Jessie Cameron is a 2L and in charge of the UBC Law Women's Rugby Team.
Clubs Day. What a wonderful part of back to school. I remember receiving the clubs information during orientation week last year, and being excited about the variety of student clubs to be involved in.
You’re going to be overwhelmed by the dizzying array of clubs this year. There are the highly organized clubs such as the Law & Business Society and the infamous Illegal Beavers. There are social clubs such as Outlaws and LawChaim. There are active clubs, such as the Environmental Law Group and Law Students for Choice and there are active clubs of a different variety such as the Ski & Snowboard Club. And so many many more clubs to tickle your fancy.
But I’ll admit, I’m not writing this blog in order to promote the vast selection of clubs at UBC Law. I’m here to promote my favourite club: the UBC Law Women’s Rugby Club. The who? Yeah, I know, a lot of other law students may be asking the same question. The club has gone by several monikers, including the Fighting Rhinos (I don’t remember the history behind that one), simply the Women’s Rugby Club, and last year we added that oh so special word: “touch”.
Now, despite our borderline inappropriate bathroom posters rank with sexual innuendos, this special word “touch” does have some significance. As of last year, we have become a touch rugby club. Although the Fighting Rhinos used to be a full contact team, playing against fellow law schools much like the Beavers do, the admissions department at UBC Law has unfortunately thwarted our efforts at being the best law rugby team in the country. They’ve just stopped letting in [female] law students who play rugby!! (Author’s note: I’m sure they haven’t actually stopped letting people in. I mean I got admitted, right?)
The switch to touch rugby is a positive step for our club as far as inclusion goes. Anybody can play touch rugby!! Can you run/jog/keep up with the pack? Can you catch a ball? Are you willing to learn how to catch a ball? We take players of all skill levels and trust me, there are no cuts on this sports team! The majority of our group last year were new to the sport of rugby, and they quickly learned that touch rugby is pretty much just tag for grown-ups. And who doesn’t love tag?
We were a small group last year, due in part to being missed at clubs day, and a lot of students perhaps misinterpreting what “touch” rugby was all about. So my real goal in writing this is to spread the word about a club that is easily accessible to all! And really lots of fun! We got together once every week or two weeks, and only during the quieter parts of the school year. We had our touch events on Sundays, so that no one had to leave the after party early. Yay for “no class” Mondays!!
Although we are a “women’s” rugby club, we interact with all genders! We organized two Touch Rugby events last year, which involved players from our club and the Illegal Beavers, as well as other law students, students from other professional faculties, and spectators. We can teach anyone who doesn’t know the rules, and get them up and running in mere minutes. It was a great way to socialize and meet people outside of your circle, and the Beavers were super keen to show us all the ropes. Playing alongside the Beavers at our events was one of my favourite parts of first year law!
When you make the rounds at Clubs Day and you’re trying to decide what extra-curriculars are going to take up those spare minutes in your calendar, come visit us at the UBC Law Women’s Touch Rugby Club. We’d love to have any and all who are willing to get dirty!
You’re going to be overwhelmed by the dizzying array of clubs this year. There are the highly organized clubs such as the Law & Business Society and the infamous Illegal Beavers. There are social clubs such as Outlaws and LawChaim. There are active clubs, such as the Environmental Law Group and Law Students for Choice and there are active clubs of a different variety such as the Ski & Snowboard Club. And so many many more clubs to tickle your fancy.
But I’ll admit, I’m not writing this blog in order to promote the vast selection of clubs at UBC Law. I’m here to promote my favourite club: the UBC Law Women’s Rugby Club. The who? Yeah, I know, a lot of other law students may be asking the same question. The club has gone by several monikers, including the Fighting Rhinos (I don’t remember the history behind that one), simply the Women’s Rugby Club, and last year we added that oh so special word: “touch”.
Now, despite our borderline inappropriate bathroom posters rank with sexual innuendos, this special word “touch” does have some significance. As of last year, we have become a touch rugby club. Although the Fighting Rhinos used to be a full contact team, playing against fellow law schools much like the Beavers do, the admissions department at UBC Law has unfortunately thwarted our efforts at being the best law rugby team in the country. They’ve just stopped letting in [female] law students who play rugby!! (Author’s note: I’m sure they haven’t actually stopped letting people in. I mean I got admitted, right?)
The switch to touch rugby is a positive step for our club as far as inclusion goes. Anybody can play touch rugby!! Can you run/jog/keep up with the pack? Can you catch a ball? Are you willing to learn how to catch a ball? We take players of all skill levels and trust me, there are no cuts on this sports team! The majority of our group last year were new to the sport of rugby, and they quickly learned that touch rugby is pretty much just tag for grown-ups. And who doesn’t love tag?
We were a small group last year, due in part to being missed at clubs day, and a lot of students perhaps misinterpreting what “touch” rugby was all about. So my real goal in writing this is to spread the word about a club that is easily accessible to all! And really lots of fun! We got together once every week or two weeks, and only during the quieter parts of the school year. We had our touch events on Sundays, so that no one had to leave the after party early. Yay for “no class” Mondays!!
Although we are a “women’s” rugby club, we interact with all genders! We organized two Touch Rugby events last year, which involved players from our club and the Illegal Beavers, as well as other law students, students from other professional faculties, and spectators. We can teach anyone who doesn’t know the rules, and get them up and running in mere minutes. It was a great way to socialize and meet people outside of your circle, and the Beavers were super keen to show us all the ropes. Playing alongside the Beavers at our events was one of my favourite parts of first year law!
When you make the rounds at Clubs Day and you’re trying to decide what extra-curriculars are going to take up those spare minutes in your calendar, come visit us at the UBC Law Women’s Touch Rugby Club. We’d love to have any and all who are willing to get dirty!
No comments:
Post a Comment