Playing a sport can be dangerous. Playing Rugby is very dangerous. But somehow, even though there is so much that can go wrong, Rugby is so much fun. I just started to play rugby a few weeks ago and have only played in two games, but I have never felt so empowered, proud, and energized all at the same time.
For one, let me start by explaining what rugby is, in case you didn't know (I didn't really know either until I actually played). Rugby is a sport like football but with a little bit of different terminology and a lot less padding. In rugby, like football, the goal is to get the ball down the field into the try zone, and stop the other team from doing the same. This may not sound dangerous, but along the way there is a lot of running, tackling, and rucking (basically fighting for possession) that makes the sport scary but fun.
Although this is pretty brutal, I have learned a lot even from my first few weeks.
Teamwork
Rugby is definitely not a solo kind of sport. You have to learn to rely on other people. In almost every aspect of rugby, at least two people are involved, which I think has taught me to trust people. I've had to be a part of a scrum (shown below) and although this tested my personal boundaries, I had to learn to trust that the other girls were gonna help me stay steady, and they in turn had to turn that I would help them.
Self Confidence
I don't know how to really explain this in words. I don't know if it's the fact that I have to trust that I can take a girl down and go all in, or if its the fact that I have to change into my jersey on the field, or its just the fact that I'm trusted by other girls to do my job, but Rugby has taught me to be self confident. I don't feel as weird about my body with them because nobody really cares. I'm actually able to chase after someone and tackle them, because I know I can do it. I feel as if Rugby has shown me that I don't have to be nervous, but just try my best.
Pride
Along with self confidence, rugby has taught me to have a sense of pride in myself. After my first game, a lot of people were astonished that I did it. Thinking back on it, Playing rugby makes me proud. Like yes, I tackled people. Yes, I was in a scrum. Yes, I did it. If I can do rugby, I feel like I can do anything. Knowing that I did things that I didn't think were possible makes me proud. I made it through another day, another game. I can do anything.
Rugby is not only a sport of danger and injury, but it's a sport of pride, confidence and finding something new in yourself. So, don't let the rumors scare you: they're all true, but that's what makes the sport great.
