Norwich published its season preview this morning (read here), but the most notable detail was confirmation of an actual women's college varsity league with a fall championship. The press release states:

“ … Norwich will now play an entire fall 15s schedule against varsity programs. In December, the Cadets will compete in the inaugural varsity 15s national championship.

"Our real objective is adjusting our culture to the modern varsity rugby league that will allow us to continue to be successful in the future," [Norwich head coach Austin] Hall said. "This year we'll be competing against 12 other varsity programs that are all following NCAA regulations. Every school is taking this professionally and the club attitudes are gone. I think we're moving in the direction towards having a NCAA varsity championship in the next few years."

There are still many parts in motion – organization of pools/structure, confirmation of championship participants, level of involvement with USA Rugby and a major sponsor – and a full report will be published as soon as those details are sorted. But one can forecast the huge ramifications as the varsity league becomes an identifiable, marketable entity, including the future health of USA Rugby's Elite DI and ACRA's DI competitions.

As for Norwich, it will be a leading contender for the inaugural varsity title. Women’s Collegiate All American (WCAA) Hannah Bell will captain the backs from scrumhalf, a new position for the former flyhalf in her senior year. Bell, who is the vocal leader on the field, is replacing recent graduate Emily Oor, who held the position for four years. Bell has some great support outside of her, with Ally Day (who spent the summer at the American Rugby Pro Training Center) and Emily Colesworthy anchoring the backline. A talented sophomore class returns and is led by Frankie Sands, who spent the summer with Old Blue and the Northeast Academy and drew special praise from WCAA 7s coach Brandon Sparks during the Elite City 7s. Alanna Girardin and Denisse Zambon are also exciting down the sideline, and Hall singled out wing Courtney Sullivan.

"Courtney has been the player of the preseason," Hall told Norwich Athletics. "She's been a try-scoring machine and I'm real excited to see what she can do this year."

The Cadets also picked up transfer Bayli Jenski, who relocated to Vermont from Montana State. The back was last seen tuning up at the National All Star Competition in June.

Riley Blankenship will captain the forwards and lean on fellow senior Val McGuire to lead an always mobile pack. While Norwich did lose Ilona Maher to Quinnipiac this season, the Cadets gained Sheila Decker, a tall, strong tight five who has competed with the Women’s Junior All Americans the previous two summers. Newcomer Kiona Ashe was a four-year field hockey, softball, and basketball letter-winner at Lowell High School, and promises some excitement this season.

The Cadets will take the pitch tomorrow in an exhibition game against Vermont Law, and then open its regular season against American International College on Sept. 13.

Stay tuned for more information on the varsity league as details are confirmed.