When the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team clutched bronze in Paris last week, they earned their first ever Olympic medal in history. The thrilling victory over powerhouse Australia to secure the medal is just one win ushering in a new era for the women’s sport.  

Whitefish native Nicole Heavirland traveled to Paris as a reserve for the Olympic team and said, “it was unreal. The competition, the stadium, a bronze medal – the whole experience has been amazing.” 

The medal is one step toward the goal of “putting women’s rugby on the map in America even more. It’s a huge leverage to grow the sport, and we’ve received nothing but support,” Heavirland said. 

“When a little girl or boy is asked ‘what do you want to play,’ and for them to say rugby, we're getting closer to that goal of inspiring young generations,” Heavirland said.  

Heavirland’s long journey in the sport started in 2011 with the Black & Blue Flathead rugby team. 

In Tokyo 2020, Heavirland was co-captain of the Olympic sevens team. She appeared in all six matches for the U.S., started in five matches, finishing the tournament with 22 points converting on 11 of 13 tries. The team finished sixth.

In the 2016 Rio Olympics, Heavirland traveled as an alternate and the team finished fifth. 

Now that her third Olympic competition is over, Heavirland said she is “just enjoying the Olympics while keeping up with workouts.” 

“I’m staying until the closing on Aug. 11. It’s great meeting athletes from the U.S. and other countries, and I’m so thankful to have my family and friends here. They all had tickets for Tokyo, but obviously couldn’t make it because of Covid, so for them to be able to make it here with me has been beyond special,” Heavirland said.  

Heavirland has been documenting her experience on social media, which plays a role in inspiring the next generation of young women to take up the sport. 

Dubbing the slogan “beast, beauty, brains,” teammate llona Maher is a force on the field as well as an advocate for body positivity on social media.  

Similarly, Heavirland boasts strength on social media. She almost defeated retired Philadelphia Eagles NFL football player Jason Kelce in an arm wrestle challenge in a video she shared July 28 on her Instagram page captioned with “@jasonkelce, holding on to that table a little bit?” 

“I got to present a jersey that the whole team had signed to Jason Kelce. And after, I randomly asked... ‘Hey, wanna arm wrestle?’ and he was so into it. He said, ‘Let’s go find a table!’” Heavirland said.  

    U.S. rugby player Nicole Heavirland is joined by family and friends in Paris for the Olympics. (Photo provided)