I'm loving this post on the UBC team and women's rugby in Canada:
In women's rugby, community counts
Although rugby was played mostly by men for many decades, rugby is no longer just a “old boys” sport. Since the first documented match between English schoolgirls played in secret in 1913, rugby has been increasing in popularity and is now the largest growing sport for women in North America.
Showing posts with label rugby in the news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rugby in the news. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
In which I glee a bit over sevens
I am, like presumably everyone else in the rugby world, thrilled to hear that the IOC will be recommending rugby sevens for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic games. It's so exciting to see a version of my favorite sport gaining strength and getting increased public attention. And even though I am a fifteens girl through and through, it's clear to me that the sevens game is really the space where the opportunities are, especially in the women's game.
Rugby Canada's match report on the England/South Africa Nation's Cup game really highlighted the South Africa's sevens players as strengths of the team, stating that "South Africa Sevens’ athletes Gadu and Saloma impressed for the entire 80 minutes and were able to cleverly create chances out of seemingly dead end passages." I don't know much about South Africa's sevens program, but I have to imagine that Gadu and Saloma took advantage of what it offered, and took the strengths they gained from sevens back to their country's fifteens program.
The USA's sevens program, of course, I know a little more about - as do plenty of my well-meaning but rugby-ignorant friends and relatives who have asked me whether there are professional female rugby players, and consequently heard more than they probably wanted to know about the USA women's sevens' team, and their training camp prior to the World Cup in March (which I followed religiously via their blog).
I'm seeing a lot of momentum out there in the rugby world, not to mention the momentum a little closer to home - the Furies have been training all summer to get ready to play in the new Premiership league, which starts with our first match against Keystone next weekend. There's some big changes happening in the rugby world, and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Rugby Canada's match report on the England/South Africa Nation's Cup game really highlighted the South Africa's sevens players as strengths of the team, stating that "South Africa Sevens’ athletes Gadu and Saloma impressed for the entire 80 minutes and were able to cleverly create chances out of seemingly dead end passages." I don't know much about South Africa's sevens program, but I have to imagine that Gadu and Saloma took advantage of what it offered, and took the strengths they gained from sevens back to their country's fifteens program.
The USA's sevens program, of course, I know a little more about - as do plenty of my well-meaning but rugby-ignorant friends and relatives who have asked me whether there are professional female rugby players, and consequently heard more than they probably wanted to know about the USA women's sevens' team, and their training camp prior to the World Cup in March (which I followed religiously via their blog).
I'm seeing a lot of momentum out there in the rugby world, not to mention the momentum a little closer to home - the Furies have been training all summer to get ready to play in the new Premiership league, which starts with our first match against Keystone next weekend. There's some big changes happening in the rugby world, and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Olympic sevens?
My rugby news alerts have pointed me to buckets of articles on the seven sports vying for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games - because, of course, one of those seven sports is rugby sevens.
This article is one of the best I have seen (and not just because it's titled "Rugby has best shot at Olympic glory"!). It clearly lays out all seven sports and the advantages and disadvantages each one has to being one of the two chosen for Olympic inclusion.
Here's what it says about rugby:
RUGBY
What: The International Rugby Board is proposing men's and women's tournaments of 12 teams in the faster, short-format, seven-a-side version.
Why it's out: It was dropped in 1924, but it's now hard to find a compelling reason why it wouldn't work as an Olympic sport.
Why it's in: The sevens game is fast, exciting and popular worldwide. The recent sevens World Cup drew 760 million viewers from 141 countries. The sport would attract new sponsors. The IRB has promised to drop its World Cup if it becomes an Olympic sport.
Chances: Excellent. Probably the odds-on favourite.
Go rugby!
This article is one of the best I have seen (and not just because it's titled "Rugby has best shot at Olympic glory"!). It clearly lays out all seven sports and the advantages and disadvantages each one has to being one of the two chosen for Olympic inclusion.
Here's what it says about rugby:
RUGBY
What: The International Rugby Board is proposing men's and women's tournaments of 12 teams in the faster, short-format, seven-a-side version.
Why it's out: It was dropped in 1924, but it's now hard to find a compelling reason why it wouldn't work as an Olympic sport.
