Lake, NY for the past years having placed as high as second overall. Several former and current Sirens have represented the Adirondack Region of New York State in the Empire State Games, with a sevens side that has brought home bronze, silver and gold medals that make the Knicks proud. Our women have even represented the Northeast in the USA Rugby Sevens Territorial Championships. Current Sirens, Claudia Braymer and Jo Ward also represent the United States as Eagles in tournaments such as the World Cup and Amsterdam Sevens.

As we look to the future, the Sirens have set some lofty goals for ourselves, such as staying on top of NERFU and NRU play and sending players to the NERFU and NRU select-sides. And with continued growth and motivation and our sheer love of the game of rugby, we plan to travel back the Women's National Tournament in the near future and come back with the Title!

That said, we will continue our vigorous recruitment and teaching of fundamentals to expand our ranks and our depth. We look forward to the continued success and health of the Knicks organization, current and future, with emerging efforts to organize youth programs for local boys and girls and broaden the awareness of rugby in our area, and we thank you for your support!