We live in a pretty progressive world in which men and women are slowly but surely becoming more equal. We still have a long way to go though.
Even the most progressive feminist can make the mistake of saying something along these lines to a Rugby Girl, "Women who play rugby are fierce, strong and confident."
So in order to save your skin, here is a list I compiled with the help of my teammates of things you should NEVER say to a Rugby Girl.
1. "Do you actually tackle like the guys do?"
Yes. And if you're not careful, you're next.
2. "Boys don't like aggressive girls."
We don't give a single sh*t about what boys like. Playing rugby doesn't make someone naturally aggressive, and if a boy thinks it does and doesn't like a girl because of it, it's probably because he's intimidated and not worth her time.
3. "Aren't you worried about getting those big thighs/ too muscular?"
I'm sorry, am I challenging your traditional views of femininity? Girls are not skin and bone. We have muscle, and contrary to popular belief, we can also be strong.
4. "You're going to mess up your pretty face!"
The picture above is the face I want to make when I hear that. Girls are not just faces. Say it again, and I'll mess up your pretty face.
5. "You're too big/small!"
Rugby Girls come in all shapes, sizes, races, ethnicities, religions, birth sexes, and levels of experience. There are no stereotypes in rugby. There is only whether or not you can play the game.
6. "So is your whole team a bunch of dykes?"
Usually, the ones saying this are boys who have been turned down by a girl and their superiority complex does not allow them to think for a second that maybe the girl doesn't like him because he's a jerk. So naturally, she and her entire team are dykes. The short answer? If I say yes, will you go away?
7. "Isn't rugby just football without pads?"
Football wishes it was as cool as rugby.
8. "When girls play, is it like that lingerie football league?"
Just because girls are playing, does not mean it is sexual. We wear the exact same uniform as the boys. Also, see number 7.
9. "Watching girls play is probably boring."
Probably not, but listening to you talk is definitely lowering my IQ.
10. "Isn't that a boy sport?"
There's boy basketball and girl basketball, boy soccer and girl soccer, etc etc etc. Just because a sport is tough, does not mean it is for boys.
11. "You'll just get injured/ it's too dangerous for you."
Injuries happen in any sport. Just because you have some prejudice against girls tackling each other, doesn't mean it's too dangerous.
12. "Rugby Girls are just in it to party."
No. Rugby Girls are in it for the team, the friendships, the support, the confidence, the strength, the love, and most of all, the sport. We can party like nobody's business, but that's not because we play rugby. And some of us don't party at all. That doesn't mean our team doesn't love us any less.
Women who play rugby are a lot of different things. None of us fit into a neat little box. We're a wide range of people and backgrounds who deserve respect and don't need to be coddled. The one thing that brings us together is the sport we all play.
If you take anything away from this list, it should be this: Don't mess with a Rugby Girl.
