When I first joined rugby, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But I didn’t expect it to shape me the way it has. Between balancing school, my personal life, and the physical demands of a full contact sport, I’ve learned what it really means to be strong—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. One moment that changed everything for me was when I got tackled during a game and dislocated my knee. It was one of the scariest and most painful experiences I’ve had. I remember laying on the field, unable to move, with tears in my eyes, not just because of the pain, but because I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to play again. The recovery process was long and frustrating. I had to sit on the sidelines while my team continued without me. That was one of the hardest parts, feeling like I was missing out on something that had become such a huge part of my life. But that injury taught me more than any win ever could. I had to be patient with myself. I had to rebuild my strength slowly while still keeping up with school and everything else going on in my life. There were days I didn’t want to go to physical therapy, or I felt like I was falling behind, but I kept going. I learned that real strength comes from choosing to keep pushing even when everything in you wants to quit. As a girl in a sport that people still see as too rough for females, I’ve always felt like I had something to prove. And after that injury, I proved it to everyone and to myself. I came back stronger, both on and off the field. I play smarter now. I move with purpose. And I know what it means to fight your way back. Being part of a girls’ rugby team has been empowering. We’re tough, determined, and always there for each other. We don’t get the same attention or recognition as the boys’ teams, but we show up anyway because we love the game and we love what it gives us. Rugby, and everything I’ve gone through because of it, has made me stronger in every way. I plan to keep playing in college, whether through a club or a local league, because I’m not done growing. Rugby taught me that pain doesn’t define me. My persistence does.

To me, “rugby family” is something that is so profound. From the moment I went to my first practice, I knew it was not just about playing a sport; I was becoming a part of something greater than myself. A rugby family means having a group of individuals who support each other on and off the pitch. It means having teammates who celebrate your individual wins as well as the victories everyone contributes to. They lift your head up after losses and will not let you stand alone. My rugby family has changed my perspective on how people should be treated, and hopefully, in college, my new rugby family will be just as welcoming. Never did I think I would try rugby, let alone join a team. Now, I can say with a hundred percent say that I cannot imagine my life without it. I look for rugby in everything now, and I even based my college decision on whether they had a rugby team. This change in my mindset is from the absolute kindness and understanding of my teammates in my rugby family. There was never a time when my teammates got mad at me, not even when I ran the opposite way on the pitch and almost scored a try for the other team, or when I cost my team a penalty for not rolling away after tackling. After those embarrassing moments, one of my senior teammates helped me realize you are not playing rugby right if you are not making mistakes (and learning from them). In our next game, I ran the correct way and rolled away as fast as I could from a tackle. After our tournament, we had downtime, and one of my teammates wrote me one of the most encouraging things I have ever received: a post-it note saying she had watched me improve, was proud of me, and was happy that I joined. That Post-it note has remained in my phone case ever since. Having a rugby family means there is a group of people who want the best for you. There have been countless times when a teammate has stayed with me after practice just to practice passing or tackling. This bond goes deeper than game-day huddles and post-game soreness. It’s in the rides to tournaments, the pit stops for snacks, and the inside jokes that only we understand. It’s learning discipline, triumph, and resilience together. To me, a rugby family includes the supporters, like parents. I have had to rely on some of my teammates' parents for transportation for out-of-state games when my mine could not take me. My rugby family has shaped my character, taught me how to lead, and shown me what strength in unity looks like. As I look forward to college, I am excited to continue my rugby journey, not just as a player, but as a teammate, a leader, and a contributor to a new rugby family. I cannot wait to grow my skills and compete at a higher level, but more importantly, I want to be a part of a community that values hard work and heart. I know the lessons I have learned through rugby will carry me far beyond the pitch. I cannot wait to bring my passion and dedication with me to college.