The Ice Monkeys Rugby team has been around the Twin Ports since 2001, but this year, under the Twin Ports Rugby Football Club umbrella, women rugby players are finally taking the pitch.

“Our men’s team’s been asking for some time, like, “Hey, why don’t we have a women’s side?” There’s definitely the interest and the energy for it. We just haven’t had that opportunity to really coordinate and pull things together. So we’ve got our nonprofit status. We’re one club ready to support each other. It’s been great to cheer on the men’s side today and to be able to debut our own team,” said Stephany Medina, member of the Superior Sirens.

On Saturday, Twin Ports Rugby introduced their women’s squad, the Superior Sirens. While the Northland may not be best known for its rugby community, it’s out there, and it’s a great one.

“It’s just a really great opportunity to be part of the rugby community,” said Medina. “It’s a really welcoming community, and it’s a great opportunity to just really feel empowered and be a part of something athletic with opportunities to play.”

Accompanied by men’s and youth games, it was a perfect event for the women’s team to make their mark on the Northland, and they sure did, beating the Vipers in shutout fashion, 38-0.

The Sirens practice Mondays and Thursdays, and even if you aren’t the most interested in the sport itself, it’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone and meet some new people.

“When I started, I had just moved up here and I didn’t know anybody, so rugby gave me a way to make new friends and I’m still friends with most of them today,” said Lana Coblentz of the Sirens. “I live with a bunch of rugby people and I’m continuing trying to give that love and support and bringing more girls in for rugby as a new coach at UMD for the women’s rugby team. I’m really excited to keep the traditions going and keeping everybody excited about it.”

“We like to say every body is a rugby body, so it’s definitely a part of our community,” said Medina. “But you can be a referee, you can be the team photographer. There’s a lot of different ways to get involved.”