The Barometer Online

Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: Sports

Many people think women are not capable of playing rough and hitting hard, but 41 students at Oregon State disagree. This group, known as the Oregon State women's rugby team, is ready to prove all of the misconceptions wrong.

"Rugby is the most fun you can have with your clothes on," women's rugby coach Mark Baldwin said. "It is a non-stop football game with no pads, no blocking, using continuous options plays, elegant violence … the game played in heaven."

"It's hardcore in the sense that, if you are a rugby player, it is a part of your identity," Elaine Daggett, a sophomore in botany said. "It definitely becomes part of you. To me, it has become a big part of my social circle."

The women's rugby team wrapped up its season last year with three wins and three losses in league play. The team made it to the regional competition against a range of Northern California teams. They were defeated in the first round of the Pacific Region playoffs but placed third in the Gobblerfest Tournament in Canada.


Last year, the team had two members selected for the USA Eagles, the national team for players under 23. They also had five players who made the All West Coast Team, including returning captain Elaine Schlarb.

The competition slated for the women's rugby team includes the University of Oregon, Reed College, Western Oregon, University of Washington, Western Washington, Central Washington and other regional teams from Portland and Seattle.

The Oregon State team hosts its games at the Peavy Field at 30th and Jefferson.

"What most appealed to me about the sport is that its a very high-intensity and strategy-oriented game that challenges you both physically and mentally," Danae Lincoln, a freshman in engineering said. "I love how the games are so continuous … there isn't a ton of starting and stopping with each play. You have to be totally aware of your teammates and your field position if you want a set of plays to be successful."

The women practice three times a week for a few hours each session. The first half hour is dedicated to warming up and drills, followed by a scrimmage. With a team composed of a large amount of rookies, the majority of practice time is dedicated to teaching the basics and strategies that are involved.

"What I really like about the club is that, even if you have never played a sport before, it is a lot of fun," Daggett said. "It is a really friendly and inclusive group."

Rugby, although similar to football, has its differences; all of the players play both offense and defense, and the game starts by drop-kicking the ball with a kick that must go at least 10 meters.

"There are no rules in rugby - only laws which are subject to the referee," Baldwin said.

Players advance the ball by passing backward (similar to soccer) or kicking the ball forward.

Unlike in football, you cannot pass, hit or knock the ball forward, or a penalty is called. When a player is tackled, she has to release the ball, giving the other team the opportunity to regain possession. No blocking is allowed in rugby, making it safer than American football by comparison.

"Rugby wasn't a very well advertised club sport at my school when I joined, but what influenced me to try it was seeing the awesome pictures in the newspaper of the high school girls' team playing in the rain and mud," Lincoln said. "It just looked so fun that I wanted to see what it was all about."

The team's upcoming games are at home against Western Oregon on Oct. 14 and against Oregon on Nov. 18. Women's rugby has a good chance at making it to the regional competition this year, as there are just three teams in the division.

"The camaraderie is my favorite part of rugby, having a big group to hang out with," Daggett said. "Anybody that wants to play - even if you have never played a sport before - can come and play with us."

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