Written by Ashley Rosenbaum
The women’s rugby team which became a reality at the beginning of the year, competed in the Ozark Tournament in Little Rock, Ark., on Nov. 13 and 14.The team has had its struggles while beginning a new team and is working on becoming closer as a team as it begins to compete, members said. They are currently holding practices with the Little Rock ladies rugby team.The team captain, sophomore Kelsey DeShazo, said the tournament served as a learning experience.”We played two games on Saturday and one on Sunday,” DeShazo said. “We lost all three, but we learned so much. We played other teams that had been together for years. The other teams at the tournament said they were very impressed with us for it being our first game.”DeShazo said that freshmen Beth Gibbons and Alison Berry had the idea of starting the team and that it has been a challenge to keep it going.”We struggled with finding a place to practice since there are so many other teams practicing on the fields,” DeShazo said. “We struggled with finding a coach who could help us. We struggled with finding enough balls to practice with. We struggled with fundraising and paying for the things necessary to play. However, all of these things have worked out.”DeShazo said the biggest challenge has been figuring out what direction the team should go in.”We tried for a while to make a Harding team without teaming up with anyone, but we had to make a decision if we wanted to play this coming season,” DeShazo said. “It was a very hard decision because we did lose a couple girls because of it, but overall I think it is best for the team. There have definitely been challenges along the way, but I know that all this will be worth it and God will bless our efforts.”Sophomore and manager Chelsea Holmes said playing rugby has brought new opportunities for girls at Harding.”I think that having women’s rugby at Harding is great,” Holmes said. “It allows girls to be involved in a family-oriented sport and meet people from all over the South.”Freshman Elyssa Gastellum said she had been looking for a sport to play in college and is glad the rugby team got started.”I love being a part of the team,” Gastellum said. ” I am so glad that I was able to find another team and sport to be a part of.”Sophomore Roxanne Moaveni said the team is thriving but still needs help from others in the Harding community.”Unfortunately, the one thing we truly need to change about our team is support,” Moaveni said. “We need sponsors. Plain as that. Rugby equipment is expensive and, so is transportation, yet thankfully, our girls love rugby so much that everything comes out of their own pockets.”Moaveni said the girls on the team are dedicated and are doing their best to learn.”I’d like to see our rugby team keep striving for excellence in everything,” Moaveni said. “Everyone starts off as beginners; no one is born clutching a rugby ball. It’s up to you whether or not you’ll let the fact that you’re a newbie discourage you. I pray that these girls never lose that determination to succeed and win a tournament one day, knowing that they never gave up.”
