Six athletes from the Harvard Women’s Rugby team are participating in the USA Women’s Eagles Domestic Camp, which is overseen by Coach Mel Denham. The players attending are Tiahna Padilla ’26, PK Vincze ’25, Cassidy Bargell ’22, Gemma Ogoke ’29, Courtney Taylor ’27, and Malia Isaacs ’25.
The purpose of the camp is to evaluate domestic rugby talent, establish national standards, and guide player development ahead of the 2029 and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup cycles. Staff at the camp will review physical metrics and rugby knowledge to identify potential candidates for both current and future positions on the national team. Players received invitations based on pathway assessments, talent identification events, and notable performances.
Among those selected, Padilla has twice been named NIRA MVP and is recognized for her strong performance in both offense and defense. Taylor contributed significantly to a high scrum success rate for Harvard. Ogoke stood out as a leading try scorer and defensive player. Vincze was honored with All-NIRA recognition during Harvard’s run to the 15s National Championship. Isaacs has played for the U.S. at the U23 level, while Bargell brings experience from both senior national teams and elite women’s rugby competitions.
