The fastest growing team sport in America is rugby. For two students at Warsaw Community High School, it has become a gateway for opportunities that were once just dreams.
Warsaw seniors Mia Blocher and Raquel “Toro” Muniz Bermudez have both been selected to represent the Midwest region of the United States at an international rugby tour in New Zealand. The tour will take place in June of 2024 and will give the two seniors an opportunity to play against some of the most talented players in the world, all while enhancing their ability to be seen by scouts from universities and club teams.
“When I found out, I got the email and it was really late at night,” Blocher said. “I had to wake my parents up and tell them so we could talk about it.”
“It’s a surreal experience,” Muniz Bermudez said. “I’m still in shock.”
Blocher has been playing the sport for six years, while Munix Bermudez has been playing for three. Both found their way onto the team in unconventional ways. Blocher won a state championship in seventh grade, her first year playing, and continued from there, citing her teammates becoming family as a big reason why. When Muniz Bermudez moved to Warsaw from her home in Mexico, she originally wanted to join the soccer team, but it was full. After seeing a poster for girls rugby in her science class, she went out to practice without knowing much about the sport.
“I showed up and saw people hitting each other and I thought ‘okay, this is something I can do,’” she said with a smile.

    Warsaw seniors Raquel “Toro” Muniz Bermudez (left) and Mia Blocher (right). The pair were selected to represent the Midwest region of the United States at an international rugby tour in New Zealand in June.

While a trip to New Zealand may sound incredible on paper, the costs of traveling around the world are a reality that the girls are facing. Warsaw Rugby is trying to help its players through fundraising in a variety of different ways.
For starters, a GoFundMe is in the process of being set up currently. Muniz Bermudez and her mother have been helping out as well, having already sold 90 dozen homemade tamales with 55 dozen still on the way. The team has already done “Dine to Donate” fundraisers at Texas Roadhouse and Salvatoris with another one coming up at Papa Vinos.
From December 18th through the 21st, 20% of proceeds will go to Warsaw girls rugby when you dine in and show a flyer. The flyer can be screenshotted at the Warsaw Area Rugby Club Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WarsawRugby/.
The team has also received donations from individuals and companies in the area and is still brainstorming different fundraising strategies.
“We’re trying to get these girls’ trips fully funded,” Warsaw rugby coach Trevor Cracknell said. “It’s a big deal to be selected for something like this but it can also be a big hit to the families to try to come up with this money in just six months.”
Cracknell is thrilled about the opportunity his players have in front of them.
“It’s tremendous for them, to be able to have this opportunity to play against top players not just from the United States but around the world as well,” Cracknell said. “What’s so unique about this sport is that there are not a lot of team sports that give you this opportunity to travel the world and play against other teams and countries. Both of these girls will have a great chance of going to college and playing here will increase their chances of playing rugby in college or for a club team as well.”
Along with the games, the two players are excited to see the nature of New Zealand and tour some filming sites from the Lord of the Rings movies.
“These girls have meant so much to this program and the younger players on the team, so I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this than them,” Cracknell said.
Before the duo makes their trip to New Zealand, they will compete alongside the rest of the Lady Tiger team at Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin on May 18th and 19th. Warsaw girls rugby has won three state finals in the last 20 years.