U.S Report
What’s happening for women in sport in the USA
BASKETBALL
Unrivaled
The player-owned three on three league is now into its third week. One of the brains behind the league, US Olympic gold medalist Napheesa Collier, is dominating with her Lunar Owls team. The Owls are the only undefeated team in the league with a 5-0 record, and ‘Pheese’ is a big reason why. The superstar power forward is leading the league in both points per game (28) and rebounds per game (11.8).
One of the league’s other investors, tennis star Coco Gauff, was a special guest over the weekend, posing for photos with some of the league’s stars, and posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), “It was so empowering being in a room with such incredible women and talented athletes. I am so happy to be part of Unrivaled Basketball.”
WNBA Free Agency
One thing which may have been on some of the Unrivaled players’ minds (plus some back in Australia) over the weekend was player movement in the WNBA, with the league’s Free Agency period opening.
From an Australian perspective, it’s been an exciting weekend, with several locals finding new homes or returning to the league:
Bec Allen: traded from Phoenix to Connecticut, before landing at Chicago Sky
Sami Whitcomb: after spending the past two seasons alongside fellow Opal Ezi Magbegor in Seattle, Sami is off to Phoenix Mercury, a franchise with a long association with Aussies including Penny Taylor, Michele Timms, Alanna Smith and Allen. After an early exit from last year’s playoffs, Phoenix appear to be loading up with a strong team, bringing in some experienced pieces but also exciting youth including Satou Sabally from Dallas.
Anneli Maley: the Gangurrus Olympian and Perth Lynx skipper has twice before been invited to training camp with Chicago and played a handful of games, but now has a new opportunity at L.A Sparks, where she’ll train alongside superstars like newly-signed Kelsey Plum, Cameron Brink and fellow Aussie Shaneice Swain. The Sparks have identified Maley’s main weapon in rebounding as a factor.
A stack of American big names have already found new homes during these opening days including Britney Griner (Atlanta Dream), Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury), DeWanna Bonner (Indiana Fever) and Jewel Loyd (Las Vegas Aces).
College
As the college season edges closer to the business end, some of the heavyweight teams are starting to flex their muscles, while others are stumbling just a little bit.
It was a big Sunday night in the US, with a couple of recent icons of the College game having their playing numbers retired. An emotional reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson was honoured at South Carolina, while Caitlin Clark had her iconic 22 raised into the rafters at Iowa, less than 12 months after she last wore it. The occasion lifted the current side, upsetting the higher ranked USC by seven points.
From an Australian perspective, Georgia Amoore produced possibly her best ever college performance, scoring a career high (and equal college record) 43 points as Kentucky defeated a strong Oklahoma side.
RUGBY UNION
Women’s Elite Rugby
It would’ve seemed like a dream to report on a women’s rugby tournament in the USA, but the emergence of Ilona Maher as a global sporting phenomenon has seen investors hope to maiximise momentum by pulling together a new six team semi-professional league to start in March. Yep, in one month’s time.
Teams are spread out across the nation: Boston Banshees and New York Exiles on the east coast, Chicago Tempest and Twin Cities Gemini to rep the upper Midwest, Denver Onyx the Mountain West and Bay Breakers on the West Coast.
While the likes of Maher, who is currently contracted in the English Women’s Premiership, won’t be part of it at least initially, the interest in the sport has grown massively. And in a country which is somewhat lacking in opportunities for women to play full contact sport, this may be sleeping giant of women’s sport in the US.
In an indication that there is already talent in the States, we only need to think back to last year when the US women’s team defeated Australia’s own Wallaroos. And with many Sevens players across the world playing both versions of rugby, some of Ilona Maher’s bronze medal teammates may put their hand up to join the league.
More announcements about the league will come, with some of those expected later this week to coincide with America’s National Girls and Women in Sport Day on Wednesday US time.
FOOTBALL
N.W.S.L
The American league is 40 days away from kicking off the new season, and teams are still in the process of finalising rosters.
Recently, Matilda Alanna Kennedy became the latest Aussie to re-join the league by signing with Angel City. After a controversial season in 2024 for the California-based club which saw the club face financial penalties, points deduction and two high level management temporarily banned from making player transactions until December 31 last year, the franchise will be hoping for a better 2025, and they’ve got off to a good start by unveiling the league’s newest and biggest new training facility.
With KC Current opening a dedicated stadium last year and other teams across both the NWSL and WNBA building new female-focussed facilities, sides like Angel City will have an ace up their sleeves when it comes to attracting talent.
From a player perspective, Angel City has extended the contracts of former number one draft pick Alyssa Thompson and sister Gisele, and over the weekend signed Japanese defender Miyabi Moriya.
Also in the past few days a new expansion side was announced, with Denver to field a side from 2026, making it the league’s 16th franchise.
ICE HOCKEY
P.W.H.L
Montreal sit on top of the table after a 2-1 win away win over New York on Monday morning, and sit six points clear from Minnesota in second spot. The team look determined to make up for last season’s clean sweep exit in the semi finals at the hands of Boston.
Canadian ‘GOAT’ and triple Olympic gold medalist Marie-Philip Poulin scored both of Montreal’s goals within minutes of each other, and in the process tied the all-time leading goalscoring record in the league’s short history.
VOLLEYBALL
Pro Federation
Over the weekend, the Pro Volleyball Federation announced an imitative with lifestyle company Kendra Scott to empower girls and young women. The partnership will see fans given the chance to give to organisations that support girls and women through a donation of a percentage of profits from pop-up stores at games, while Players of the Match will receive a financial bonus and jewellery from the company.
On the court, Vegas Thrill continue to lead the way after four rounds, with Indy Ignite and Atlanta Thrill close behind. Atlanta seem to be the team which has Vegas’ measure, inflicting both of Thrill’s losses so far.