San Diego Legion Expands Women’s Rugby and Community Development with Haley Harris and Olivia Soares

San Diego, CA – The San Diego Legion continues its commitment to growing the sport of rugby by welcoming Haley Harris and Olivia Soares, two dedicated leaders with a passion for expanding the game. As key members of Legion’s community initiatives, Harris and Soares will focus on increasing rugby’s accessibility and fostering the next generation of players, particularly among women and girls in the San Diego area.

Haley Harris: Expanding Opportunities for Women and Girls in Rugby
A San Diego native, Haley Harris brings a lifetime of rugby experience to the Legion. She started playing at a young age within the same youth programs she now seeks to grow. Harris has competed at the highest levels of the sport, including representing the U.S. as a High School All-American at the 2017 CANAM Games in Ottawa, Canada, and playing internationally at the Paris World Games with Atlantis. She also competed in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with the San Diego Surfers and played NCAA Division I rugby for Mount St. Mary’s University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and an MBA with a concentration in management.

Beyond playing, Harris has been a dedicated coach since her teenage years, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the University of Wyoming Men’s Rugby team. As Legion’s Rugby Development Officer and Academy Coach for Women’s and Girls’ Rugby, she is focused on expanding opportunities for female athletes, ensuring rugby is more accessible, and fostering the next generation of players in San Diego.

Olivia Soares: Driving Community Engagement
Born and raised in Northern California, Olivia Soares has been passionate about rugby since high school. She played throughout her teenage years before attending San Diego State University (SDSU), where she earned a degree in Hospitality Management with a Minor in Leadership. Seeing a gap in opportunities for women’s rugby, Soares took the initiative to establish the SDSU Women’s Rugby Club, transforming it into a competitive program that continues to thrive.

Following her collegiate career, Soares dedicated herself to the sport’s development, working with Southern California Youth Rugby and Imagine Rugby to expand rugby’s reach across the region. Now, as a key figure in Legion’s community outreach, she is committed to strengthening connections with local communities, creating inclusive opportunities for players of all ages, and fostering a welcoming environment where athletes can develop their skills and experience the camaraderie that defines rugby.

A Shared Mission to Grow the Game
Together, Harris and Soares are leading Legion’s charge to grow rugby at all levels, with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and youth development. Their combined experience as players, coaches, and advocates for the sport positions them as key figures in shaping the future of rugby in Southern California.

“The work Haley and Olivia are doing is instrumental to our mission of making rugby accessible to all,” said David Haigh, CEO of the San Diego Legion. “Their leadership and passion for the game will continue to strengthen our community programs and ensure the next generation of rugby players has the opportunity to thrive.”

For more information on San Diego Legion’s community programs and initiatives, visit SDLEGION.COM or follow @SDLegion on social media.