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.