Joining my university's women's rugby team

**madmacs** · 30th June 12, 08:12 AM

Former #8 for many years here... Decided after getting my nose broken 3 times in 4 weeks that I should probably considered the health effects...

It is actually a game that has less serious injuries at professional level than soccer though...

Sounds like we have at least half a team identified so far... The prima donna backs haven't shouted yet have they?

**English Bloke** · 30th June 12, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by madmacs

...The prima donna backs haven't shouted yet have they?...

Too busy doin' their hair.

**English Bloke** · 30th June 12, 09:51 AM

Beltin' picture!

A word on Boots:

80 minutes of hard running, pushing and shoving in rubbish footwear with ruin your enjoyment completely and probably put you at risk of serious injury... You need good boots.

If you're going to play in the pack, I'd suggest you get high-cut boots. It'll save you a lot of skinning of your ankles when the scrum wheels. I used to wear Adidas high-cut 'Flankers' for a lot of years but there are other makes. I was looking at a pair of Gilbert 'Zenon' the other day (just out of interest laike) and they look like a crackin' boot. (as in very good, not as in full of splits.

)

High cut boots look like this:

as opposed to the more footy styled boot which looks like this:

T'interweb is your best source (as in dot co dot UK) And don't forget UK sizes are not the same as US sizes so check before you buy, and it's the 'mens' chart you're looking at (sorry that's probably obvious).

Make sure you get boots with screw-in studs and not moulded and make sure you have a few spares and a stud spanner in your kit-bag. (metal are best, they last longer and don't project as many sharp bits as plastic studs do.)

If you find you have a stud or two that have acquired projecting nicks, then change them out with a spare and file them down so you don't slice someone's face off next time you accidentally stand on them.

I imagine the team will provide the rest of your kit but you really do need your own boots. And don't forget to clean them after a game or they will fall to bits.

"Cleanliness... 'tis next to Godliness so 'tis."

Enjoy it! It's a fantastic game. You have a few songs to learn as well, for the third half ... probably best we don't discuss those here though...

int:

**madmacs** · 30th June 12, 09:58 AM

"accidentally stand on them"????

I don't think I ever saw that... deliberately maybe...

**English Bloke** · 30th June 12, 10:16 AM

No, it's always accidental ... honest.

**cryerelizabeth** · 30th June 12, 04:42 PM

thanks for the tips english bloke

**BCAC** · 4th July 12, 05:01 AM

OK, I'll jump in. I played hooker for 11 years and I stopped playing for the same reasons that John (English Bloke) did.

**cryerelizabeth** · 15th July 12, 01:39 PM

So I went with the team over the weekend to watch and learn some rugby while they play a social tournament, and I definitly understand it more.

I also ran across someone that recently graduated georgia southern and was on the men's team, and he was wearing his kilt to the tournament, and I instantly regreted not packing my kilt for the weekend. Then we went to a bar called The Tilted Kilt, and once again regreted not packing it! I should make note to always take it with me when I travle lol

**Deirachel** · 16th July 12, 09:33 PM

You wouldn't happen to be doing anything (practice/match) in Statesboro this weekend? I happen to, maybe, driving through Sat or Sunday (21/22) after visiting with the parents in Savannah. Would love to cheer you ladies on.

**cryerelizabeth** · 17th July 12, 04:42 AM

sadly nothing is going on this weekend

We have practices on monday and tuesday (5:30pm to 7:30pm) and thursday (6:30pm to 8:30pm). Most of the practices right now are just touch games with the guys team, but when the school year starts we will head into the tackling practice and the different plays.