Women’s rugby aims to break stereotypes

Christine Imperatore / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

Junior Ploy Pirapokin is the founding member of University of San Diego’s women’s club rugby team. She played rugby for 14 years back home in Hong Kong and was disappointed when she came to San Diego and found that the only local team consisted mostly of slightly older women.

With the help of an advisor, philosophy professor Brian Clack and campus recreation, Pirapokin set out to assemble a team for her fellow students. She wanted to get the message out that “anyone can play,” and to encourage USD’s women population to try something new.

It was difficult to recruit at first because of the stereotypes associated with women’s rugby. “Many young women think that you need to be big or butch to play rugby and that if you are not you will get hurt,” Pirapokin said. Junior Adelita Guzman added, “It is harder to recruit for a sport like rugby because it is not offered in many high schools here, so very few people in the U.S. have experience with the game.”

Pirapokin explained that women who play rugby are actually quite “fit” rather than “buff” and that is a great way to get in shape and have fun at the same time. Players on both teams put a great deal of trust into one another and make sure that they are playing safely, so nobody gets hurt. “And you do not need to have any experience to join,” she said, “We are all learning about the game together.”

The rules are the same as men’s rugby, but Pirapokin said, “where the men are more geared toward using their strength, the women focus more on speed and tricks.” The women’s team often works together with their male counterparts. They help out with recruiting and sponsorship and occasionally lend their equipment.

The official season does not start until next semester, however, the team has already begun to practice. “We are currently in the teaching stage, making sure everyone learns the rules and techniques,” Pirapokin said.

Their first game will be Feb. 1, against Occidental College. Throughout the season they will face off with Southern California teams.

Playing women’s rugby at USD is also an opportunity to work with great coaches. The head coach is alumnus Michael Booth and occasionally Shaina Turley, alumnus and member of a national team.

Pirapokin encourages all women to give it a try. Whether it is as a player or a spectator, women’s rugby promises to be a fun and exciting new activity for the USD community.