The Cleveland Fusion women’s tackle football team is proud to announce a new formal partnership with the Cleveland Iron Maidens Women’s Rugby Football team starting this 2019 preseason. These two historic franchises are joining forces to promote and grow women’s professional sports in Northeast Ohio, raise awareness of both sports, and expand opportunities for women to compete in both rugby and football at high levels. The teams will train together on the field and at the Fusion’s new dedicated strength and conditioning facility, utilizing coaches from both teams. Marketing teams from both entities will work together to recruit players, engage in community outreach, and further expand local fan bases for full contact American football and rugby.

Beginning with the 2019 spring season, rugby-football doubleheaders will be played with the Iron Maidens headlining the early game and the Fusion taking the field at 7 pm. Both teams are thrilled to combine their resources to continue their joint mission of becoming dominant teams in their respective leagues, while bringing accessible, family-friendly game experiences to players and fans throughout Northeast Ohio.