Karameli Fa'ae'e Named Women's Rugby Head Coach

Karameli Fa'ae'e Named Women's Rugby Head Coach

5/5/2026

Karameli Fa’ae’e has been named the second head coach of the Princeton University women’s rugby team at the varsity level, as announced by Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack ’00.

Fa’ae’e joins the Tigers after spending 2025-26 as an assistant coach at Brown and serves as an assistant coach of the USA U-23 team.

“We are excited to have Karameli join the Princeton Women’s Rugby program and serve as its next head coach,” said Mack. “She is one of the bright young coaches in the sport, combining her own passion for rugby as a player with a keen ability to teach and coach the game. She has a demonstrated ability to coach at the collegiate, international and professional ranks and has resonated with her players at every level. There is no doubt that she will build a competitive foundation for success on and off the pitch for our student-athletes.”

Prior to Brown, Fa’ae’e was an assistant coach for the New York Athletic Club Rugby team, which plays in the American Rugby Premiership, the highest level of rugby competition in the United States. Fa’ae’e also served as the head coach of the New York Locals of the Premier Rugby Sevens League and Director of Rugby at the Roots Rugby Family in New York.

“I want to acknowledge God, my family and the community who have supported and shaped me into the leader I am today,” said Fa’ae’e. “I am deeply honored to accept the opportunity to serve as Head Coach of the Women's Rugby program at Princeton University. I look forward to building an athletic environment that reflects the same standard of excellence found in its academic mission. My commitment is to cultivate excellence in performance, integrity in action, and a shared dedication to something greater than ourselves.”

In 2023 she served as the head coach of the New York Rugby Club in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and was an assistant with the WPL All-Star Team. During the WXV USA Women’s Eagles South African Tour of 2023, Fa’ae’e worked as an intern coach.

In 2022, Fa’ae’e was the head coach of Life West in the WPL. Fa'ae'e was the first woman to be part of a U.S. men’s professional rugby team coaching staff when she accepted an assistant coaching role in Major League Rugby (MLR) with Rugby New York in 2019.

Fa’ae’e’s start in coaching came in 2019, when she was an assistant coach of the Jamaica Lady Crocs and a manager of the USA Rugby Women’s National Team in 2019.

Fa’ae’e had a storied career as a player, captaining the U.S. Women’s National team in 2017, her final of three years with the team. Fa’ae’e also represented Samoa and New Zealand in Rugby League before moving to the U.S. in 2014.

What They’re Saying

"Karameli Fa’ae’e, is one of the most gifted coaches in the women's game. Her experience and technical knowledge are matched only by her unabashed passion for the game. She cares not only that her players learn the game but that they play with joy and appreciation. She's been a remarkable colleague to me, constantly reigniting my love for the game and reminding me of all the ways I can be a better coach."

Kerri Heffernan | Chair, Women's Rugby Coaches and Referees Association | Vice President, US Women's Rugby Foundation

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Karameli Fa’ae'e to Princeton. Karameli is one of the most decorated and versatile coaches in the game — a former USA captain who led the Eagles to their first semifinal in 20 years at the 2017 World Cup, a Women’s Premier League champion as both player and coach, and a true trailblazer coaching men’s and women’s pro rugby. I’ve looked up to her since we were teammates years ago with NYC and USA, and she brings vision, presence, and experience that are extraordinarily rare. I believe Princeton deserves someone exceptional, and she is exactly that. Our team just delivered our first-ever winning season as a varsity program, and I can’t wait for Karameli and our incredible student-athletes to take it to the next level. The future of Princeton Rugby is very, very bright. Go Tigers!"

Lauren Rhode ‘12 *16 | Former Princeton Assistant Coach | Former USA Eagle

“It is rare to find a coach who can match their level of knowledge with their level of care and still always wanting to be better. Karameli is an excellent coach for any program because she will work so hard for the players and the program and Princeton is beyond lucky to have found this amazing person.”

Kyle Granby | Iona Men’s Rugby Head Coach

“Karameli has truly found a way to combine expertise, compassion, and enjoyment into the sport of rugby. I have no doubt she will be a true ambassador for the Tigers and will continue to grow into a new community she can share her joy with. Karameli's smile will light up a room so be sure to carry your shades when she's nearby!”

Derek Lipscomb | Empire’s Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator & ROOTS Rugby Board Member

“Karameli is a disciplined leader with a deep commitment to service. She brings a relentless focus on effort, team unity, and character development, with a gift for simplifying complex strategies and inspiring bravery in her players. Everywhere she goes, she builds a team-first culture that values hard work as the truest form of talent. Princeton women’s rugby and Karameli are truly fortunate to have found each other. I see incredible things ahead as Coach K steps into the head coach role.”

Tiana Granby | New York Women’s Rugby Head Coach