Before I got to college, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what my next four years would look like. I wanted to join a sorority, make lots of friends, focus on my schoolwork, and get a job. All of those things ended up happening, but I gained something else that I never pictured. Two summers before college, I made a close friend at my summer camp job who always raved about playing college rugby. She only played her senior year, but constantly encouraged me to play for my college. While I loved working out and doing yoga, sports were never really my thing. Still, the idea interested me, and when I met members of my college’s team at the freshman activities fair, I made the decision to at least humor my friend and try it out. I walked on to the pitch after the second day of classes, having no idea how much that decision would shape my college experience.
Rugby gave me a community to be a part of as soon as I entered college. I had just moved to Vermont, over 3,000 miles away from my home in California, and entered college not knowing a single person. The first week I started going to practice, I was in a dining hall with an older girl from the team, and a boy I met at freshman orientation asked if I was on the rugby team. I wasn’t sure if I was officially on the team yet, but the girl I was with enthusiastically answered “yes!” and hugged me. In that moment, I truly felt like I found my place in my college of over 10,000 undergrads. From my first days at practice to now, my rugby family has always been there for me. When I need somewhere to crash for a night, help me move into my dorm, a study buddy, or just someone to get food with, my team always has my back. I have seen my teammates help each other with school issues, serious injuries, relationship problems, and more. We spend at least five days a week running, sweating, and tackling each other, but still choose to be with each other in our free time.
Rugby taught me to truly be confident in my body. Before playing rugby, I always struggled with my body image. I was never the “athletic type” and never quite felt as beautiful as other girls. Playing rugby, you quickly learn that there is no one body type ideal for the sport. No one is too tall, short, skinny, or large. No matter the shape of your body, there is a position for you. I quickly found a position perfect for my body and skills. Rugby made me push my body to its limits. I learned to tackle people twice my size. I learned to be relentless, getting hit to the ground and immediately getting back up and running to where I need to be. I learned to take care of my body when it got hurt, and know when to stop. Over the season, I saw my body get stronger, my technique get sharper, and my sprints get faster. I learned how truly strong and capable my body is. I learned to love my body instead of criticize it.
Rugby taught me to be balanced, responsible, and focused. The fall of my freshman year, I took the full amount of class credits, took chemistry and calculus, and was in the honors college. This, on top of playing a sport, made my first semester a busy one. With practices Monday through Thursday, and games every Saturday, I had to make sure my schoolwork was done and I always had time to study. When I joined my sorority and got a job, I had to learn to balance multiple commitments and responsibilities. I had to resist the temptation to go out and stay up late on Fridays, I had to be responsible and choose to go to bed early. No matter the challenge or inconvenience, I know I always have my team to rely on for support. The diversity of majors, interests, and experiences of my teammates means I have someone to go for any support I need.
This is such an incomplete list of ways rugby has shaped me. I have only been playing a year, and I know I will be challenged, grow, and make new relationships so many times over the next few years. To my team: you are the most supportive, driven, and beautiful group of people I have ever been a part of. In the rugby world, we have a saying, "15 as one." Even though only 15 of us can play on the pitch at once, I truly feel like all forty-something of us are one. The rugby family is the best family!
