MRU Rugby Club is pushing the boundaries of women’s sports
Khaoula Choual, Staff Writer |
Women’s sports are undergoing a major game-changing transformation, drawing more viewership than ever before. Women’s rugby is at the forefront of this movement, as it has quickly gained popularity and is defying long-held gender stereotypes in sports.
Female rugby players were once marginalized in the male-dominated sport, but today, they participate at the highest levels, from the Rugby World Cup to the Olympics, demonstrating their power, resilience, and talent on the field.
Women’s sports, especially rugby, are finally gaining the traction they deserve with players like Ilona Maher, an American rugby player who has stolen the hearts of many young girls by breaking stereotypes in women’s sports.
“Ilona Maher, she is just a beautiful icon that helps set up what it is about women’s rugby and what it is to be a woman and support women,” said Robin Roelofs, a seasoned veteran with the MRU Rugby Club.
As a role model for young girls, Roelofs and other members of the team advocate for women to embrace their femininity and tackle hard.
“We can get really into our feminine side and look really nice. But when it comes down to it, we are ready to go,” said Katelyn Watts, the MRU Women’s Rugby team captain.
Canadian women’s rugby is currently ranked second globally, outranking the 23rd-placed men.
Rugby not only represents women on an international scale, but it also represents them on a local scale. The MRU Rugby Club helps women in Calgary “fight like a girl.”
“We are fighting like girls, and we do a hell of a job,” said Watts.
Although the rugby team at MRU is not a varsity team, they still play against clubs across western Canada. This season, the girls placed third as they made a real case for a Cougars varsity rugby program. The team was full of energy every minute of every game, even feeling the excitement of the game from the sidelines.
“So much adrenaline pumps through you, and you’re not even playing. So you could just imagine how much adrenaline is on that field,” said Watts.
A new generation of female athletes is being inspired to embrace their strength and potential by the increasing number of women participating in rugby. Whether they are rookies or veteran rugby players, they are women who play rugby, a sport in which they feel they belong.
“I want to play as high as I possibly can because I want to be a role model for those younger girls to show that you can be strong and look beautiful and you can run fast and play these rough sports and still dress up nice,” said Roelofs. “These sports are not just for men.”
Despite being a veteran rugby player, Roelofs says that she is also learning more about the sport of rugby.
Beyond the game itself, rugby instills qualities such as teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence and has helped many young girls with body image.
“I’ve struggled with my body image for a while, and rugby’s also hugely helped me with that because there’s just so many girls that are just so different,” said Roelofs.
Playing rugby is a great way for women to improve their confidence, allowing them to release energy and intensity. It creates an environment in which hitting hard and being aggressive can be channelled productively, allowing emotions to be released in a way that is both empowering and rewarding. The game’s competitive aspect instills a sense of drive and strength, making for an intense and satisfying experience.
“We’re all starting to come together as a community to support each other. And I think it’s so nice to see the true talents of women…and it’s not boring to watch,” said Roelofs.
Despite being a competitive sport, the MRU Women’s Rugby Club is for everyone—regardless of experience and skill level.
For players like Danamay Maneso, this is her first year playing rugby. Although she has played sports before, she wanted the aspect of community that sports offer now as a university student and has always been told that she should play rugby.
“As soon as I saw that MRU had a club and anyone could join, I was really missing…the community aspect…So I thought it’d be great to join,” said Maneso.
“We are such a good community. We want more people to join,” said Roelofs.
While barriers exist, the future of women’s rugby appears bright. Increased participation and growing fan involvement show that women in sports are not just participating, women’s rugby is leading a movement.
“You can be tough and strong, just like any man,” said Maneso.
