As Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) nears its inaugural season, the league has unveiled the names, logos, and colors for its six market teams. In partnership with UK-based creative agency MATTA, WER has created a visual identity that embodies strength, power, and the fierce determination of women athletes. The teams’ logos are inspired by the cities they represent, blending elements of local culture, history, and the unyielding spirit of rugby players.
Here’s a look at the teams and their unique identities:
Bay Breakers
Representing the Bay Area, the Bay Breakers logo features a powerful wave, broken by a trident, symbolizing the team’s unstoppable force and connection to the ocean. The wave represents nature’s might, with the trident reinforcing the team’s strength and unpredictability on the field. The colors—Sunset Purple, Pacific Blue, and Deep Sea Blue—invoke the beauty and energy of the California coastline.
Follow on Instagram: @wer_bay
Boston Banshees
Inspired by Boston’s rich history of rebellion and folklore, the Boston Banshees logo showcases a wailing banshee, a spirit from Irish mythology that signals impending doom. This fierce representation connects to New England’s roots in rebellion and the city’s strong Irish community. The logo’s colors—Moonlight White, Ghostly Gray, Blood-Moon Red, and Midnight—highlight the team’s intensity and readiness to dominate.
Follow on Instagram: @wer_boston
Chicago Tempest
The Chicago Tempest draws inspiration from the city’s extreme weather, specifically its harsh winters and intense storms. The logo depicts a storm above the Willis Tower, with powerful Lightning Yellow and Tempest Gray tones symbolizing the strength and resilience of the team. Just as Chicago’s weather tests its residents, the Tempest will bring relentless force to the pitch.
Follow on Instagram: @wer_chicago
Denver Onyx
Representing Denver, the Onyx logo reflects the city’s history of mining rare gems, with a focus on the Colorado rose onyx. The black onyx symbolizes strength, courage, and determination, while the sharp contrasts of black and bright pink in the logo reinforce the team’s intensity and sharpness. This team exudes the grit and resilience that Denver is known for.
Follow on Instagram: @wer_denver
New York Exiles
The New York Exiles logo draws on the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, representing liberty and the immigrant experience. The three hooded figures in the crest evoke the journey of immigrants through Ellis Island, while the torch ties into the city’s iconic symbolism of freedom. The team’s colors—Night Navy, Liberty Green, Shadow Teal, and Torch Orange—align with the city’s spirit of resilience and strength.
Follow on Instagram: @wer_newyork
Twin Cities Gemini
The Twin Cities (TC) Gemini represent Minneapolis-Saint Paul, where individuality and unity come together as one. The Gemini logo features two intertwined serpents, symbolizing the unity of the Twin Cities, bound together by the Mississippi River. The unpredictable nature of the snakes mirrors the team’s strategy on the field: quick, powerful, and ready to strike at any moment.
The colors—Deep Venom, Serpent Green, and Ice Blue—are inspired by the aurora borealis, a natural wonder visible in the Minnesota sky, and the team’s mission: to dominate the rugby field with a fierce, unstoppable force. The TC Gemini will be a force to be reckoned with, representing the tenacity, spirit, and unity of the Twin Cities.
Follow on Instagram: @wer_twincities
Ready to Strike: The Future of Rugby
Each of these teams is set to make its mark on the rugby world, bringing an exciting new energy to the sport in the United States. The Gemini, with their fierce identity rooted in the Twin Cities, will be a key team to watch as WER prepares for its inaugural season starting in March 2025. With athletes ready to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a woman in sports, WER is poised to change the landscape of American rugby forever.
About Women’s Elite Rugby (WER)
Women’s Elite Rugby is a newly established professional league dedicated to advancing women’s rugby in the United States. WER was formed out of the former Women’s Premier League and launched its campaign “Ignite the Change” to push for the professionalization of women’s rugby. Since its formation, the league has grown rapidly, culminating in the announcement of its inaugural season in March 2025.
WER’s mission is to create a space for women athletes to thrive, redefine traditional sports culture, and bring a fresh, empowering energy to rugby. The league features six founding teams—Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Bay Area, and Twin Cities—comprising 180 athletes from across the country. By focusing on community engagement, player development, and high-energy competition, WER aims to grow rugby’s presence in the U.S. and inspire a new generation of women athletes.
WER is not just about rugby; it’s about breaking down barriers, defying stereotypes, and empowering women to become leaders both on and off the field. The league will play a key role in pushing for greater visibility and equity in women’s sports, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of American rugby.
For more information on the league, visit the official WER website at womenseliterugby.us or follow them on Instagram @rugbyevolved.