The United States women’s rugby sevens team is making waves not just for their stellar play, but also for their viral TikToks from inside the Olympic Village. This team’s secret to success lies in their deep connections and strong team culture, making them both fun to watch and formidable on the field.
Building a Strong Team Culture
Team co-captain Naya Tapper emphasized the importance of their team culture at a press conference in Paris on July 27, just before their first matches of the tournament. She said, “We are full-time athletes. Our lives revolve around this sport and this team. For this Olympic buildup, we’ve focused on our culture, creating values that resonate with all of us.”
Their efforts are paying off. Team U.S.A. is 3-1 in Olympic play and headed to the semifinals for the first time in history. No U.S. rugby team, men or women, has come this close to a medal since the men won gold in Paris in 1924. Women’s rugby made its Olympic debut in 2016, where the U.S. placed fifth.
The High Woman Philosophy
Tapper explained that their unity is driven by values like selflessness, resilience, and courage, fostered through an exercise they call the high woman philosophy. Each player identifies the women in their lives who inspire them and shares these ‘high women’ with their teammates. This creates a strong bond and shared purpose.
“We all know each other’s ‘why’s,’ so when energy and performance fluctuate, we can lift each other up,” Tapper said. “That builds the strongest connection.”
Personal Inspirations
Three-time Olympian Alev Kelter chose her grandmother, Leyla, who immigrated to the U.S. from Turkey and traveled to Paris at 96 to watch the games. Kelter admires her grandmother’s confidence and fearlessness.
Ilona Maher, a social media sensation at her second Olympics, is inspired by her family, including her nurse mother who motivated her to pursue nursing school, and her two sisters, one of whom is also her manager.
Honoring Public Figures
The team also looks up to public figures. Tapper chose Serena Williams for promoting body positivity and showing that muscles are beautiful for women. Nicole Heavirland, in her second Olympics, admires Allyson Felix for balancing her athletic career with motherhood. Co-captain Lauren Doyle respects Taylor Swift for re-recording her music to regain control of her copyrights, a story she learned through the high woman project.
Mental Toughness and Team Bonding
Team bonding is crucial for the mental side of rugby. The players spend less time on strategy and more on their mental game, working with team sports psychologist Peter Haberl. They discuss their values and high women to become comfortable with vulnerable conversations.
Alev Kelter explained, “We need to be more comfortable having vulnerable conversations. We struggle with confidence and doubt daily, but talking about our values and high women helps.”
Handling Pressure
As a top-four team, the pressure to win a medal is intense. The team focuses on what they can control, like being good teammates and showing up prepared. Nicole Heavirland, who has worked with Haberl for over a decade, said, “We have this big baggage of ‘Olympic gold,’ but if we focus on being good teammates, the outcome will speak for itself.”
Impact Beyond Medals
Beyond winning, the team aims to inspire others and grow the game of rugby. Lauren Doyle noted, “When people watch us, they see our connection and culture. We deliver the high woman message and get it out to the world.”
Naya Tapper believes their mental preparation has significantly boosted their performance. “Our culture represents us because we built it. You’ve seen the impact it’s had on our performance. The high woman philosophy has set us up for success.”
FAQs
What is the high woman philosophy? The high woman philosophy is an exercise where each player identifies women who inspire them and shares these inspirations with the team, fostering a strong bond and shared purpose.
Who are some of the players’ high women? Alev Kelter chose her grandmother, Ilona Maher chose her family, Naya Tapper chose Serena Williams, Nicole Heavirland chose Allyson Felix, and Lauren Doyle chose Taylor Swift.
How has the team’s culture impacted their performance? The strong team culture and shared values have created a deep bond and mutual support system, positively impacting their performance on the field.
What is the team’s focus for mental preparation? The team works with sports psychologist Peter Haberl, focusing on their values, mental toughness, and vulnerability to strengthen their mental game.
How does the team handle pressure? The team focuses on what they can control, such as being good teammates and showing up prepared, rather than fixating on the outcome.
What is the team’s goal beyond winning medals? The team aims to inspire others and grow the game of rugby by showcasing their strong connection and culture.
Conclusion
The U.S. women’s rugby sevens team’s success goes beyond their athletic abilities. Their strong team culture, mental toughness, and the high woman philosophy have created a bond that drives them to new heights. As they continue to inspire both on and off the field, they set an example of unity, resilience, and the power of shared purpose.
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