Hi, I’m Phaidra Knight. I’m considered one of the best rugby players in the world. Here’s my story…

I was born July 4, 1974 in Milledgeville, Georgia.  I was raised, with my sister, Tammy, by my parents, Earl and Mary, on a small farm in the rural town of Irwinton, Georgia

I started playing organized basketball when I was 5 years old.  I worked my way up in the ranks and while in high school was recognized as a 3 time All-Regional player.  During the off season, I played varsity tennis.  I was recruited by several colleges to play basketball, but instead I chose to accept an academic scholarship to Alabama State University and focus on my studies.

In college, I became interested in body building and entered my first show when I was 20 years old.  I competed for 2 years and won 1st and 2nd place awards in various shows.  At this point in my life, I realized that while I loved lifting weights and proper nutrition, I was not truly passionate about competitive body building.

It wasn’t until my first year of law school at the University of Wisconsin that I discovered rugby.  I was invited, by chance, out to a club team practice and the rest, as they say, is history.  My official rugby career began in the Spring of 1997 for the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Club.  The first position I played was Wing, and later moved to Inside Center.  After 1 year of playing, I suffered a severe ankle dislocation and fracture.  I was told by her doctor at this time that she could be looking at an early retirement.  I made it her mission to return to the pitch as soon as possible and made my debut 5 months later in a the US 15’s All Star tournament.  At the close of this tournament, I received my first US National Team Camp invite.

I received my first international cap with the US Team in August 1999 against Canada at the Lake Placid Can-Am Tournament.  Later that fall, I toured with the US Team to New Zealand to play the Black Ferns.  Over the course of 1999-2002, I toured Canada and Europe with the US as well.  In the spring of 2002, I played in the 2002 World Cup held in Barcelona, Spain.  At the conclusion of the event, I was named to the All World XV’s Team and traveled to New Zealand to play the World Champion Black Ferns in 2 matches.  During the second showdown, I made history by being the first person to score twice in a single match against the Black Ferns.  No one has done so since.

In August 2006, I played in my second 15’s World Cup which was held in Edmonton, Canada.   I was honored again as one of the 15 best players in the World.  This World Cup was especially memorable for me since I incurred an injury that prevented me from being able to run and train under normal circumstances in the months leading up to the big event.  I fractured my left foot and had a pin inserted in hopes of a quick recovery.  I immediately started deep water pool running as a way to train and maintain my cardiovascular fitness. I also continued to lift weights as much as I could.  One week prior to World Cup, x-rays showed that I still had a significant fracture in my foot despite the pin.  I decided to play regardless and would only stop if my injury became too painful to continue.  Fortunately, I was able to play with great success.

I changed my focus after the 2006 World Cup to 7’s.  In November of 2006, I represented the US by playing in Dubai.  Although I had already debuted with the US 7’s team in Barbados a year before, I considered Dubai as the official start to my US 7’s career.

I resumed playing with the US 15’s team in the summer of 2010 at Nations Cup which was held in Toronto, Canada. I made the squad and in August/September of 2010 I participated in my third World Cup in England. Our squad was a group of some of the most dynamic, strong, and inspirational women I have ever had the chance to play with.  I am thankful and blessed to have been part of such an amazing team!

I have since represented the US in other international tournaments including Hong Kong 7’s, San Diego 7’s, Amsterdam 7’s, and the Bahamas World Cup Qualifier.

I have had a brilliant athletic career, unlike any other rugby player in the World and am very lucky to have been able to play this amazing sport for 10+ years.  I continue to be active in the Rugby community and with so many talented young players out there; I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this sport, especially in the women’s game.

As for now, I have given in to my growing love of Crossfit and have been training for just under a year in this type of athletic setting. I competed in the 2011 Crossfit Games, yet, was just a couple of places shy of making it to Nationals.  I continue to train and focus on being a strong, flexible, and healthy athlete.

In addition to my full time job as an athlete, I also am pursuing a career as a media talent and business entrepreneur.