RUGBY

continued from page 18

“Everybody has a rugby body,” Walls said. “There are spaces for tiny people, and there are spaces for bigger people.”

Sophomore forward/lock Ruby Albers appreciates how rugby shows you how strong women’s bodies are and ignores the external pressure women have to fit a certain body standard.

“It gives me more of a sense of purpose with my body,” Albers said. “I’ll play a game and think, ‘Wow, my physical body just did that. I didn’t know I was capable of that.’”

El Lawton, junior flyhalf and vice president of the women’s team, found her time on the field increased her confidence and translated into other aspects of her life.

“I’m a scaredy-cat, but in rugby, you don’t have time to be scared,” Lawton said. “It’s such a fast-paced game. … It’s training my brain that I can handle anything. If I can run 100 meters being chased by people, then I can do anything, really.”

The sport has not only increased the players’ confidence levels, but also their confidence in their other teammates’ capabilities. Paige Neiman, junior prop/8 and backs captain, knows her teammates always bring their best to the field.

“I have no worries that anyone on the field is not going to do their job,” Neiman said. “Everybody is so good at stepping up and taking care of what needs to be done. … It’s so fun to watch everyone doing so great.”

Socialization on match days isn’t limited to just the team, however. The women of NC State take part in a tradition unique to rugby, the social, in which they get to know their opponents after a game.

“In rugby, we have socials where we invite the other team to hang out after the game,” Albers said. “I’ve never experienced that in a sport. … You’re playing this rough game, but in an hour or two, you’re going to be hanging out with the other team, which is unlike the atmosphere of other sports.”

The encouraging, non-intimidating environment in the rugby community serves as a reminder that the team welcomes anyone to attend a rugby practice.

“Anyone can join,” Albers said. “If you try it and don’t like it, at least you tried something new. If you like it, you’ve got an entire family, community, support system and source of fun.”

Stay tuned on all things women’s rugby by following the team’s Instagram @ ncsuwomensrugby and checking their schedule. Feel free to donate to the team’s fundraiser as it works to raise money for new uniforms.