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Kittery Ruiz Named Boston Women’s Elite Rugby Head Coach
10/25/2024 12:34:00 PM | Women's Rugby
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown assistant women's rugby coach Kittery Ruiz has been named head coach of Boston's Women's Elite Rugby (WER) team.
WER is a professional 15s women's rugby league that will debut in 2025 as the first of its kind in the United States, pledging to pay a living wage to all its players and coaches.
She is the first head coach in the team's history and her coaching experience consists of collegiate, Women's Premier League (WPL), and USA Under-20 Women's National teams. Ruiz was hired as an assistant coach at Brown in 2022.
"Ruiz has coached and competed on the highest stages in domestic and international women's rugby," said head coach Rosalind Chou when Ruiz was hired. "Her background and experience in teaching enables her to be uniquely skilled in working with myriad types of learners and she could easily serve as a head coach at any institution."
Ruiz began playing rugby in 1997, from the collegiate level to the Women's Club, WPL, select side 7s and 15s, and lastly with the Women's National Team when she represented the United States as a hooker at the 2010 and 2014 Rugby World Cups.
Serving as the Commissioner of the WPL for nearly three years (2019-22), Ruiz had stints as the Head Coach of the Women's Premier League Select side. Ruiz is a USA Rugby Coach and Coach Educator.
She graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and psychology. In 2007, she earned her Master of Mathematics for Teachers from Boston University.
"It is a privilege and an honor to join Women's Elite Rugby," said Ruiz. "As Boston's first ever head coach, I am eager to get started and look forward tod to fostering an inclusive environment where talented athletes can pursue their dreams and grow to their fullest potential. It is very important for me to honor Kathy Flores' legacy both in the growth of women's rugby in America as well as at Brown University. I will be forever grateful for the trailblazing path that Kathy set for us all."
Ruiz will remain on Brown's staff in a part-time role to finish the season.
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WER is a professional 15s women's rugby league that will debut in 2025 as the first of its kind in the United States, pledging to pay a living wage to all its players and coaches.
She is the first head coach in the team's history and her coaching experience consists of collegiate, Women's Premier League (WPL), and USA Under-20 Women's National teams. Ruiz was hired as an assistant coach at Brown in 2022.
"Ruiz has coached and competed on the highest stages in domestic and international women's rugby," said head coach Rosalind Chou when Ruiz was hired. "Her background and experience in teaching enables her to be uniquely skilled in working with myriad types of learners and she could easily serve as a head coach at any institution."
Ruiz began playing rugby in 1997, from the collegiate level to the Women's Club, WPL, select side 7s and 15s, and lastly with the Women's National Team when she represented the United States as a hooker at the 2010 and 2014 Rugby World Cups.
Serving as the Commissioner of the WPL for nearly three years (2019-22), Ruiz had stints as the Head Coach of the Women's Premier League Select side. Ruiz is a USA Rugby Coach and Coach Educator.
She graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and psychology. In 2007, she earned her Master of Mathematics for Teachers from Boston University.
"It is a privilege and an honor to join Women's Elite Rugby," said Ruiz. "As Boston's first ever head coach, I am eager to get started and look forward tod to fostering an inclusive environment where talented athletes can pursue their dreams and grow to their fullest potential. It is very important for me to honor Kathy Flores' legacy both in the growth of women's rugby in America as well as at Brown University. I will be forever grateful for the trailblazing path that Kathy set for us all."
Ruiz will remain on Brown's staff in a part-time role to finish the season.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the lifeblood of the athletics program, and exists to enhance the student-athlete experience through philanthropic support from alumni, parents, fans and friends. A gift through the Sports Foundation makes an immediate impact on today's Brown Bears and helps them to be their best in the classroom, in competition and most importantly in the community. To learn more about supporting the Bears, please click here.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on Twitter, @BrownU_Bears on Instagram, like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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