Minot defenders join U.S. Air Force Rugby Team Published April 17, 2020 By 1st Lt. Katie Mueller and Capt. Michelle Sierra-Kwandham Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs GLENDALE, Colo. -- The United States Air Force men’s and women’s rugby teams gathered in Glendale, Colorado in March for what was supposed to be a historic two week tournament named The Australia, New Zealand, United States Shield, where the United States Air Force would battle the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force rugby teams. Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, in favor of all of the teams’ health and safety, the tournament was canceled. The tournament took two years of work and collaboration to plan what was projected to be the largest event ever hosted by the U.S. Air Force Rugby Team. This is the first time this tournament was to be held in America as well as to include a women's competition portion. The players and staff were set to play at Infinity Park. The team leadership had to act quickly to dismantle the event and get more than 140 players and staff home to more than five different countries. “The team was really excited to be here,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Jansen, U.S. Air Force Women’s Rugby Team officer in charge. We had camp in January and everyone had worked so hard to get here. We were all disappointed that it was canceled.” Some of the players have played for more than 10 years and competed together before, and some were meeting for the very first time. The staff selected players stationed at Air Force bases around the world, and two of the U.S. women’s players are from the same base. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jena White, 5th Security Forces Squadron response force member assigned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, began playing in South Grenville, North Carolina two years ago. After getting assigned to Minot AFB she met U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Agnello, 5th SFS response force member. After working together and bonding over their mutual love of sports, White convinced Agnello to try rugby and apply for the Air Force team. “Jena is extremely skilled at [rugby], she has played for a while,” said Agnello. “She was already on the Air Force team so I guess you could say she recruited me to come try it out. I’m definitely going to grow more into it and stick with it.” Despite the tournament being canceled, Agnello remained committed to staying fit and learning how to play rugby so she wouldn’t miss future events. As of April, all further Air Force sporting events have been canceled for the remainder of the fiscal year. “Rugby is just a unique sport, from how players bond together on and off the field even [to bonding] with the opposing team,” said White. ”It’s truly its own sport… There’s something about the camaraderie in this sport that’s not like any other. I’ve always wanted to play and finally found a team close to where I lived.” Even though White and Agnello are the youngest two players on the team, they have dreams beyond playing on the team during their Air Force careers. “My Air Force goal is to excel in anything I participate in, such as sniper school,” said Agnello. ”I want to earn my degree in criminal law, victimology or behavior analysis in hopes of commissioning.” White mentioned her aspirations to be in Special Operations someday as well as continuing on her rugby journey. “I want to better the ones that I play with and someday play at the Olympics for the USA [national team],” White said. The team goes beyond the 15 players on the field in rugby. Coaches, fans, friends, and families all come together to support the players. “I’d say my biggest fan is my whole family, no matter where they are, they all are always cheering me on and supporting me,” White said. “My favorite rugby memory is the first game my dad was ever able to come to and I scored that day. I loved how proud he was even though he knew little about the sport.” Agnello didn’t know much about rugby prior to this tournament. However, she has an athletic background. “I’m an all-around athlete so I’ve played just about everything, mainly basketball and softball,” said Agnello. ”I really enjoy more contact sports such as football, wrestling and, of course, rugby.” Agnello and White both got a taste of international rugby camaraderie and traditions at this tournament. Even though the tournament was canceled White reflected on the memories with teammates and new friends. “I’m excited to get to know the ladies I play with and the game more,” said White. “It’s always a good time with them and being a younger player, I always learn something from just being around them. It’s always awesome to see where different teams come from as well, especially when they’re from different countries.”