“Radlove” for Women’s Rugby
Graphic by Amelie Lima
On Nov. 22, the Harvard women’s rugby team made history under the lights of Mignone Field. In the grand finale of their undefeated season, top-ranked Harvard defeated No. 2 Lindenwood University, claiming their third consecutive National Intercollegiate Rugby Association title. With this victory, the team also became the first collegiate women’s rugby team to claim four national championships, further cementing their legacy of excellence in the sport.
Harvard’s women’s rugby legacy began in 1983 with the creation of the Harvard-Radcliffe Women’s Rugby Footbull Club. Nearly 30 years—and two national titles—later, Harvard Athletics elevated women’s rugby to varsity status. Since then, the program has helped lead the surge in popularity and development of women’s collegiate rugby nationwide.
Outside of collegiate titles, the program has seen many players transition into professional careers upon graduation, representing their respective countries on the international level. Just this year, Cassidy Bargell ’22, known for bringing awareness ulcerative colitis by speaking out about her own experiences with the condition, competed for Team USA alongside three other Crimson rugby alumni—Cheta Emba ’15, Maya Learned ’18, and Erica Jarrell-Searcy ’22—at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
Being a member of the Harvard women’s rugby team not only places student-athletes into a decorated athletic program, but also a community spanning three decades of female athletes. The three senior captains of this year’s squad—Tiahna Padilla ’26, Nafanua Malietoa Fitisemanu ’26, and Charlotte Gilmour ’26—shared insights into the program’s culture and history with the Independent, an aspect of the team that made winning the NIRA title at home just that much more special.
“What made it truly special was inviting our alumni onto the pitch after the win and sharing that moment with previous generations,” the captains wrote in a joint statement. “It’s incredible to feel the love and support that spans decades of Harvard, formerly Radcliffe, women’s rugby players.”
As for the present members and culture of Harvard’s women’s rugby, the captains claim their success is, at least in part, attributed to the embodied mentality of “Radlove.” The team has coined the term “Radlove” to describe the unwavering care, love, and commitment they have for and to each other. “Radlove has always been a driving force in Harvard women’s rugby,” the captains wrote.
With “Radlove” as the foundation, the captains say the team has been able to hone in on a specific strength—the ability to compete: “Not just on Saturdays, but showing up to push one another, day in and day out, so we are the hardest competition we see all season. These core values working together are integral to our success.” It is with this sentiment, and a culture of unwavering support, that players have pushed each other to the next level, sharing the accomplishment of bringing home three national titles. “It’s incredibly special for a group of 30 girls to align to a common goal, so getting to drive that is an honor,” wrote the captains.
The team’s three-peat comes at a time of unprecedented growth for the sport of rugby, especially in the women’s game. A recent analysis of audience trends revealed that more than 49% of rugby fans have joined the fandom in the last two years. Just this year, the Women’s World Cup shattered viewing records with over 12 million television viewers. This figure does not even account for the immense viewership gained from social media with icons like Ilona Maher, who boasts an impressive 8.7 million followers, bringing further recognition to the sport.
“We’re grateful for icons like Ilona Maher, who have helped bring rugby into the international spotlight. But there’s always more to strive for,” wrote the captains in response to the growth of the sport. “The culture of rugby is unlike any other sport, where on a community level, there’s camaraderie between opponents and lifelong friendships formed. While on an individual level, there’s a sense of empowerment that comes… [with] walking off the pitch after playing 80 minutes of full contact. The community is so strong and welcoming. We just hope to play a part in advancing the game.”
Megan Legault ’28 (mlegault@college.harvard.edu) wants to perform a rugby lift (vis-à-vis dirty dancing) on a night out at least once before she dies.