This week, I spoke with Faith Morley, a professional women’s rugby player for the NY Exiles.
In 2025, Women's Elite Rugby played its inaugural season, marking the first time women in the United States had a professional avenue in the sport, with six founding teams.
Two years into the league’s history, the growing pains aren’t hard to miss — most visibly this season, when fans organized a league-wide blackout in protest of the WER’s trans-exclusion policy.
But no one feels the reality of a new league like the players do. These athletes are playing at a pro level on top of careers and other jobs, commuting hours to practice, and training without access to a dedicated facility. That might sound bleak, and while I do resent the conditions women pros have to deal with in startup leagues, I can’t help but feel proud of what these players are doing: building a legacy of professional women’s rugby because they love the game that much, and care about its future.
Today’s guest, Faith Morley, put all of this into perspective. We talked through:
Faith’s journey to rugby, out of spite for her older brother
Her college career and experience playing abroad in Ireland
What life actually looks like for an athlete in startup leagues like the WER
Two years of the WER in review, and what Faith hopes to see going forward
The league's 2026 trans-inclusion controversy, and how players and fans showed their solidarity with the trans community
The story of the 2026 Exiles season and why they’re coming back hungry next year
Enjoy!
LINKS
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