CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- When they’re not fixing aircraft, planning careers or establishing expeditionary communications, Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing can be found driving down the pitch in one of the most physically demanding sports in the world: rugby.
At the 2025 Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship in Chula Vista, California, held Sept. 5-8, five 3rd MAW Marines laced up for the All-Marine Women’s Rugby Team, carrying their unit pride and the Marine Corps’ fighting spirit into every match.
These experiences impact their lives, cultivating qualities and character traits that extend far beyond the field. Drawn from across the country and serving in commands from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the team included Lance Cpl. Elise Perkins, a flight equipment technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11; Sgt. Sarah Delgado, a career planner with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, MAG-39; and Sgt. Sierra Santaolalla, a ground electronics transmission systems technician with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, in the forward positions.
In the back positions were Sgt. Kendall Curtis, an aircraft ordnance technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, MAG-39, and Sgt. Stephanie Evtodi, a maintenance management specialist with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, MACG-38.
The Marine Corps Sports Program attracts athletes from a variety of backgrounds and unites them through a shared passion for the game and dedication to the Corps. For many players, rugby is more than just competition, it builds confidence, trust and leadership that carries over into their professional and personal lives.
Uniforms don’t just represent obligation to service. They stand for purpose, teamwork and pride. The U.S. Marine Corps offers programs that give Marines opportunities to succeed not only in their duties but also in competitive pursuits that strengthen the Corps.
The U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Rugby Team embodies that mission. Composed of Marines from across the nation, the team competes in national and international events while promoting military-to-military sportsmanship and representing the Corps in a challenging, physically demanding sport.
The team was founded June 5, 2019, during the inaugural Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Marines quickly made a name for themselves by securing silver in their first appearance.
“We began as a group with varying levels of experience and progressed to establish a cohesive All-Marine Women’s Rugby Team,” said Bryan Dyer, the head coach of the All-Marine Women’s Rugby Team. “By implementing the Marine Corps Warfighting principle ‘violence of action,’ we exercised decisive force in gameplay, demonstrated attacking speed and aggression, focused our concentrated power on tackles and rucks, and cultivated athletes who assertively led on the field.”
Since then, Marines have continued to stand out on the rugby field. In 2021, the team placed third overall, and Lance Cpl. Ubaida Ahmed, an aviation electronics mechanic with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd MAW, stood out to be selected for the All-Armed Forces Tournament Team. In 2022 and 2023, Marines delivered strong showings against sister services, with a draw facing the Air Force and a win over the Coast Guard. Most recently, in 2024, Cpl. Anastasia Schraff, an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, MAG-11, 3rd MAW, was selected for the All-Tournament Team after another hard-fought championship.
Beyond competition, the team engages in outreach efforts such as rugby clinics and mentorship programs for younger Marines and local youth, helping to promote the sport, strengthen connections and inspire the next generation of athletes in the military. Through these efforts, the Marines not only represent the Corps on the field but also serve as mentors in communities nationwide.
The discipline, leadership and perseverance required in competitive rugby translate directly into professional development, personal growth, and future endeavors, providing Marines with a wealth of skills to draw upon in every aspect of their lives.
From its founding in 2019 to the present, the Marine Corps Women’s Rugby Team continues to show that Marines achieve excellence on and off the field, carrying the values of discipline, resilience and honor into every match they play.