COF's Women's Rugby Team Heats Up
by Christine Dibiase, Emmanuel '12

Before coming to college I always played a variety of team-oriented sports. However it wasn’t until coming to college and being introduced to rugby that I knew what it felt like to truly be on a team. 

I never played rugby before coming into college; I didn’t know what the rules of the game were or even what a rugby ball looked like. The very first practice I was nervous from not knowing what to expect. However those nervous feelings went away quickly on the first day of practice and were replaced by the feeling of shock.  I was intrigued by the girl’s warm welcomes and patience they had for me while I learned the game of rugby. I was also intrigued by the their strong sense of family, dedication, and pride that they seemed to eat, breathe, and play by every day. I knew that this team was different than any other team I have been on and I knew I  was now a part of something special.

What is most inspiring of WIT Women’s Rugby is the history of the team. Three women founded WIT Women’s Rugby: Jennifer Van Kuren, Meghan Doyle and Alyssa Tortolani. Before starting our team, the three women found themselves being the only females on Wentworth’s men’s rugby team. As intimidating as it was playing with men that were three times the size of them, they quickly fell in love with the sport of rugby. It was an immediate thought of theirs to want to pass the opportunity of playing rugby to other females within Wentworth. However at that time, Wentworth was made up of 85% of men, making a women’s team almost impossible to find. However with petitioning and help from other colleges in 2003 WIT Women’s Rugby was successfully funded and labeled a COF club sport. The first women’s team, comprised of women from other COF colleges, started the beginning traditions of WIT Women’s Rugby and gave us the values that as a team we still play by.

Still being only a seven-year-old, self-functioning team, we were always seen as the underdog. However the underdogs came on top this past year going undefeated in our division and winning the championship. For the first time ever in WIT rugby history we were invited to nationals in New Jersey. Although we are labeled as a club, we have the dedication of a varsity level sport. As a team we practice and condition together and we’ve battled through physical and mental challenges.  However together we’ve stood by each other and we’ve cheered in victory. It is inspiring to not only have your teammates cheer you on but also having alumni come together to celebrate the traditions of WIT Women’s Rugby each season.  Just by being a part of WIT Women’s Rugby I have made some of the best of friends from each COF college and surrounding colleges in Boston. I have grown better as a person and athlete all thanks to rugby.

Each year we love to welcome more dedicated girls to join WIT rugby. Whether experienced in the sport or not, our club is always open.