Before I get this article started, let me give you a quick background on myself. I am 6’2, 160 lbs. In no way am I a “large” person - the closest I’ve ever gotten to being called big is when someone refers to me as “lanky”. That being said, yes, I do play rugby, and I think you should too.
I, like many others, came into college with images in my head of what my experience was going to be like - images that I’m sure many freshmen are still trying to make a reality. Joining clubs changed that for me immediately. You get a new family, and I’m not just talking about some cheesy “brotherhood", I’m talking a real family. One that is actually inclusive and respectful of each other. Being a part of a team that has close ties with their female counterparts has truly given me people to rely on. People that will just as easily make fun of you for your mistakes as they will have your back at your lowest moments. I can only assume this is because we’re a team of misfits. A team of people who aren’t stereotypes. People who could fit in other places but are all unique in their own way and are accepted because we all share the same love of the sport.
Practices are vomit inducing, games leave you wanting to lay in bed all day, and the nights give us our memories, but we all have each other’s backs through it all and I always feel safe. Even when a 250 pound brick of a man is barreling towards me, I know my teammates have my back and they give me confidence.
I play rugby because I feel safe playing it. We are all out there without pads, none of us want to hurt each other. We all want to be able to make the drive home safe, and we all want to be able to crash at each other’s house without paying a trip to the hospital.
I truly believe that without rugby I wouldn’t have had half of the opportunities that I’ve had this past year. I wouldn’t have met the greatest people in the world. I wouldn’t have the connections I’ve made throughout the state.
I play rugby because it gives me a family. I play rugby because it gives me a home. I play rugby because I love finding bruises and cuts I didn’t even know I had. I play rugby and everyone should.
