NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Norwich University women's rugby is welcoming a familiar face back to the pitch as former Cadet captain and four-year standout Octavia Crawford '26 returns to the program as a guest coach and kicking specialist for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Crawford's return provides the Cadets with more than an experienced rugby mind during preseason. As a veteran of the program who understands the culture, expectations and traditions of the program firsthand, her presence brings an important connection between the program's past and its future while helping establish the team's culture and morale from day one.
"It is very exciting to welcome Octavia Crawford as our guest coach and kicking specialist to kick off the 2026-27 season," said Norwich head coach Baylee Annis. "Octavia's experience in high performance settings with the New England U23 Selects and NCR All-Stars during her time at Norwich University is a key asset, particularly with the backline and kickers. Her energy and investment in the growth of the program will set the tone for a stellar season."
Crawford was a four-year member of the Norwich women's rugby program, graduating in 2026 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. During her senior campaign, she served as team captain and continued to establish herself as one of the program's premier specialists as the team's starting kicker.
Her decorated Norwich career included Rugby Northeast All-Conference First Team honors in the fall of 2025, a Rugby Northeast All-Conference selection in the spring of 2025 and assistant captaincy during the spring 2025 season. Crawford was also the recipient of the Chris Munn Memorial Rugby Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year.
Beyond the Norwich campus, Crawford gained valuable high-performance experience competing against some of the region's top players. She was selected to the Northeastern U23 team (NE Independents) in the summer of 2024 before earning a spot on the NCR All-Stars roster for the 2026 tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.
Now, Crawford will bring that experience back to the Cadets, working primarily with the team's kickers and backline while helping the next generation of Norwich players build the skills and confidence needed to carry the program forward.
"I was happily surprised when Coach Baylee asked me to bring my skills back for preseason!" said Crawford. "I'm excited to give back to Norwich women's rugby in such an involved way. I'm ready to bring my specialty in kicking and backline attack to a new, fresh team that will be able to build on what they learn after preseason, and support the start of new and continuing rugby careers for the players following in the footsteps of incredible alumni."
For Crawford, the opportunity to return to Norwich is about more than rugby. Her four years in the program gave her a lasting connection to a community that extends well beyond the field, making her return as a coach, a natural continuation of the role the program has played in her life.
"Norwich rugby was always, and continues to be more than just a sports team," Crawford said. "It's a huge and incredibly supportive community that extends far beyond campus and what a gift it is to be a part of something like that. I'm most excited to see Norwich rugby transform the lives and characters of the players, just like it did mine. Give blood, play rugby!"
Crawford's return also comes at an important point in her own professional journey. Following preseason, she will begin her career in nursing after completing her bachelor's degree at Norwich.
As the Cadets prepare for the 2026-27 campaign, having a former captain and accomplished alumna back within the program gives Norwich an opportunity to immediately reinforce the values that have helped define NUWRFC while providing current players with a mentor who has so recently lived the same experience they are beginning.
With Crawford's expertise, energy, and investment in the next generation of Cadets, Norwich women's rugby enters preseason with a familiar voice helping set the standard for the season ahead.
