The Rookie Chronicles

Oct 25, 2017

5 min read

Recently, we decided to interview our rookies before we finish up the conference season and make our way to the national tournament. Sometimes our rookies don't always see the spotlight during games as our conference season is usually a time of learning and progressing, especially since most of our rookies start from having no experience at all. So, in light of our recent feature in the Rugby Breakdown (link below), we wanted to bring our rookies' thoughts and experiences so far to the attention of our fans and followers.

Q: How are you liking rugby so far?

Cammie Ferguson: I've enjoyed it thoroughly.

Maryam "Slim" Mysorewala: I love rugby so far! Honestly, it's the most amazing sport I've ever played and I feel like I can express myself in a way I can't with other sports. I've always wanted to play tackle football (because of the tackling) and now I can finally tackle people!

Josie Fickle: I [freaking] love rugby. The team is amazing, they are so patient with us newbies, and just love to see us give it our all. When I was playing, I kept telling myself [the vets] won't be mad if I make a mistake, but they will be mad if I make a mistake when I'm not trying my best.

Brooke Williams: I'm currently loving UC Rugby! I've never met a more supportive and loving team, and the sport itself is so fast paced and fun! I'm sure once I learn the rules it'll be even better. (;

Kaylan Birks: I love rugby so far, it's become one of my favorite sports. I wish my high school would have had a rugby team. The team is super cool and they treat each other like family. I've never had a bond with any other sports team like I do with them. Q: What are some things you're nervous about in the upcoming national tournament?

Fickle: I'm nervous about seeing my teammates go down. Being injured myself, I know that it really, really sucks. I would hate to see our key players get hurt, leaving others feeling more vulnerable on the pitch- it's just a mess. It's hard to stay level-headed and strong during a game when people get hurt, especially if it's serious. There's just some things you can't avoid and if we do have players get injured, I hope it's in a movement of kicking [butt] and giving it their all, and that the teammates on the field can shake it off and keep their head in the game (go wildcats).

Williams: I'm a little nervous for the upcoming tournament since I was out with a concussion for the last month, but I know the girls on the team have my back so we're just gonna give it our all. I'm just excited about how well we've played this season!

Birks: I'm nervous about losing. We haven't lost a game yet, but now we are playing more challenging teams that are on our level, if not beyond. I hope that we can just continue to come out strong and undefeated.

Olivia "Gloves" Clement: Honestly, I'm just really excited for the national tournament and my only hope is that we go far enough to make those who's last year it is proud.

Q: What are some specifics you want our team to work on? What are some specific things you want to work on individually?

Ferguson: I think our team should just keep working on our plays like we've been doing. Specifically for me, I need to work on endurance.

Fickle: Individually, I think I could probably be louder on the sidelines, and get water to the team faster. Somebody else can worry about the tee though because I'm not worried about that.

Grace Livingston: I personally need to work on getting faster, and as a team I think we should work on communication more.

Birks: As a team, we need to just make sure we are talking, getting to breakdowns, and utilizing our space on the field to help out our speed players. As an individual, I need to make sure I'm following the rules as they are still new to me, and making sure I'm listening to my team as they're trying to help me.

Gloves: Personally I think I need to work on knowing what to do while playing.

Q: How do you like the rookie/vet pairs?*

Slim: I love the rookie/vet pairs! It makes me feel like I have someone to go to!

Williams: The rookie/vet pairs this year have been pretty great! I think everyone definitely bonded well with each other, but having a vet to help guide me has been so beneficial. No one can beat my two vets- I have the best ones, so it sucks to be any other rookie. Birks: I think the rookie/vet pairs are a great idea. It gives you the chance to connect with people individually and always have someone on standby if you need to talk about anything, it doesn't just have to be about rugby.

Q: Do you think you're going to keep playing rugby throughout you college career? Why or why not?

Ferguson: Yes, because it's good for fitness and it's just nice to be a part of something.

Birks: I definitely will continue to play rugby throughout college as long as my schedule allows me to. It's a great way to relieve stress and also is a great workout.

Q: How would you convince other girls to join our team?

Ferguson: By telling them it's just a bunch of friendly people hanging out and playing with a ball, and you get to be hardcore and wreck people.

Slim: I would tell them about my experience and ask them to come watch a game!

Fickle: What is there to lose? It's such a perfect environment to just be yourself above anything else. You also get to [tackle], get active, give yourself something to do in college, and make tons of new friends and meet their dogs. For me, it was such a new and intimidating experience but it was all for the better.

Livingston: I would tell them that it is the best choice I have made and the girls are some of my best friends now.

Gloves: In order to recruit new girls, I think I would focus on how you don't have to be a certain body type to play, how fun [rugby] is, and how social the team is, which is what personally brought me in.

Birks: Like people have been telling me, if you can catch a ball and run really fast, you can play rugby.

Our rookies are a huge part of our team and we strive to recruit girls of all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. Over the past few years, we have seen a significant increase in rookie retention rates, boasting around 20 girls in 2012 to now having a large team of over 30 girls, most of which have been on the team for years. We hope that in the next few years leading up to the turn of the decade, we can count off around 35-40 girls that are in UCWRFC for the long run.

Rugby Breakdown Article: http://www.therugbybreakdown.com/single-post/2017/10/19/Cincinnati-Aiming-Longer-PostSeason

*For those not familiar with rugby terminology, rookies (new girls on the team) are usually paired with vets (girls who have played on the team) to create a system in which the vets can guide the rookies through the season and be a personal resource for the rookie to reach out to on an individual level.