NC State women’s club rugby offers competition, welcoming environment

Elizabeth Dull Correspondent

For nearly three decades, the women of NC State club rugby are building confidence through the sport’s encouraging and accepting environment.

Founded in 1994, Women’s Club Rugby at NC State offers a social and competitive environment for all interested. The team practices on Method Fields and invites anyone to join anytime.

The women’s rugby club is tight-knit — a product of the open and honest communication brought to practice by the club’s coaches. Head coach Jeff Sommer keeps the team working hard but is adamant about maintaining a harmonious environment.

“My rugby philosophy is ABC: always be cool to everyone,” Sommer said.

Rugby as a whole does a good job of being cool to everyone as both women’s and men’s teams play at the same level. Josie McGlynn, senior flyhalf and president of the women’s team, appreciates how women’s rugby is just as competitive as men’s rugby.

“It’s nice that the playing field is truly fair among women’s and men’s teams,” McGlynn said. “If you watch women’s rugby overseas, those stadiums are packed — they sell out just like the men’s teams.”

In addition to the sport’s equality between genders, body positivity is valued in the rugby community. Katy Walls, a women’s rugby club coach, said rugby is unique because there is space for anybody to join.

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