Why it's in: The sevens game is fast, exciting and popular worldwide. The recent sevens World Cup drew 760 million viewers from 141 countries. The sport would attract new sponsors. The IRB has promised to drop its World Cup if it becomes an Olympic sport.
Chances: Excellent. Probably the odds-on favourite.
Go rugby!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Crazy fun rugby
I love this quote from a California State article, UC Berkeley shuts out short-staffed Chico rugby team. I think it sums up rugby pretty well!
"This sport had to be invented by someone who was drunk," Kieren said. "But even though it's crazy, it's still crazy fun to play and watch."
As a bonus, there's a pretty good video of some gameplay with interviews with the coaches at the bottom of the page.
"This sport had to be invented by someone who was drunk," Kieren said. "But even though it's crazy, it's still crazy fun to play and watch."
As a bonus, there's a pretty good video of some gameplay with interviews with the coaches at the bottom of the page.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Hyde Rugby
I love this article from the New York Times on one of the boys' rugby teams here in DC: High School Team Breaks Down Barriers. My favorite part is:
All sports can help break down racial and cultural barriers, but certain elements of rugby make it especially suited. With its raw physicality and traditional postgame bonding, rugby forces an intimacy among opponents not found in many other sports.
A little early morning reading before I head off on my road trip to play some U23 rugby in Philly!
All sports can help break down racial and cultural barriers, but certain elements of rugby make it especially suited. With its raw physicality and traditional postgame bonding, rugby forces an intimacy among opponents not found in many other sports.
A little early morning reading before I head off on my road trip to play some U23 rugby in Philly!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
"Women love contact"
I am thinking up a nice post about the PRU U23 scrimmage this past Sunday, but I'm currently far too distracted by the Election (yes! capitalized!) to sit still long enough to write it.
In the meantime, I found this lovely article on women's rugby, focusing on St. Mary's and NCAA recognition:
Women find rugby a good match
By Carl Steward
An excerpt:
"What I like about it is it can be pouring rain and you're dead tired but you're still having so much fun," said Wendy Amador, a Saint Mary's sophomore from Livermore High. "You don't want it to stop."
Women's rugby literally bashes all stereotypes about a female's ability to play a rough sport with the same verve and volatility as men.
"I like intense games, and rugby gives me an adrenaline rush," said Hayward native Bianca Mira, who attended Bishop O'Dowd High in Oakland. "It's way better than basketball, where you just get elbowed here and there. Rugby dispels myths. Women love contact."
In the meantime, I found this lovely article on women's rugby, focusing on St. Mary's and NCAA recognition:
Women find rugby a good match
By Carl Steward
An excerpt:
"What I like about it is it can be pouring rain and you're dead tired but you're still having so much fun," said Wendy Amador, a Saint Mary's sophomore from Livermore High. "You don't want it to stop."
Women's rugby literally bashes all stereotypes about a female's ability to play a rough sport with the same verve and volatility as men.
"I like intense games, and rugby gives me an adrenaline rush," said Hayward native Bianca Mira, who attended Bishop O'Dowd High in Oakland. "It's way better than basketball, where you just get elbowed here and there. Rugby dispels myths. Women love contact."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Chesapeake in the news!
Interesting article in the Sunday Baltimore Examiner on Chesapeake making it to nationals (although I'm not sure where they got the idea that Chesapeake is the only women's senior team in Maryland - USA Rugby claims three and I can think of at least two more!)
These women really love a good scrum
By Emily Campbell
Examiner Staff Writer 10/24/08
The Chesapeake Ospreys is only senior women’s rugby team in Maryland.
In her junior year at LaSalle University, Baltimore resident Jillian Szczepaniak-Gillece started a women’s rugby team. The reason?
“We were bored, and we wanted to hit people,” she recalled, laughing. “Stupid things seem really smart when you’re in college.”
But the “wrong” decision turned out to be quite right. Now 27, Szczepaniak-Gillece is the vice-president and an active member of the Chesapeake Ospreys, the only senior women’s rugby team in Baltimore.
“I really missed being on a female team. And this is a very diverse group. We have girls that have never played a team sport in their lives; we have some girls who have played rugby for 10 years,” she said. “It’s not a group you would necessarily see put together in public, but we look really mean on the field.”
