taking down someone twice your size, getting up when you’re
down, and pushing until the 80th minute. It’s about supporting
your teammates, chasing down every ball, and giving every-
thing in the scrum. The game can take someone that is timid
and unsure, and turn them into someone that is confident and
fearless.
Aside from the game itself, one of the best things about rugby
is the camaraderie. I began playing rugby 11 years ago and my
closest friends today are still those I learned to play rugby with
all those years ago. I have made countless friendships along the
way. Any rugby player, from any club, anywhere in the world
will tell you that there is no bond like the bonds formed by rug-
by teammates. A rugby club is a family; whether you are a rook-
ie, veteran, or alumnus, you will always be a part of the club,
and the members of the club will always have your back. Each
year I have played, I have met incredible people, from all walks
of life, that I know I can count on both on and off the pitch.
Beyond the training and the competition, the culture and
sportsmanship embedded in rugby is like no other. Rugby can
be seen as violent and intimidating, but at its core, it is a sport
that is about respect, gamesmanship, and integrity as much as
it is about the backwards pass. Over the last decade, rugby has
had a huge impact on the person I’ve become. Not because of
where the sport has taken me, but what the sport has given me:
friends to last a lifetime, discipline, dedication, fearlessness,
confidence in my own strengths and abilities, leadership and
teamwork skills, and opportunities to be a part of a community
that is much bigger than a game; I wouldn’t trade it for any-
thing.
If you are looking for a fun and competitive activity over the
summer in Edmonton, rugby is the sport for you! There are rug-
by clubs all across the city that offer programs for men, women,
and kids of all ages!
Angela Lieu
Edmonton Rugby Football Club (The Pirates)
http://www.piratesrugby.ca