Rugby is a tough game. As a full-contact sport, it requires resilience and confidence, qualities the Millersville students who play on the men’s and women’s club rugby teams have in common. Unlike many sports, rugby follows the same rules regardless of gender, meaning the girls are hitting hard too.

Club sports at Millersville offer students the opportunity to engage in sports for both enjoyment and competition. Newcomers and veteran players alike are welcome to attend practices and join the team.

Kelsey Miller plays the forward position and was drawn to the team not only for its competitive opportunities, but for the great social atmosphere. “The team is really close,” she said. “When you join, it’s like you suddenly have 30 new friends.” A junior from Oxford, Pa., Miller is majoring in social work. She played soccer and basketball in high school, but wasn’t looking to make the time commit to varsity sports in college. Rugby, she says, is much more manageable.

Practice is Monday through Friday and matches are held on Saturdays. “Rugby is two hours of my day to have fun with my teammates and take a break from schoolwork,” said senior Rachel Frey, a mathematics major from Plymouth, Pa. “The team is accommodating when our schedules get hectic, making it easy to have time for practice and school.”

“Injuries are actually really rare,” Miller said. Players concentrate on how to tackle properly to ensure safety. “It’s a big priority with referees,” Miller said. “If someone is playing dangerously, they put a stop to it immediately.”

Despite all the contact, Miller says rugby players show a lot of class, “Even though someone tackles you, they’ll help you up right afterwards.” And opposing rugby teams don’t part ways right after the game. “We hang out with the other team afterwards. There’s a great sense of camaraderie among everyone.”

The Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union organizes matches between club teams from different universities. Opponents include other Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities like Kutztown and Shippensburg universities as well as area schools including Franklin and Marshall College and the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information about the women’s rugby team, visit www.millersvillerugby.com