Girls Rugby is excited to announce that we have hired Program Manager, Maddie Froyd to oversee our Oregon and SW Washington program. Maddie is an amazing person on and off the pitch. Read below to get to know her and her vision!
Maddie Froyd (she/her/hers), Girls Rugby Oregon/SW Washington Program Manager
Tell us a little bit about yourself and a bit of your background
I grew up in Washington on a small organic herb, flower, vegetable and fruit farm. From pretty much the day I could walk my dad encouraged me to try any hobby that piqued my interest and sports always seemed to be what I gravitated to most. I played soccer competitively for 12 years and then upon attending college at the University of Oregon I was introduced to rugby and immediately fell in love with the sport and the community surrounding it. While playing I also served as the teams President and Coordinator for two seasons while also obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Applied Business and Economics.
Why did you want to work with Girls Rugby?
While I am not currently playing rugby, I had such a strong desire to still be a part of the community. Rugby taught me confidence and gave me a whole new family I didn’t even know existed. As someone who did not learn of the sport until I was 18 years of age I can only hope to spread the love of the game to younger generations.
Why is empowering young girls important to you?
I am an older sister and an auntie to many, so I have spent most of my life seeing how our actions so greatly affect the younger minds around us. I think it is important to empower them and give them outlets and tools to build on and use in their everyday life so that they can become amazing leaders of tomorrow, both on and off the pitch.
What is an important value that you think is essential for girls to learn?
It is almost impossible to choose just one, but if I had to pick it would be for all girls to learn to be bold. Take that and use it in whatever way you need for the day. Sometimes being bold can be a fun new hairstyle, other times it can be bold enough to step up and try a new position on the pitch, or being bold enough to stick up for someone who cannot stick up for themselves. Whatever it is, just choosing to be unapologetically bold everyday is a great value.
What are you most looking forward to with the upcoming season?
This is my first season with the program, so I am so excited to meet all the players and their families. Watching Saturday games and seeing all the smiles on the pitch is going to be an incredible feeling. Hopefully they will let me throw the ball around with them too!
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
In High School I studied abroad in Italy. To this day I still speak some Italian!
To reach Maddie or find out more information on Girls Rugby programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington, contact her at oregon@girlsrugbyinc.com.