The team is made up of 30 women, ranging in age from 19 to 36. There are teachers, scientists and financial advisors among the group. Szczepaniak-Gillece, a social worker, said that playing on the team serves to relieve aggression from everyday stress.
“It’s a lot of discipline and teamwork, and it’s tremendous to be able to play with such great people. The camaraderie is just outstanding, and being competitive in a sport is something a lot of people don’t have access to. Plus, once you get into it, you get really hooked. Not only is it a neat sport to watch, but there’s a very social aspect to it as well.”
Jeff Adamczyk, head coach for the women’s rugby team at Towson University, has been playing rugby for the past 15 years and coaching for seven. “Rugby is an emerging sport,” Adamczyk, 35, said.
“Most people my age started playing rugby in college, but there are a lot of high school teams now, both boys and girls. It’s in a different mindset than it was five years ago. There’s a barrier to be broken, but it’s getting there, and [the sport] will continue to grow.”
Adamczyk said a lot of people are surprised by how popular rugby has become.
“Pretty much every college in the country has a rugby team. I think it’s around more than most people think,” he said. “And it’s one of the true gender equity sports — the rules are exactly the same for men as they are for women.”
The Ospreys are heading to Florida Nov. 7 to compete at the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union Championship. They are the only Maryland team competing.
“When we’re out on the field, we’re definitely having a really good time, but we’re really ferocious and competitive,” Szczepaniak-Gillece said. “We’re the third birds in town, and we’re just as tough.”
LEND THEM A HAND
The Ospreys are hosting a benefit on Wednesday at Padonia Station, 63 E. Padonia Road in Timonium, to raise money for their championship bid in Florida. For information, visit chesapeakerugby.com.
These women really love a good scrum
By Emily Campbell
Examiner Staff Writer 10/24/08
The Chesapeake Ospreys is only senior women’s rugby team in Maryland.
In her junior year at LaSalle University, Baltimore resident Jillian Szczepaniak-Gillece started a women’s rugby team. The reason?
“We were bored, and we wanted to hit people,” she recalled, laughing. “Stupid things seem really smart when you’re in college.”
But the “wrong” decision turned out to be quite right. Now 27, Szczepaniak-Gillece is the vice-president and an active member of the Chesapeake Ospreys, the only senior women’s rugby team in Baltimore.
“I really missed being on a female team. And this is a very diverse group. We have girls that have never played a team sport in their lives; we have some girls who have played rugby for 10 years,” she said. “It’s not a group you would necessarily see put together in public, but we look really mean on the field.”
The team is made up of 30 women, ranging in age from 19 to 36. There are teachers, scientists and financial advisors among the group. Szczepaniak-Gillece, a social worker, said that playing on the team serves to relieve aggression from everyday stress.
“It’s a lot of discipline and teamwork, and it’s tremendous to be able to play with such great people. The camaraderie is just outstanding, and being competitive in a sport is something a lot of people don’t have access to. Plus, once you get into it, you get really hooked. Not only is it a neat sport to watch, but there’s a very social aspect to it as well.”
Jeff Adamczyk, head coach for the women’s rugby team at Towson University, has been playing rugby for the past 15 years and coaching for seven. “Rugby is an emerging sport,” Adamczyk, 35, said.
“Most people my age started playing rugby in college, but there are a lot of high school teams now, both boys and girls. It’s in a different mindset than it was five years ago. There’s a barrier to be broken, but it’s getting there, and [the sport] will continue to grow.”
Adamczyk said a lot of people are surprised by how popular rugby has become.
“Pretty much every college in the country has a rugby team. I think it’s around more than most people think,” he said. “And it’s one of the true gender equity sports — the rules are exactly the same for men as they are for women.”
The Ospreys are heading to Florida Nov. 7 to compete at the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union Championship. They are the only Maryland team competing.
“When we’re out on the field, we’re definitely having a really good time, but we’re really ferocious and competitive,” Szczepaniak-Gillece said. “We’re the third birds in town, and we’re just as tough.”
LEND THEM A HAND
The Ospreys are hosting a benefit on Wednesday at Padonia Station, 63 E. Padonia Road in Timonium, to raise money for their championship bid in Florida. For information, visit chesapeakerugby.com.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Who's big rugger on campus?
So our campus newspaper wrote up our home game... and check out the picture they used!!!!
