Growing up I tried every sport available, always thinking that if my older brother could play it, I could play it also (and probably better!). For every team sport, I found myself as the only girl on all boys’ teams, in leagues with only a couple of other girls even playing. This was true for flag football, basketball, baseball and all team sports. I excelled at Irish Step dancing, the only female dominant activity I participated in, but that was all individual effort and not a team experience. While living in London for a year, I was exposed to rugby and was immediately interested. Returning to the US, I joined a local rugby 7s league. Once again, I was one of only two girls on a boy’s dominated team, but I loved the competition and comradery. Progressing from flag rugby, to middle school and high school tackle, I bonded with my male teammates, but was curious as to why more girls were not joining this growing sport. As a freshman, I organized the first girl’s only motley matches during our season tournaments. Now as a senior, high school girls’ matches are commonplace, with multiple teams participating. Even with this success in 7s, there have been limited opportunities for girls’ 15s in the northeast. I was grateful for the chance to captain our Junior Jacks (MLR Academy) against Rugby Quebec, bringing together our players from all over New England to form a 15s team. However, to really learn and grow at 15s I had to reach outside of my local area, and comfort zone, and join travel teams. This is where I truly found my rugby family, becoming friends with girls from across the country while travelling to Ireland, and then reconnecting at US tournaments up and down the east coast. The ability to make long distance relationships, and find people who have a drive and a passion like myself, has really encouraged me to work harder and set my sights higher. A few years ago, I was nervous to step out onto a field with players I hardly knew. Now I look forward to every travel opportunity, knowing I’ll reconnect with distant friends and make new ones, all while playing the sport I love. In addition to playing rugby, my family and I have been swept up in the rugby culture. As season ticket holders, we look forward to MLR and WER matches, where we can spend an afternoon with rugby friends in a festival atmosphere. Meeting people we would have never met otherwise, we have cheered on families’ players as they have graduated and taken the next step up to playing in college. Now it is my turn, and I have been accepted at several Division 1 programs in the US, but ultimately have decided to attend McGill University in Montreal, as it aligns closely with my academic goals. At McGill, I was given a campus tour by the team recruiter, who is also a freshman player. She explained the setbacks that several sports suffered at McGill, but also highlighted the tremendous support that the women’s rugby team received from alumni and the community. Forging ahead, they have hired a new head coach and have a full fall schedule. All of which was player driven. I was inspired by the players’ determination to rebuild, and look forward to helping lead the McGill Martlets back to being a strong rugby program. I also aspire to join the Women in Sport student-athlete council at McGill, which is committed to advancing the visibility, promotion, and empowerment of women in sports.