Heather Hale

Nickname: "Heather Hale"
Height/Weight: 5'7", 150 lbs.
Age: 31
Birthplace: Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
Current Team: Atlanta Harlequins
Position: Flyhalf/Fullback
Past Teams: UVA, DC Furies, Auckland Marist
Rugby honors: 00-0 US Women's National Team
International Caps: 23
College: University of Virginia
Years playing rugby: 8
Occupation: "Who knows? Current case clerk at a law firm. Massage therapist, sub, flower delivery, the list goes on (anything to support my rugby habit.)"
Favorite Pre-Game Music: "Something fast. I used to really like Queen!"

Get to Know Heather

How did you get involved in rugby?
"Four years of field hockey were up, one more year for master's degree was bleak and empty without athletic competition or being part of a team. Showed up one day just before my last semester with no clue and fell in love with it that first day."

Other interests:
"Being silly (i.e. dorky), any sort of competition (yeah, I admit it), reading, sailing, anything with your body, yoga! Figuring how to 'tread with a lighter footprint.'"

If I had a million dollars I would...
"Pay off our debts, buy land and create a rugby pitch, train full time, figure out how to keep a bunch of stray dogs warm, fed, and loved (and spayed!), save the world."

Favorite rugby memory:
"Anytime the team really gels I get chills, even in 90 degree weather. Still."

Rugby mentors/inspirations:
"Requesting a brain transplant from Krista McFarren, Beth Fordyce (unparalleled toughness with a pure and great love for the game), Jane Mitchell and Jen Crawford (brilliant). Patty Jervey for helping me turn off my brain and just play - it's an ongoing process." Coaching influences: "Nancy Fitz gave me a card a year before my first invite to a US event expressing confidence in my potential and encouraging me to make it happen. I still have that card. Jen Renne etc. "made" me play for the Furies - the beginning of rugby taking over my life; Karla Leopold put a roof over my head. Aaron for insisting that it's always better to play rugby if you can rather than train. And well, duh, Kathy Flores and Candi Orsini."

Favorite Saying:
"I say, if your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously reexamine your life." - Calvin and Hobbes
"Yoga will keep you and your body young."