Chicago Tempest
Women's rugby union club in Chicago, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chicago Tempest are an American semi-professional women's rugby union team based in Chicago, Illinois. The team was founded in 2025 and is scheduled to play in the inaugural Women's Elite Rugby season.[1][2]
| |
| Founded | January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Ground | Benedictine University |
| Coach | Kristin Zdanczewicz |
| Captain | Ilene Andrade |
| League | Women's Elite Rugby |
| 2025 | 6th |
History
The Chicago Tempest team name references the extreme weather often experienced in the Windy City.[3] The Tempest's "plan to bring destruction, power, and unyielding challenge on the pitch and to their opponents. As the winters test the spirit of Chicagoeans but never break their will, the team reflects a thunderous storm and reckoning force."[3] The team crest features a storm in its momentum above the iconic Willis Tower tied together with the colors of Lightning Yellow and Tempest Gray.[3]
Bryan Colbridge was appointed to be Chicago Tempest's first head coach.[4] He has played and coached in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States for over 15 years.[4] He has coached at high school, collegiate and senior level rugby for women and men.[4] Anabel Diaz, Emma Farnan, Cienna Jordan, Betty Nguyen, and Kadie Sanford were named as foundational players for the team.[5] The home games for their inaugural season were played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.[6] In 2026, home matches will be at the football stadium at Benedictine University.[7]
Kristin Zdanczewicz was named as head coach for 2026, she previously served as acting head coach for the Tempest's during part of the 2025 season.[8]
Players
Current squad
The Chicago Tempest squad for the 2025 Women's Elite Rugby season is:[9]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
- Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