A copy of the article and photo:
Media Credit: JACOB GOODMAN/The Eagle
The AU women's rugby team finished the season with a 3-5 record.
Women's rugby has rough-and-tumble 2006 season
Jessica Lee
Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Sports
American University's women's rugby team had a losing season (3-5), but senior captain Colleen McHugh said this year wasn't a disappointment.
"I think this was an important building season," McHugh said. "A lot of young players gained experience, we got a group of great new players and we learned what skills we need to focus on for the playoffs in the spring."
McHugh said the women have built on their previous talent.
"The improvement from last season is incredible. Every girl on the team has improved her ball handling, tackling, field awareness," she said. "I've been really impressed with how much every player has stepped up their game individually and also as a team."
This club team is more than just a team. According to McHugh, the women on the team like to say that AU women's rugby is family.
"It's great to be part of a team with teammates who support you on and off the pitch. We are a close team and know we can all count on each other for anything," she said. "The team gets along really well and that's because we all have a lot of respect and care for each other."
McHugh said a lot of strong players graduated last year, leaving a very young team behind.
"It's been a tough season with people shifting positions and learning new positions; the dynamic of the team is very changed from last year," she said. "We did a great job recruiting a huge group of rookies who look really promising and are learning the game quickly."
Senior Kellie Cavalier, the other team captain, said she agreed.
"We have a great bunch of rookies who really added to the team and we have continued developing as a team," said Cavalier.
However, despite how easily the young team clicked, there were still problems with how well the women communicated on the field at the beginning of the season.
"With so many young players the team hasn't been playing together long enough to know how to play with one another," McHugh said. "But we've sorted it out, and the team improved a lot by the end of the season."
Despite some of the re-adjusting of the team, the women played some really great games this season, but they also had some tough losses, McHugh said. One of these losses was No. 2 Penn State. Nonetheless, McHugh said the women played to their potential.
"This year we played the best I've ever seen AU play against Penn State. While we lost the game, we made Penn State work for their win," McHugh said. "I think this game showed the team what we can do when we play our best."
"The [team] has begun to realize that we are unstoppable if we play together and play hard," Cavalier said.
A copy of the article and photo:
Media Credit: JACOB GOODMAN/The Eagle
The AU women's rugby team finished the season with a 3-5 record.
Women's rugby has rough-and-tumble 2006 season
Jessica Lee
Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Sports
American University's women's rugby team had a losing season (3-5), but senior captain Colleen McHugh said this year wasn't a disappointment.
"I think this was an important building season," McHugh said. "A lot of young players gained experience, we got a group of great new players and we learned what skills we need to focus on for the playoffs in the spring."
McHugh said the women have built on their previous talent.
"The improvement from last season is incredible. Every girl on the team has improved her ball handling, tackling, field awareness," she said. "I've been really impressed with how much every player has stepped up their game individually and also as a team."
This club team is more than just a team. According to McHugh, the women on the team like to say that AU women's rugby is family.
"It's great to be part of a team with teammates who support you on and off the pitch. We are a close team and know we can all count on each other for anything," she said. "The team gets along really well and that's because we all have a lot of respect and care for each other."
McHugh said a lot of strong players graduated last year, leaving a very young team behind.
"It's been a tough season with people shifting positions and learning new positions; the dynamic of the team is very changed from last year," she said. "We did a great job recruiting a huge group of rookies who look really promising and are learning the game quickly."
Senior Kellie Cavalier, the other team captain, said she agreed.
"We have a great bunch of rookies who really added to the team and we have continued developing as a team," said Cavalier.
However, despite how easily the young team clicked, there were still problems with how well the women communicated on the field at the beginning of the season.
"With so many young players the team hasn't been playing together long enough to know how to play with one another," McHugh said. "But we've sorted it out, and the team improved a lot by the end of the season."
Despite some of the re-adjusting of the team, the women played some really great games this season, but they also had some tough losses, McHugh said. One of these losses was No. 2 Penn State. Nonetheless, McHugh said the women played to their potential.
"This year we played the best I've ever seen AU play against Penn State. While we lost the game, we made Penn State work for their win," McHugh said. "I think this game showed the team what we can do when we play our best."
"The [team] has begun to realize that we are unstoppable if we play together and play hard," Cavalier said.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
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