Shahzoda Nasimjonova

Shahzoda's rugby journey began in the 8th grade in Buffalo, New York, playing for City Honors WRFC, where she took on several positions and served as team co-captain during her senior year. She stayed closely involved in the sport throughout high school, traveling with select sides and supporting local youth rugby events, and joined Queen City 7s after graduating.

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At the University of Rochester, Shahzoda quickly moved into leadership, serving as the women's team treasurer for four years and co-captain for two, while also playing on the Upstate New York Collegiate Rugby Conference all-star 7s team. After graduating, she became the program's assistant coach and will take over as head coach this spring. She also leads the university's men's rugby program, which she took over as a sophomore with just six players and has since grown to more than 30, entering her third year and sixth season as head coach.

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Shahzoda earned her referee certification and began officiating more seriously this past fall. She currently works full-time in neurophysiology research at the University of Rochester Medical Center and will begin a PhD program in neuroscience this fall.