Why We Play Rugby

"Yet these rugby players. with their muddied, cracked bodies, are struggling to hold onto a sense of humanity that we in America have lost and are unlikely to regain. The game may only be to move a ball forward on a dirt field, but the task can be accomplished with an unshackled joy and its memories will be a permanent delight. The women and men who play on that rugby field are more alive than too many of us will ever be. The foolish emptiness we think we perceive in their existence is only our own." - Victor Cahn


Rugby has challenged and inspired generations of Dartmouth Women's Rugby players. Here are some of the things that players at the DWRC and other Women's Rugby clubs have had to say over the years about their beloved sport, their beloved clubs, and wearing their jerseys with pride.


Play Rugby
Why we play through the bruises and the inclement weather.


Rookie Reflections
Sara Carpenter '03


Rugby Season
By Peter FitzSimons, forwarded by Susan Crangle '01


Tight Five
Written by and about Erin Broderick '99, Libby Craig '00, Susan Crangle '01, Chloe Holmes '01, Alice Pope '01


How the DWRC Changed My Bone Structure
Testimony of Melanie Pastuck '11
"The details of my Saturday are inconsequential...very well, where do i begin? my backs are a bunch of relentlessly self-improving rugby players from the tiny town of hanover. my forwards are incredible powerhouses of energy...my team would ruck, we would maul. we would make outrageous claims, like a day watching us was an incomparable pleasure. sometimes, we would accuse the other teams of being lazy. the sort of general malaise that only the genius posess and the insane lament. rugby, for me, was typical. practices at sachem, many bruises. during games, we'd make mush out of the other team. when i was unlucky, that incredibly huge butch girl heading towards me would pummell me at full speed- pretty standard really. at the half, many girls strip down to their bras to pass their shirts to the other players. during the game, my teammates and i ritualistically KICKED UMASS' A** way the hell back to where they came from, scoring try after try. there really is nothing like a rugby game- its breathtaking...i suggest you come watch it."
-Amy Lynne Jaccarino '03

"...don't you love that feeling when you're so into the game that the physicality of your body is inconsequential? when you know in your head WHAT you have to do to make that tackle, block that kick, drive that ruck. . .and you just DO it without any thoughts as to how much you hurt, are tired, etc. . . that to me was always the best part of the game. the mindset when your strength and skills are secondary because they just compliment the mental images of the game. . .the anticipation, the communication, the inspiration. . . these make everything else fall into place. and when it all comes down to it, you guys KNOW you can win. and there is so much pride behind that. just think of all the tradition that is left behind you, the base of the DWRC as an entity. . . all of us WISHING it was still us out there. . .and then the future. . . watching with awe as you guys pull off yet ANOTHER impressive win, maybe even some playing alongside, motivated by the sheer power of example and leadership. . .all the talent that is out on that field, all the hardwork you guys have done. . .this is the time, the big challenge, where you can showcase it all, and have fun with this game, this means of existing through bruises and tubesocks and metal cleats =)"
-Erin Broderick '99