Wurst comes to the Royals with nearly 15 years of coaching experience that spans across youth, college, and professional programs. Collegiately, Wurst has spent time at the University of Colorado, the University of Minnesota, Elon University, the University of South Carolina as a head rugby coach. At the professional level, she served as the national team coach for Lao Rugby Federation, and was the youth coach and program manager for Shannon Rugby Football Club in Limerick Ireland. Wurst has also had an array of positions with USA Rugby. After starting out as the game development officer from 2005-2007, she would become the youth development manager from 2007-2009. Currently, she is the coaching course leader and world rugby coach educator, a role she has held since 2008. Wurst also works a broadcast talent and event management for USA Rugby after acting as the communications officer for a short stint in 2010.
Some of Wurst’s competitive sport experience includes the Munster Women’s Rugby International Tour in France, the Midwest Collegiate Women’s Rugby Development Tour, the USA Rugby West Collegiate Women’s NASC, the USA Rugby Senior Women’s NASC, the USA Rugby Senior Women’s Premier League Championship, the Asian Women’s 7s and 15s National Rugby Competition, and the Kowlook 10s Men’s International Competition in Lao Nagas.
"Developing a collegiate rugby program at Queens University of Charlotte is a phenomenal opportunity, and I am truly humbled to play a major role in this progressive movement, said Wurst. “I am greatly looking forward to working with the athletic department to add one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. to the current list of exceptional student-athlete experiences."
Wurst earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management with a minor in strength and conditioning from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse in 2003. She then continued her education at Marquette University in 2004 before attending the University of Minnesota to obtain a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology with a minor in prevention science in 2011. She is currently working towards a Doctorate of Education in kinesiology at UNC-Greensboro.