Amie Tesler spent her professional career in architecture, construction and commercial real estate. She’s an expert in marketing and business development, working around the world from the UK to Dubai.
Closer to home she brought her expertise to Westport’s Planning & Zoning Commission, serving from 2019 to ’23.
These days, Tesler builds and oversees something new. But it has little to do with a physical project.
Amie Tesler
The 10-year local resident is vice president of strategy and development for the New York Exiles. The Mount Vernon-based semi-professional team is one of 6 in the Women’s Elite Rugby league.
Their second season begins in May.
Tesler is not a rugby player. (Her one foray onto the field taught her how tough and fast the sport — and the women who play it — are.)
But she is all in on the values women’s rugby embraces: independence, inclusivity, confidence, teamwork, trust, respect, empowerment, belonging, courage and camaraderie.
And she is drawn to the team’s name and crest — a nod to the Statue of Liberty, nicknamed the “Mother of Exiles.”
The team’s website notes that the iconic statue “celebrates the freedom of the oppressed, welcoming those who seek opportunity and to define a new community.”
The Exiles “embody the grit, determination and resilience of the city, and put it on the field.”
The hooded figures represents Ellis Island as both a “journey to a new life” and “the boldness to step out in a sport that is often seen exiled in mainstream sport culture.” The torch stands for New York’s embrace of liberty.
Women’s rugby is, Tesler says, “unapologetically authentic.” It welcomes women “of all sizes and statures. They get on the pitch, and play hard for 80 minutes, as themselves.”
The Exiles’ board of directors is passionate about the sport, and its possibilities. They believe the time is right to move it forward — and monetize it.
That task is now in Tesler’s hands.
Though she did not play rugby, the Mystic native has a sports background. At the University of Connecticut — where basketball was king — a female friend played rugby with men.
“I thought she’d die,” Tesler recalls. “It’s a contact sport, and they play without pads.”
But the woman survived, found her joy — and still plays.
Tesler thought about that when she heard of the Exiles’ opportunity.
“I’m very big on giving back,” she says. “I like the challenge of getting people to the games, and watching livestreams.”
New York Exiles excitement.
Is women’s rugby a hard sell, to fans and partnerships?
“Everything is,” Tesler counters. “Selling takes persistence and passion. But if you believe in the brand, tell its story, and follow up, you’ll get a second meeting.”
She is impressed with the passion of the Exiles’ players. She envisions explosive growth for women’s rugby. She is glad to be in on the league’s ground floor.
“It’s so inclusive,” Tesler reiterates. “This is new in the US. It’s women-led. And it’s something that will change women’s sports in this country.”
That change can be seen right here, in Tesler’s town. Staples High School has a thriving — and quickly growing — girls rugby team. Girls can participate in the Westport PAL youth program too.
Will they — and many male players — become New York Exiles fans?
Amie Tesler is helping build it. And then they will come.
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Just when I think I’m out (they PULL me back in).