Welcome Coach Heidi!
We are thrilled to welcome Heidi Whitman as the new Director of Rugby for the Loggers Girl’s Program. Heidi brings years of experience both as a player (and former Logger) and as a coach. Below is a bit about Heid as well as her vision for the program.
Heidi Whitman comes to us with 25 years of international rugby playing and coaching experience. Coach Heidi has a rugby philosophy that she strives to impart to all her players, of empowerment and respect for self and others. She has seen time and time again the magical moment when a girl discovers just how strong she can be and when she gains the quiet confidence of belief in her own power.
Coach Heidi started playing rugby in 1997 at Whitman College where she became a player-coach. After college she played with the Seattle RFC women's team, and competed with the representative sides Pac Coast Grizzlies, West Mustangs, and our own PNRFU LOGGERS. Coach Heidi advanced to the USA national squad Eagle team, playing in both the 7s and 15s squad from 2003-2009. Internationally, she played in New Zealand for three years, including on the representative side for Wellington.
In 2004, Coach Heidi helped stand up the University of Washington Women's side, coaching for its inaugural two seasons. Coach Heidi has continued to spread her love of the game through coaching, serving as head coach of various women’s sides, high school, and middle school teams. She was the Tennessee TriStars rep side head coach 2018-2020, leading the team to two consecutive Regional Combined Tournament (RCT) championship trophies. Coach Heidi currently serves as Seattle Viking Youth RFC girls program head coach.
Heidi’s Vision for the Loggers Girl’s Program:
The Loggers girls and women's program will provide a pathway for players to be seen and evaluated by prospective college programs and national team coaches. The Loggers will learn and play at the next competitive level, through development camps, traveling teams, and coach mentorships.
Inclusive of our focus on U14-U18, under Heidi’s guidance, we look to add an U23 squad to our mix of programming. This added focus will help improve identification and development especially those players that may not start playing rugby until after high school or who may not be playing rugby for a top tier college program.
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