WILMINGTON, North Carolina — U.S. Army Spc. Amber Payne, center, a petroleum supply specialist, 59th Quartermaster Company, Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, powers through opposing players during the inaugural Women’s Rugby Championship in Wilmington, North Carolina. Payne and the All-Army Women’s Rugby went undefeated and won the gold medal. (Photo courtesy of Spc. Amber Payne)
By Sgt. James Geelen
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
WILMINGTON, North Carolina — U.S. Army Spc. Amber Payne, (3), a petroleum supply specialist, 59th Quartermaster Company, Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, tackles an Air Force player during the inaugural Women’s Rugby Championship in Wilmington, North Carolina. Payne and the All-Army Women’s Rugby went undefeated and won the gold medal. (Photo courtesy of Spc. Amber Payne)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Athletes from all over the United States travel to Colorado Springs every year to train at the high altitude and the Olympic Training Center.
For U.S. Army Spc. Amber Payne, a petroleum supply specialist, 59th Quartermaster Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, being stationed here has helped her with her rugby career. Payne was a starter at the All-Army Women’s Rugby Team, as a forward prop, that recently won a gold medal at the inaugural Women’s Rugby Championship in Wilmington, North Carolina.
“Being on this team took precedence over everything else, once I found out that my application was chosen,” Payne said. “Obviously I still had my Soldier duties and work to take care of, but my mind was rugby, rugby, rugby. I wanted to succeed and show my potential and be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Payne has been playing rugby since she was 14 years old, growing up in Bremerton, Washington.
“I had a three year hiatus from playing when I joined the Army,” Payne said. “I finally found a team to play on after I moved to Fort Carson. I’m trying to stay consistent with my training and being prepared to play whenever the opportunity arises.”
Payne’s hard work and dedication have been noticed by her leaders.
“She’s definitely a role model to the other Soldiers,” said 1st Sgt. Hector Rodriguezpabon, first sergeant, 59th QM, 68th CSSB, 4th SB, 4th Inf. Div. “She balanced her time between being a petroleum specialist and practicing rugby almost every day in preparation for the tournament. This puts her ahead of her peers for a leadership role.”
For the first-ranked Army, the experience left the team excited, but also aware of the work involved in getting to this point.
WILMINGTON, North Carolina — U.S. Army Spc. Amber Payne, (3), a petroleum supply specialist, 59th Quartermaster Company, Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, takes a team photo in June 2019, after being selected for the first All-Army Women’s Rugby Team at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Payne was selected as a starter for the gold medal winning team. (Photo courtesy of Spc. Amber Payne)
“It’s great, especially since this is our first-ever women’s rugby competition with Armed Forces Sports,” Payne said. “I trained hard and prepared myself the best way I knew. The coach told us her expectations, including conditioning. The team worked hard at Fort Bragg (North Carolina), doing two-a-days, yoga classes, and aqua-spin classes.”
The three-day tournament was fought among all five service branches.
“We scored 158 points over the course of those three days and only gave up 14 points,” Payne said. “Being a part of this team is a dream come true. I’ve learned so much as a player and a teammate from the women I was surrounded by. For such a short time they made a big impact on me.”
Payne has displayed that maturity since returning to Fort Carson.
“Payne has a lot of potential as a Soldier,” Rodriguezpabon said. “She got back from the tournament and was sent to Fort Knox (Kentucky), to support a mission and didn’t complain about it at all. The 59th QM is definitely happy and honored to have her in our formation. We’re looking forward to seeing her develop as a Soldier and as an athlete.”