How U.S. Women’s Rugby Uses The ‘High Women Philosophy’ To Go For Gold At Paris Olympics

The U.S. Women’s Rugby sevens team has captivated audiences on TikTok, not merely due to their amusing takes from within the Paris Olympic Village but because of the palpable camaraderie that transcends the screen. Behind the viral moments lies a concerted effort to cultivate a profound connection, which manifests both on the field and digitally.

“We are full-time athletes. Our lives are intertwined with this sport, this team, and this organization,” articulated team co-captain Naya Tapper during a press briefing in Paris olympics on July 27, the eve of their initial matches. “In preparing for the Olympics, we’ve devoted significant energy to nurturing our culture and establishing shared values that resonate deeply with each of us.”

This focus appears to be bearing fruit. Team U.S.A. boasts a 3-1 record in Olympic play, advancing to the semifinals for the first time in history. No U.S. rugby team, male or female, has come this close to medaling since the men’s squad clinched gold in Paris in 1924. Women’s rugby, which debuted in the Olympics in Rio 2016, saw the U.S. team finish fifth.

Tapper emphasizes that the team’s unity is fortified by embracing values such as selflessness, resilience, and courage, alongside an exercise they term the “high woman philosophy.” Each player reflected on the women who inspire and motivate them daily, sharing these personal reflections with the team. This practice ensures that every time they step onto the field, they are mindful of whom they represent.

“We’re all aware of each other’s ‘whys,’ so even during fluctuations in energy and performance, we can uplift one another,” Tapper explains. “It forges the strongest bonds.”

U.S. Women’s Rugby

The team undertook several rounds of sharing their ‘high women.’ The initial round focused on those personally close to them, such as mothers or grandmothers. Three-time Olympian Alev Kelter selected her grandmother, Leyla, who emigrated from Turkey to the U.S. “She’s 96 and made the journey to Paris to watch,” Kelter shares. “She embodies confidence, fearlessness, and resilience, unafraid of rejection.”

Ilona Maher, a burgeoning social media phenomenon in her second Olympics, cites her family as her “why,” particularly her mother, a nurse who inspired Maher to pursue nursing, and her sisters, one of whom also manages her. “I strive to make my family proud,” Maher says. “When playing amidst all the attention, I focus on my teammates and my family.”

The players also chose ‘high women’ they admire outside of their families. Tapper highlighted Serena Williams for her pioneering role in body positivity. “She was the first woman to make me see muscles as beautiful on women,” Tapper says.

Nicole Heavirland, in her second Olympics, chose 11-time medalist Allyson Felix, not only for her track accomplishments but for demonstrating that female athletes are multifaceted. “A powerful image for me is her holding her baby at the Olympic trials,” Heavirland says. This year, Felix initiated the first-ever nursery for athlete-parents in the Olympic Village. “I admire her and aspire to balance parenthood with athletic pursuits.”

Co-captain Lauren Doyle selected Taylor Swift as one of her ‘high women’ after learning Swift was re-recording her music to regain control over her copyrights. “I thought it was remarkable, and I wouldn’t have known about it if not for the high woman project,” says Doyle, who admits she’s not typically a Swift fan. “This project encouraged me to learn more about Swift’s music, which my rugby roommates are helping me explore.”

Team bonding, crucial for the mental aspect of rugby, has bolstered the team’s confidence individually and collectively. The women now dedicate less time to tactical discussions and more to mental training with sports psychologist Peter Haberl.

“It would be foolish to claim we fully know ourselves or are immune to self-doubt,” Kelter admits. “We engage in these values discussions and sports psychology sessions, talking about our high women, to become more comfortable with vulnerability.”

This confidence is also cultivated among teammates. Maher, who has received various comments about her body on social media, finds grounding in her teammates’ perceptions, especially from close friends Heavirland and Tapper.

“For me, having a team of women around who truly know me is invaluable,” Maher says. Tapper, in particular, has profoundly influenced Maher’s self-perception. “Naya has transformed how I view myself and my body.”

It’s fitting that Tapper’s mindset was influenced by Serena Williams, one of her ‘high women,’ and she now shares this perspective with Maher. For U.S. women’s rugby, everything comes full circle.

As a top-four team globally, the pressure to secure the U.S.’s first Olympic rugby medal is immense. The team is confident in their preparation, both mentally and physically.

“We focus on what we can control. We can’t dictate other teams’ actions, but we can control our responses,” says Heavirland, who has worked with Haberl for over a decade. “While the goal of Olympic gold looms large, we concentrate on being good teammates and showing up, letting the outcome follow.”

The ‘High Women Philosophy’

They also keep the broader picture in mind. Beyond the pursuit of medals and social media accolades, the connection displayed on the rugby pitch before sell-out crowds at Stade de France is vital to growing the sport, according to Doyle.

“Of course, we aim to perform well and medal at the Olympics, but a more powerful message is when viewers see our connection and feel our culture,” she says. “We effectively convey the high woman message and share it with the world.”

It’s all interconnected. Tapper believes the team’s recent success is no coincidence, attributing it to their deep cultural roots and high woman philosophy.

“Our authentic connection and culture, which we’ve cultivated, have visibly impacted our performance,” Tapper says. “We believe our foundation—embodied in the high woman philosophy—has positioned us to achieve our goals.”

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