While many observers and casual fans may not put women’s rugby in the upper echelon of UCLA sports, competitiveness and success permeate the program. These women take their sport seriously, and they have the record to prove it.
The team has finished up league play and the players are readying themselves for their third consecutive trip to Nationals in April, according to team publicity chair Noorin Dorosti.
The Bruin Rangers (5-1) suffered their only league loss of the season in a hard-fought matchup with UC San Diego this past weekend in La Jolla.
Even as women’s rugby is currently designated a club sport, the team is fighting to upgrade to full NCAA status. A plan is in the works and the team hopes for NCAA recognition within the next two years. Senior inside center Yukako Kawakatsu, who serves as the team captain and alumnae chair, is working hard to make sure they get the opportunity.
“A lot of it is an administrative issue. Is there funding, do they think its a cause worth pursuing, stuff like that,” Kawakatsu said.
“There’s a lot of excitement within the rugby community. There’s a movement within the league to develop something like a Pac-6, which would include us, USC, ASU, Arizona, Stanford and Berkeley. There are a lot of things in the works. I’m excited.”
Since it does not receive the publicity of more popular games like football or basketball, many sports fans lack knowledge of rugby’s standard rules.
Women’s rugby is played with 15 players on each team during regulation, and seven on each side if a match heads into overtime.
Kawakatsu plays an integral part in the team. As inside center, she spends much of the game running in space and creating opportunities for her team to score.
“We have a lot more space to run in. We run a lot of pretty plays and we run fast,” Kawakatsu said.
Fellow team captain Rebecca Pan plays flanker for the Bruin Rangers, a position that puts her on the sides of the scrum and first in line for any loose ball.
“I’m part of the forward pack. Instead of running with the ball in space, we hit the ball and try to get the game moving upfield,” Pan said.
As publicity chair, Dorosti spends much of her time creating awareness for the women’s rugby team.
In addition to this duty, Dorosti serves as the team’s kicker and wing, a key piece to the offensive attacking game.
Women’s rugby is designated as a club sport and receives full support from UCLA Recreation. Although the team does receive some financial assistance from the school, most of its expenses are covered through player dues and fundraising.
“We’ll do TV tapings, we sell stuff out on Bruin Walk, whatever we can do,” Kawakatsu said.
As publicity chair, Dorosti creates campus awareness for each game and works as recruiter for potential new players.
Many students are not even aware a women’s rugby club exists, or think they are not a right fit for the sport.
“Most people who think of rugby think “˜I can’t play, I’m not big enough.’ There’s a position for every size, every speed, every kind of strength,” Dorosti said.
Whether the goal of NCAA support is realized or not, women’s rugby will continue to play and compete with the heart of any Division I program.
With fundraising and the growing awareness of the sport, the strong flow of talented girls will remain constant.
As a senior, Kawakatsu still works hard to continue the success of the team and ensure a prosperous future for her younger teammates.
“Rugby is a really amazing sport. Not only as a sport is it interesting to play, it’s a great community to be in. It comes with your own family.”