Horizons Online Edition

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The Black Sheep Women's Rugby Team played the second half of a Sevens Rugby game during the All Campus Barbeque. The Women's Rugby Team is a relatively young team still trying to build enough players to play a full-sided game with 15 players.

Just a year and a half ago Nicole Lovett started the girls' rugby team as the only player. Last spring, several girls joined Lovett at the Black Sheep men's rugby practices. The men's rugby team has been extremely supportive in the effort to build a competitive women's team. Because there are not enough girls to form a complete team yet, the girls have been playing with various teams including Northern Arizona University's Timberdoodles Women's Rugby Team for game play.

Many of the girls from last year share experiences of first-time game play on the Men's Black Sheep Rugby Team B-Side games. Last spring, five girls under Lovett's coaching played on NAU's team in a weekend tournament in San Diego. The tournament included women's college teams from all over the United States including games against University of California at San Diego and Princeton University. The girls have learned a lot of valuable skills, but now it's time to learn to play as a team.

This past fall, several more girls joined the Black Sheep Women's Rugby Team. What started as one female playing on a men's rugby team has lead to team of 13 hard-working girls building a team of their own. The men's team is extremely supportive to the girl's team and both teams continue to build together.

The Women's and Men's Black Sheep Rugby Teams are very close and players from both sides have formed strong friendships. The Black Sheep Women's Team is coached by Nicole Lovett. Presiding officers include Holly Szumila (President), Mi-Ya Mata (Vice President), Ashley Clark (Match Secretary), and Victoria Aceves (Recruitment Officer). The Black Sheep Women's Rugby Team practices four days a week, two of those practices with the men's team.

"The biggest focus of this semester is to get a full girls team so we can hold a match against NAU," Lovett says. Recruitment is a priority. Girls of all athletic abilities and backgrounds are invited to learn more about rugby. This spring season looks very promising toward obtaining funding for tournaments and playing rugby competitively in the region.

All girls are encouraged to join. Anyone interested can contact Holly Szumila at 928-777-6258.

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