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SPORTS
12
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Guilford rugby clubs: more than meets the black eye
BY QUINCY MALESOVAS
Staff Writer
Do you have any friends who are'hookers?
What about flankers?
If your answer is no, then you probably are unfamiliar
with the Guilford College rugby teams.
For those who do not play the sport, rugby may seem
Uke an enigma. The most common assumptions are that it is
rough and something like football.
"I would not describe myself or any of my teammates
as violent by any means," said
sophomore player Danni
' Lawrence-Cohen in an
email interview. "In fact,
I would say the exact
opposite."
Senior player Richard
Adamson wholeheartedly
agrees.
"Rugby is known as
'a gentleman's sport' in
most countries where it's
played," said Adamson,
"Even though the
game can be rough,
if s also supposed
to be a supportive,
encouraging
environment where both
teams can lend a hand."
The Guilford rugby
players say their passion
for the sport is due to
the camaraderie that it
provides.
"Your team always
has your back," said
senior women's
rugby president
A.C. Canup, who
goes by the name
70
O
>
z
Rugby player Jerone Holman *18 passes to Collin Gendron *16 as part of a running drill during practice on Haworth Field.
The women’s team does a line-outs during a practice.
"Sheriff Sweetie" on the field.
"It is a crucial part of the sport, and it translates into
everyday life."
The women's team is not the only one with a focus on
fellowship.
"I have to say that everything I did rugby related ... was
the reason my sophomore year was so much better than
my freshman year," said senior player Brandon "Swag"
Wagstaff.
Along with the bonds that are formed, there is a strong
sense of acceptance within the rugby community, both on
and off campus.
"As with much of Guilford, we come from different
backgrounds, we have a wealth of personalities and we all
have many differing interests outside of rugby," said senior
player Jennifer Riddle in an email interview.
"But we also have a diversity in shape and size. As we like
to say, every body is a rugby body."
This standard of acceptance is constant in the professional
ranks as well.
Professional Australian rugger Ian Roberts came out as
gay in 1995 and -- even as the first publicly "out" player in
the world — was met with great encouragement.
"In the 20 years since I played with the Rabbitohs I've
never felt any serious sense of homophobia," Roberts said in
an interview with The Australian.
More recently, British player Gareth "Alfie" Thomas came
out as well and received high praise.
In fact, Thomas received StonewalTs Hero of the Year
Award shortly after the announcement. «
Guilford ruggers hope that rugby's tolerant culture will
attract new members in the same way it attracted them.
The men's team advertise themselves as an "all-inclusive
organization on campus for players of all skill levels and
sizes" on their Facebook page.
The rugby teams encourage everyone to come out to
games and practices, regardless of interest or experience.
"Rugby is not the sort of sport you hear about or see
unless you are really looking for it," said sophomore player
Ruby Wyatt in an email interview.
"Everyone on the team started as a beginner so we all
know what's it is like and are really good at teaching."
The rugby team recruits year-round and is always looking
for support. Men's and women's practices are every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Haworth field. For
even more rugby action, Canup advised getting ready for the
2016 Olympics, where rugby will be an event.'
Upcoming Rugby Games
Women’s:
Sat. 20 — 11 A.M.
VS.UNCW
Haworth Field
Men’s:
Sat.27-2f*.m.
@ Wingate Universitv
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