ABOUT NAYA
Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Naya Tapper has played rugby professionally since 2016. After earning All-American track and field honors in high school, she began her rugby career at UNC-Chapel Hill where she starred from 2012-2016, while also receiving her bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science and fluency in Spanish.
As a professional, Naya is currently an Olympian and Co-Captain of the USA Women’s Rugby team, training full time to pursue her 2nd Olympics in Paris. She has become the All-Time leading try scorer for USA Women’s Eagles as well as the first women in USA Rugby 7’s history to score 100 tries. Highlights of her career include participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 2 Rugby 7’s World cups, and one Rugby 15’s World cup. She was also recognized by Sports Center for her #1 spot on their Top 10 and was featured on Project Runway for their Olympic episode.
Off the field, Naya is an influencer, public speaker, and a beacon of her community. She has spoken in Panels for KPMG, United, and Team USA about her journey as an Olympic athlete and the growth and application of her leadership skills. She has guest coached for Princeton University Women’s Team, Rhinos Academy Youth Players, and Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR) to improve her coaching skills while also giving back to the rugby community through the youth. Naya created The Naya Tapper Scholarship in partnership with the OMBAC youth rugby club to provide financial assistance to those in need in the San Diego area and is going on year 2 with the scholarship.
TOKYO
2020
OLYMPIC
GAMES
OFF THE PITCH
Naya’s infectious personality has afforded her the privilege of working in many different spaces off the rugby pitch. Naya has appeared on several cross-over programs and outlets including WCNC Charlotte and Bravo’s Project Runway. She has become an influencer, using her platform to engage with her supporters through giveaways, scholarships, and tournament updates. Naya has also lent her voice to corporate and non-profit organizations, sharing her Olympic journey and how leadership has played a big role in her success on the pitch. In her community, Naya engages through guest coaching for teams like Princeton University, connecting with youth rugby players around the world, and putting on camps in the US to help spread rugby around the world.
THE NAYA TAPPER SCHOLARSHIP
The Naya Tapper Scholarship is in partnership with the OMBAC Youth rugby organization in San Diego, CA. We provide youth rugby players and their families with financial assistance to allow them to try/pursue rugby without worry of financial barriers.
NAYAONFIYA MERCH
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Naya In Action
CONTACT NAYA
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