Hey everyone! Kyle asked me to contribute to his blog on Sport Annex, knowing how much I enjoy competition; we thought I could add some fun new angles to his blog!

While most little girls were interested in doing ballet or gymnastics I was often busy outdoors playing in the woods or wrestling my younger sister until my mother had to break up the fight. Now that I’m twenty one I’ve grown to be a bit more lady like, though I haven’t lost that adventurous appetite for the outdoors and sports.

As an undergrad student at Syracuse University I am not only a member of a sorority but a member of the Syracuse University Women’s Rugby Football Club. At a whopping 135lbs. most people look at me as if I’m joking when I tell them I play Rugby. It’s actually quite amusing to me because for as long as I can remember the association between a rugged dirty sport and a petite young lady wasn’t made.

I first joined rugby as a sophomore in college. I came to the university having played soccer and softball but didn’t want to play on a Division 1 team that would consume my life as I already had a time intensive design major. A few of my guy friends who played on the men’s team encouraged me to come and watch their games on the pitch. Not soon after was I really intrigued by the sport. It was a ballet of strategic yet chaotic swift plays that didn’t stop to reset but continually pushed through every ruck and tackle. That was it. I had to see what this was all about for myself.

When I came out to the open tryouts I had no clue what any of the terminology was or how to even play the game. Some of the senior girls gave us a quick run down of how to move, throw, and a general gist of how the field play works. By the end of the two day tryout I was hooked.

I’m not going to lie, it can be brutal as the object of the game is to tackle your opponent to gain possession of the ball and score a tri. But I relished in the fact that I was able to be apart of such a rough sport where you played your heart out in any condition only to leave it all on the field and partake in some of the most heartfelt and rowdy comradory among teammates. It is such a powerful feeling when you are in the middle of a match. You’re always on your toes as you have to be ready for each play called and switch of the field. You have to keep an eye on everything in front and around you so your next move isn’t tackled down. It is honestly more about swiftness and strategy and the tackling is the easiest part. As a smaller player I learned quickly, tackle lower no matter what size and they will always go down; without the mobility of their legs, they can’t push through.

The adrenaline and the fact that the halves are only forty minutes long create such a competitive environment where teams really have to work together not only finishing each others next move but being ready to support them when they need it. Like any sport it’s about the team as a unit. You’re in it to win but you’re there for each other.

My advice to anyone who has the passion for trying a new sport that commonly doesn’t seem to “fit” you is go for it! I did and it was the best thing I could have done. There was so much I learned from the sport not only through skills but through the lessons and principles that I still use off the pitch. So don’t be afraid to try something new and give it your all. Hoo Haa Shoot that Boot!!!

Sincerely,
Barbie
A Fellow Rugger
www.SportAnnex.com