Dartmouth Women’s Rugby Travels to Fiji for Transformational Experience

There are trips and then there are experiences that shape a team.

Next month, Dartmouth Women's Rugby will travel to Fiji not simply to compete, but to immerse themselves in the spiritual home of Rugby 7s. For a program coming off a 2025 College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) 7s National Championship, this is more than a reward for excellence. It is an opportunity to grow, to connect, and to prepare for what comes next.

From March 18–29, the women's rugby team will train alongside the Fijiana 7s National Team, one of the most dynamic programs in international rugby and compete in the prestigious Marist 7s Tournament. The trip is made possible by the generosity of Friends of Dartmouth Women's Rugby, whose belief in the program has created a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these student-athletes.

But this journey is about more than rugby.

It begins with a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony, a sevusevu. A powerful moment of respect and connection with the local community. It continues with cultural immersion, community engagement with youth rugby players, and shared training sessions with athletes who have competed and medaled on the Olympic stage.

"Fiji is the spiritual home of Rugby 7s, and there is no better place in the world to learn how to play fast, keep the ball alive, and play with joy. We cannot imagine a more meaningful way to grow and prepare to defend our national 7s title than by learning first-hand the values of Fijian culture, its deep sense of community, and the way those values come to life through rugby," Head Coach Katie Dowty said. "We are grateful beyond words for the generosity and belief of our Dartmouth's Women's Rugby supporters and Dartmouth Athletics, who have afforded us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The Fijiana program has become one of the world's premier rugby forces, earning Olympic bronze in 2022 and building on decades of competitive success. For Dartmouth's student-athletes, training inside that environment offers something that cannot be replicated in any practice facility back home: a firsthand look at what global excellence looks and feels like.

"This trip represents a rare and transformative opportunity for our women's rugby student‑athletes," said Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Dartmouth Women's Rugby, our team will train with the Olympic medal winning Fijiana national rugby team while experiencing a depth of cultural and personal growth that will have a lasting impact long after they return to campus. We are so excited about the many ways in which our student-athletes will learn and grow from this opportunity."

The week will include attending a professional match between the Fijian Drua and Queensland Reds at Churchill Park, running the iconic sand dunes at Sigatoka Dunes National Park, a hallmark training ground of Fiji's gold-medal men's 7s team and competing in six matches over three days at Marist 7s.

But perhaps the most meaningful moments won't show up during competition.

It will be the shared meals. The laughter after long training sessions. The chance to see rugby played not just as a sport, but as a living expression of culture and community. It will be teammates growing closer, leaders emerging, and a championship team rediscovering the hunger that made them great.

"I am excited to immerse myself in Fijian culture and have the incredible opportunity to train with and learn from the Fijian women's rugby team," said Aby Lambert '29.

"It's such a unique experience to be able to travel the world with my best friends and teammates," Annie Henrich '28 added. "I'm so grateful to be able to embrace the culture and beauty of Fiji while playing the sport I love."

For seniors and first-years alike, this is a defining chapter in their Dartmouth experience, one that defines what makes the program special. At Dartmouth, success is not just measured in championships, but in the breadth of opportunity afforded to student-athletes.

"I feel so lucky and grateful that this is how we are getting to kick off an exciting 7s season," Katelyn Walker '26 said. "Who knew rugby could take you so far with your best friends?"

That may be the heart of it.

Women's Rugby at Dartmouth is about competing at the highest level and the Big Green will enter the 7s season with their sights set firmly on defending their national title. But it is also about exploring the world, building lifelong bonds, and stepping into environments that challenge and inspire.

For current student-athletes, Fiji is an unforgettable opportunity.

For future student-athletes, it is a glimpse of what is possible at Dartmouth.

And for a championship team preparing for another run, it may just be the spark that defines the season ahead.

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