Growing up in Connecticut before moving to Montana during high school, Jen’s introduction to rugby came from an unexpected place: a Lands’ End catalog. While flipping through its pages, she noticed an article about the U.S. Women’s Eagles National Team. Curious about the sport and the possibilities it offered for young female athletes, she became intrigued. What started as a simple magazine feature would eventually shape decades of her life.

When it came time to choose a college, finding a school with a women’s rugby program was a top priority. Jen ultimately attended Colgate College, where she played rugby for four years as a second row and at flanker, developing her skills and passion for the game while competing at a high level.

After graduating from Colgate College, Jen continued her rugby career with Boston Women’s Rugby, where she played for many years and eventually served as club president. During her time in leadership, she helped organize fundraising efforts for the regional finals, which led her to work closely with the Boston Irish Wolfhounds men’s team that would go on to play a major role in her return to rugby.

Jen later continued her playing career with the Charles River Rugby Football Club before retiring from the sport to focus on raising her family. When looking for a way to introduce her son to rugby as he got older, Jen remembered the strong community she had experienced with the Wolfhounds. She enrolled her son in the club’s youth rugby program, reconnecting with the sport that had played such an important role throughout her life.

She initially returned to the rugby community expecting to be just another parent on the sidelines. But before long, the club needed additional support, and Jen was eager to lend a hand. What started as volunteering quickly grew into a much larger role within the organization.

Today, Jen oversees the administrative operations of the youth rugby program, playing a vital role in expanding opportunities for young athletes and helping the organization continue to grow. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, she spent several years as a volunteer coach for young athletes, sharing her knowledge of the game and helping introduce the next generation to the sport she has loved for so much of her life.

From player to club leader, coach, parent, and administrator, Jen’s rugby journey has come full circle. Her dedication and passion continue to make a lasting impact on youth rugby, helping create opportunities for young players to develop both on and off the field, but it doesn’t stop there. 

As Jen became more involved in youth rugby, she recognized a gap in opportunities for girls. While the Wolfhounds offered girls rugby through sixth grade, there were limited options for players who wanted to continue competing in a girls-only environment as they got older. Jen believed that young female athletes deserved a clear pathway to stay in the sport, develop their skills, and grow alongside other girls who shared their passion for rugby.

Driven by that vision, Jen helped launch the Wolfhounds High School Girls team in 2025 and currently serves as the team’s assistant coach. The following year, she expanded those opportunities even further by establishing girls teams for seventh and eighth graders, creating a complete development pathway that allows female athletes to progress through the sport from youth rugby into high school; being one of the first across New England. 

For Jen, the effort extends beyond rugby itself. She believes every girl should have access to opportunities that allow them to grow through sports and gain the confidence that comes from being part of a team.

When asked what the growth of women’s sports means to her, Jen reflected on the impact athletics can have on young athletes’ lives.

“It’s about empowering girls to feel like they can go out into the world and do what they want to do,” she said. “Sports give them the confidence to achieve the things they want to achieve and the belief that they can accomplish them.”

Today, Jen continues to help shape the future of girls rugby in New England, ensuring that the next generation of athletes has the same opportunities that helped shape her own lifelong connection to the game. As she likes to say, “Rugby is the best-kept secret in Greater Boston for kids.”

We are proud to honor Jen Fedin for her years of dedicated volunteering, and the lasting impact she had made for girls rugby. 

Get Involved Today

The Free Jacks are looking for Impact Free Jack nominees from all walks of life and every corner of New England who have the power to transcend boundaries and create a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others. Honorees will be celebrated at each of the Free Jacks’ home games.

This partnership with Massachusetts State Lottery aims to highlight and reward everyday heroes who embody the values of service and community, aligning with the Free Jacks’ mission of making a positive impact both on and off the field.

If you have a colleague, neighbor, friend, or loved one that deserves recognition for their community contributions, please nominate them here.

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