Women's Rugby 

SVC Women's Rugby Player Is First Ever To Make North East All-Stars Team

BENNINGTON, Vt. - Amber "Bunny" Coutermash, a rising sophomore from Westport, CT made the final cut and has become Southern Vermont College's first rugby player to make the North East All-Stars.

"This is a huge accomplishment for us," said SVC's head rugby coach, Jeremiah Madison. "It brings more exposure to the team and gives more experience to Amber. This should elevate her game and, in turn, elevate the whole team's game."

The North East Union is one of seven territorial unions that are a part of USA Rugby. It includes teams from all over New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as well as a few teams from other neighboring states. 

Coutermash was recommended by her college coach for the All-Vermont team along with two fellow teammates. On April 26, Coutermash attended a tournament at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst campus where she competed against other teams from the New England Rugby Football Union. This tournament served as a selection vehicle for players to try out for the All-North East team and Coutermash was the only player from Vermont to get invited to the tryout. Although she primarily plays inside center for SVC, Coutermash played prop for the tryouts and was a standout due to her technical precision at the position, massive strength, and her aggression on defense.

Coutermash, along with 39 other girls from all over the northeast, attended a tryout in Albany, NY where they played the Albany Women's team. Coutermash was one of 22 who made the cuts. She played prop in these games as well.

"The hardest thing about making this team is that my fitness is not at the same level as many of the girls. However, knowing that that is my weakness, I worked on it ahead of time," said Coutermash. She recommends that any other person aspiring to play at a higher level sets goals and is determined to reach them. "If you really want something bad enough, you will achieve it. And, I guess, never give up."

Coutermash has been playing rugby for five years. She was a founding member of her high school team and has played on several all-star teams including the USA Under-19 team. She attributes most of her success to her high school rugby coach, Ray Peterson, and claims he is more than a coach - he is a true friend. The best part of making these teams is that it exposes her to different styles of rugby and she gets to make new friends all over the country.  "Rugby is such a huge part of my life and when given the opportunity to play at such high levels and learn, there really isn't anything more that I could ask for!" she added with enthusiasm.

"Amber was a tremendous addition to our team this year. Her effort and ability elevated the rest of the girls to playing better. She is a wonderful young woman and it has been my pleasure to be her coach," stated Madison.

Coutermash's next game on her way to making the USA Under-23 team is in Boston against the Beantown Women on June 7 at 1 p.m. She will then play again in Pittsburgh, PA at the National U-23 tournament where her team will take on all-star teams from other regions of the USA.