You unexpectedly walked into my life the moment I sat down to watch the Summer 2016 Olympics. Flipping through channels until I stopped on what I thought was women’s soccer, you surprised me when I saw a woman tackle her opponent to the ground. What I didn’t know then was I was watching two of the best women’s rugby teams in the world, New Zealand and Australia, battle it out for gold. I’ve been hooked ever since and grateful that you gave me a chance at West Chester, helping me build my confidence, leadership, and bringing me a team that quickly turned into family. It’s not every day you start playing a sport at the collegiate level, but I knew this is where I was meant to be. You were the sport where I finally felt at home.
On October 8th of 2016, I played in my first game. I had my first run and my first tackle, and I had a gut feeling things were going to happen; good things. From that day forward, you’ve taken me on new adventures and have taught me so much about myself. You gave me the space to grow into who I was becoming, who I was always meant to be: a friend, teammate, member of the community, and a leader. There aren’t enough words to describe the impact you’ve had on my life. Here are the most impactful lessons you’ve taught me:
1. I am more than enough.
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
- Maya Angelou
Playing rugby is to be and feel empowered. Rugby needs players of every size, shape, and height on the field in order to be successful. You take us as we are and teach us to use the body we are given to tackle, run, kick, and score. These quickly became my favorite aspects of the game. When I step on the field, my 5’3” and medium-sized stature could cause people to underestimate my ability on the field. My teammate Kelsey’s much taller and slimmer frame would make you think the same thing. The beautiful thing about rugby is size doesn’t matter. Tackling is 80% mental and only 20% physical. We put in the work during practice to make technically sound tackles. When it’s game time, you have to trust in yourself. Trust that all the work you put in at practice will not only keep you safe on the field, but show the crowd rugby can be done by anyone and everyone. If you believe you can tackle someone, then you will tackle them. My size hasn’t stopped me from being able to tackle anyone on the field. You remind us of how capable we are when we put our mind to something. On the field, I look around and see women ready to put their bodies on the line for the sake of this great game. It reminds me that a strong woman, let alone a rugby player, does not come in a “one size only” mold that we must conform into.
To you, I am more than enough exactly the way I am.
And to me, that is the most beautiful part of our time together.
2. You are where you’re meant to be.
“Take heart. Breathe deep. You have not missed out on what was meant for you.”
- Morgan Harper Nicholas
Like I said, my journey to you was not like other people’s. Walking on to a team with well-established players and even other freshmen having high school experience is hard. The first two years, I doubted my place on the team and if I would ever be able to “catch up.” I thought I had missed out on my chance to flourish in the sport. Instead, you reminded me that I was exactly where I was meant to be and that opportunities meant for me will not pass me by. I worked hard. You brought me opportunities I would’ve never gotten a chance to be a part of without you. You gave me the opportunity to grow, play for Northern Virginia Women’s Rugby starting team, and the chance to lead my team to win a national championship. Now I know great things take time, and you were worth the wait.
3. Fall down seven times, stand up eight.
“We will either find a way or make one”
- Hannibal
Our team didn’t have the most successful seasons when I first started. Known for playing with a lot of heart even when the game isn’t in our favor, you taught me how to never give up; to give my all until the final whistle blows. It took three years, but our team came alive to win their first undefeated season and national championship. We knew what we wanted, and it didn’t matter who tried to hold us down, we wanted to come out on top. Our team was known for coming back from any point deficit. Coach Tony called us the “cardiac kids” after our championship game against Brown University. The season was not as perfect as our record showed. We made mistakes. Practice and conditioning were grueling. But every game where we fell behind, we regrouped and remembered the strength this team had when we fully worked together. You can’t stand up without falling down, meaning you cannot rise without failing and realizing the strengths and weaknesses of others and how to mend them all together to get on top. You reminded me that it was ok to fail, because without failing we cannot grow.
4. Ubuntu - “I am because we are.”
South African proverb from Zulu language
“If I thrive, you thrive, we all thrive.”
- Juah Toe
Over the years I’ve learned the importance of community. Because of you, I created my life motto “If I thrive, you thrive, we all thrive,” and that saying carried me through all four years. I took this saying on and off the field. On the field, I led my team with my heart and wanted our team to feel like a family. If my teammates thrive, I thrive, and together we all thrive. Off the field, I used this intention to drive my community service work. To create connections and build people up who have fallen on hard times. You taught me in order for a community to thrive, we must take care of one another because to take care of each other is to take care of ourselves.
Wake Up A Winner.
Thanks to you, I wake up feeling like a winner everyday. I have the self-confidence and strength to handle any obstacle presented to me. You have shown me what I am capable of doing and helped me become the strong leader I was always meant to be. You allowed me to live my truth and I will forever be grateful for all you have given to me. I want to thank you for giving me the best of friends, coaches, and support system both near and far. Thank you to my family for always being by my side and supporting me when I dive into something new. Thank you to West Chester, my coaches, and teammates for lifting me up to be the best that I can be and being there to catch me if I fall. I could not be here today without you all.