About
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 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 am currently training for the 2010 15’s World Cup. I resumed playing with the US 15’s team this past summer at Nations Cup which was held in Toronto, Canada. The World Cup will take place in England during August of September 2010. If I am selected, this will be my third and likely final 15’s World Cup.
I have had a brilliant athletic career, unlike any other rugby player in the World. My hope is to transition into a career as a media talent which includes, but is not limited to, TV, radio, internet, and print.
