Women have came a long way in their struggle for equality. Today they can participate in most any endeavor that men can. The realm of sports has been a little slower to change. There are still some sports where some see it as taboo for women to play. One of these sports is rugby. Rugby is a very physical sport that is similar to american football played without any pads. For most of the history of the game, women were not thought to be athletic enough for such a rough sport. Now women all over the world are beginning to take up the sport in growing numbers.
Locally in Wilmington, there is a group of women who are determined to change these misconceptions. The Cape Fear Women’s Rugby club met today at the Flytrap Downs field for an intro to women’s rugby clinic. All women over the age of eighteen were invited to come out and learn the game. The girls started with a few warm-up stretches and then began some practice drills. The returning veteran players helped some of the newer members hone their passing, tackling, and scruming techniques.
Kettie Norton has been playing rugby for several years and is a long standing member of the Cape Fear Women’s Rugby club.
“Last year was our first year, so we are still gaining ground. We have been working with the UNCW women’s rugby to make sure their numbers grow and we grow so everyone can continue to see more growth.”
The event was a great success with several new comers showing interest in the sport. With women’s sports as a whole continuing to gain ground on the men’s, rugby is positioned to be a major new addition.
When asked why she liked rugby Kettie said, “You can as a woman, be a little rough in a game and you don’t have to be refined.”
For more information visit www.capefearwomensrugby.org