Bermudian rugby standout Nisaiah Berkeley and her Stripes teammates were left celebrating in Georgia after clinching the Women’s All-Star Championship XVs title.
In a high-intensity assembly of collegiate talent at Silverbacks Park, the Stripes navigated a challenging round-robin schedule to secure the hardware. The tournament featured four elite regional sides—the Hawks, Bison, Stars, and Stripes—competing in 40-minute matches designed to showcase the premier talent in the National Collegiate Rugby system.
Berkeley, an Exercise Science student at Wheeling University and a national championship winner with the Cardinals, was an integral part of a Stripes unit that displayed both attacking flair and defensive grit. The champions got their campaign off to a flyer, recording a convincing 14 - 10 victory over the Hawks to set the pace at the top of the table.
The next match saw the Stripes overcome the Bison team 24 - 12
With the title on the line in their final fixture, the Stripes faced a stern test against the Stars. In what many thought would be a tightly contested battle, Berkeley’s side held their nerve to secure a 28 - 12 win, ensuring they finished the tournament undefeated and as clear winners of the inaugural XVs showcase.
For Berkeley, the victory adds another prestigious title to an already glittering collegiate resume. Having been a key figure in Wheeling’s undefeated run to a national 15s title last autumn, her selection and subsequent success at the All-Star event further cements her reputation as one of the most promising Bermudian athletes currently competing in the United States.
