Joining A Team Sport Was One Of My Best Decisions
Renae Townsend | Opinion Editor
When I was preparing to come to Eastern, my family told me I would end up stepping out of my comfort zone. Do an activity I’d never thought I’d enjoy. I highly doubted that—I knew what I wanted to do. Get in, get my diploma, and get out. Maybe write a few things for the newspaper. Never in a million years did I think I would join a club sport.
This semester, I joined the Eastern Women’s rugby team. I’m not the most athletic—not by a longshot. Before joining the team, I’d never really worked out on a consistent basis. So, my decision was odd, to put it lightly.
And yet, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
My first few weeks at Eastern were quiet. I made friends with my lovely roommates; I went to classes and ate at Hurley and went back to my dorm room. There was a quiet system in my life, and it wasn’t a bad thing at all. But I was bored. And I really didn’t want to be bored staring at the posters on my walls. When I met a girl who said she was a part of the rugby team, it intrigued me. She invited me to come to their practice that night.
I’d never been a part of a team sport before, so joining was like a breath of fresh air. It was also, obviously extremely nerve-wracking. Walking into that practice I was so anxious and I thought that I’d made a horrible mistake. When I saw them run a lap around the field they were practicing on, I almost made the decision that this was too much for me. But I stuck around, and at the next practice, I ran the lap with them.
I almost died halfway through.
I kept apologizing and wishing the ground would swallow me whole. And yet, the team didn’t bat an eye.
They didn’t ridicule me or belittle me for my lack of expertise. They didn’t yell at me when I dropped the balls they passed. Or when I struggled to understand the complex rules of rugby.
They encouraged me and showed me tips to improve my technique. They stayed by me while I ran and made conversation.
And a little more than halfway through the season, I ran a full lap without stopping. I was thrilled. And so were my teammates.
Rugby, in a way, taught me new things that I didn't know about myself. I always used to doubt my commitment to things; I'd start something new and stick to it maybe for a week or two, deem it too difficult. And then I would give up. I stayed dedicated to myself and the rugby team. I may not have spent a lot of time playing games, and I am not as strong or fast as others on the team, but I’m not giving up. I want to get better and spend my time here at Eastern learning everything I can about the sport. I’m also playing next semester, and I hope I can be more active in the spring.
To college students who may still be stuck in their dorms: take a leap into the unexpected. College is empty without taking random risks, and you may be able to learn about yourself. Don’t just get your diploma and get out—dip your toes into the water and see what you can find.
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