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10/23/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/23/2024 19:36

BU Women’s Rugby Club Prides Itself on Inclusivity as Popularity Soars

BU Women's Rugby Club Prides Itself on Inclusivity as Popularity Soars

The BU women's rugby club team during a game against UConn on Nickerson Field October 6. The team has seen an increase in popularity since the US women's rugby team won a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Rachel Levine

Club Sports

BU Women's Rugby Club Prides Itself on Inclusivity as Popularity Soars

After US Olympic rugby team's bronze medal, the sport sees a growth in interest

October 23, 2024
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The Boston University women's rugby club team had almost 40 new members sign up to join this year. The team typically recruits 10 to 15 players annually, so this was a "really big deal," says back Gen Shanler (Questrom'26).

While Shanler says the team was successful on its own at recruiting new members, there were a couple of big differences this year that no doubt helped: Team USA women's rugby took home the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics over the summer-on a stunning last-second play by Alex Sedrick to beat Australia-and star player Ilona Maher became a viral sensation for her powerful runs.

"There has been a lot more attention," says forward Riley Minns (CAS'26). "People who know I play rugby were talking to me about them winning the medal, and I've never had a conversation with them about rugby before. So I definitely think there was more attention."

With plenty of new eyes, the BU team is in the midst of its fall season, where they play five games in the Division I Northeast Women's Collegiate Rugby Conference. The club team was started roughly 25 years ago and plays both a fall and spring season. In the fall, the team plays a format called 15s, which has 15 players on the field and is considered more physical and "rougher on the body," Minns says. In the spring, the team plays 7s, which has 7 players on the field, leading to a lot more open space and sprinting.

The team practices twice a week and will often get together on their own time throughout the week to prepare for an upcoming match. Home games are played at Nickerson Field, with the last game scheduled at the University of Rhode Island this Saturday.

The team takes special pride in being known as a highly inclusive student club sport; they accept everyone no matter the skill level, and the sport is perfect for all different types of strengths, Shanler adds.

"Whether you're someone who's really speedy or you're someone who's really strong, there's basically a position for everyone," she says.

The team is dedicated to teaching the basics to rookies by pairing a veteran player with a newcomer to mentor them in the sport's basics. "It's nice to have kind of one-on-one interaction between the veterans and the rookies, so that they can learn and ask questions," Shanler says. "That's kind of how we integrate them."

Arianna Register (CAS'28) carries the ball down Nickerson Field in a game against Boston College on September 29. The team has been dubbed the "most inclusive club sport" at BU. Photo by Campbell Taylor

Head coach Jess Glauser, in her second year, says this system of mentorship even helps the veterans become better players.

"By teaching other people, you tend to get better yourself, because you're constantly reminding yourself how to do things," Glauser says. "That's a great part about culture and rugby: when you go out in the field it's really the players that have to lead everything."

Shanler was in a unique spot when she joined, since she played rugby in high school. However, most players, such as Minns, had no experience when they signed up. Minns joined the team in her sophomore year because she was "itching" to play a team sport again. After talking to her aunt, who played rugby, she was convinced to sign up.

"Everybody who was on the team and our coaches were so encouraging and really want people to learn for the sake of growing the sport," Minns says. "We still are so accepting with different ability levels, it makes for a sport that everybody can play, and it will get more women involved in playing sports and playing an aggressive sport."

That aggression makes the sport stand out among women's athletics. It is one of few contact sports and one where the rule book is the same for men and women.

"It's a space I think women are allowed to be a lot of things that they aren't allowed to be in classes or in just everyday life," Glauser says. "You're encouraged to pick up space, and you're encouraged to be loud."

The players also talked about the sport's camaraderie. Minns says her favorite moment on the team was when she scored her first goal and everyone ran down the field to congratulate her. "You can feel that support anytime anybody does something good on the field, and I have not always had that experience with sports, so I'm very grateful that the rugby team has been like that," Minns says.

While it typically takes the rookies time to get adjusted, Glauser says some players picked up the sport early this season and have already contributed. Despite the team's winless record at 0-4, Minns says the week-to-week improvement has been noticeable.

In the wake of Team USA's bronze medal, Minns says she hopes to see the sport grow both at BU and nationwide.

"I want people to be brave enough to want to get out there on the field. If anyone at BU is considering doing it, or is on the fence, like a little scared about it, I would say they have to come talk to our team, and we will persuade you," Minns says. "We'll show you that it's not as scary as you think it is, and that anybody can step on the field and perform."

If you are interested in joining the BU women's rugby club team, email [email protected] for more information.

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