Valarie
Im a freshman in college and I recently joined the women’s rugby team. This team drew my attention because rugby is a really powerful sport to me and the rules for women’s rugby and men’s rugby are very similar unlike a lot of sports who “soften” the rules for women as though we can’t handle the roughness of the sport. When I joined I was very excited to see women of all shapes and sizes join the sport but I did notice how there wasn’t a lot of us like the men’s team. Regardless we worked hard at practice and had fun while we were at it. As a bonding experience the team decided to have a pizza and drinks night and watch some rugby. There I found out that the women’s teams funding was no where near what the men’s team get. The women’s team has 6 alumni’s who give the team $100 each semester (not 100% accurate but it was around that) this in itself is extremely kind of them and i am grateful for them giving what they can. However, the men’s team has 30 people donating who give them $2,000+. This means they get better equipment than us, better transportation to games, and vacations with their team. This struck a nerve with me because we work just as hard as them, in the same sport, with the same rules. To make matters worst when I got back from the little party we had, I talked to some rugby guy friends I had, I told them about the money situation in which they informed me how the men’s coach constantly brags about how much more they get than the women’s team and how the guy player make fun of the girls while we are practicing. This was then followed by a comment by my friend about how if we practiced today instead of having a little party maybe we would be better and then get more money. This honestly makes me sad to be in a world that is clearly dominated and made for men. This experience made me want to make a difference in the world, be the change that helps women feel safer and more comfortable to be who they are. The only thing is, I don’t know where to start.