Common Misconceptions
As a sport, women's rugby is very much the new kid on the block. Boston University, for one, doesn't have a team yet.
But already, several stereotypes about women's rugby players have emerged. One common misconception is that women who play rugby are tomboyish, masculine or gay, according to club members.
"In a way, it's a method of suppressing women from playing a 'rough sport," Cornell says of the stereotypes. "It's a means of putting it down. It's not an exclusive sport--different people like to play--gay, straight, pregnant."
Sometimes, however, the stereotype is perpetuated by other rugby teams. Sullivan recalls that, during a visit to California for a club side match last spring break, Harvard's team was hassled for appearing too "feminine."
"They [the opposing team] beat us out, but not as significantly as they would have liked to," Harrell explains. "Each team has its own personality, and they weren't sportsmanlike. They were very bitter. . . they lashed out, saying we were a little too girlish."
As the Harvard women walked off the field, their opponents shouted "Cut your hair!", Harrell says.
Within the team, however, cookiecutter conformity is not expected. Players are open-minded and genuinely encouraging of one another, Harrell says. In fact, the openness of the team made the process of coming out of the closet easier for her.
"Lesbians feel more comfortable about being out there," Harrell says, "[The team is] very supportive, they don't make an issue of it."
While they're friendly, that doesn't mean they hit any less hard. In fact, one of the club's main attractions is the sheer physicality and spirit of the sport.
"It's a little scary, but it releases tension," says Megan J. DuBose '97. "There are no rules about how rough you can be. You can basically tackle someone however you want, bring someone down however you can. After a game you're exhausted, banged up, but it's a good feeling."
Members of the team see rugby as a growth sport. At the same time, however, they acknowledge that not everyone thinks being mauled by an opposing team of 15 women is fun.
"You get bruises and you get cut up," Martinez says. "It's not for every body."