FOLIO
Words by Lorelei Belanger
A team of women, supporting each other, doing something they love AND supporting their community? That’s exactly what the Jacksonville Women’s Rugby team does and has been doing since 2006. The team of women, called The Sinners, meet to practice twice a week throughout their season, which runs September through April. The team encourages new players to join at any point in the season. Playing as a competitive women’s rugby football club, they compete against women’s and collegiate rugby clubs across the Southeast.
Mothers, students and working professionals all come together to forget the stresses of everyday life and bond over a sport they love. I spoke with some players to find out more about the women behind the mouthguards and asked what they do off the field.
Anaya Smith (team member for four years): “I am a musician, but full time, I actually work at the library to promote literacy in Jacksonville youth. I go to VPKs, and I read to them, and we have story times or after school programs as well.”
Christina Sloan (joined two weeks ago): “A lot of CrossFit, also surfing. I manage a CrossFit gym, CrossFit Jax Beach.”
Lennon Hoekstra (second year on the team): “I play roller derby on Jacksonville Roller Derby, and I am a hairstylist at Cultivate Hair Salon in San Marco.”
Erin Duggan (a 7-year veteran): “I work at UNF. I go to the gym, hang out with my dog.”
Taylor Hollifield (a 4-year veteran): “Aside from rugby, I am either at work or I’m spending time with my family. I have a little boy; he’s 2 years old.”
The players have such unique, individual lives, but they all share one passion: rugby. With work, families, dogs and other sports, it can be hard to balance everything and find time for it all. I asked how they are able to do it all.
Smith: “It’s tough, but I’m going to be honest, I’m a little obsessed with the sport, so whenever I can, I come out here. This is my outlet, so like, the 9 to 5 is fun, it does bring me joy. But this is kind of what I hop out of bed in the morning for because I know that it’s like my little treat at the end of the day. I get to hang out with my friends, I get to run around, I get to play a sport that I really love. It takes a concerted effort to show up. I committed to something, so there’s no ifs, ands or buts, I have to be here.”
Sloan: “So it just came down to making a commitment, saying I want to do this. I want to be a part of this awesome team.It took some front-end planning to make sure that I am here every Tuesday and Thursday.”
Hoekstra: “I’m very lucky that I have a job that allows me to kind of build my own schedule. But mainly just making the time for the things that I enjoy.”
Duggan: “So I go to work, it’s like, oh, dang, I want this day to be over. But then once the day is over, I know I get to go to rugby. If we have a game that weekend or if we’re doing something that weekend, at least I get to go do that.”
Hollifield: “Well, don’t tell anybody, but rugby does take number one in my heart. But aside from that, it is just knowing that once I step on this field, once I commit to coming to practice, I did make a commitment to this team, to my teammates. So, if it’s not my number one, it is high on the priority list, just because I have so many teammates. I made that commitment to be here at practice and to give it my all. Even when I’m not at rugby, all I want to do is talk about rugby.”
All of the players seemed to agree that the team is very welcoming, supportive and encouraging.
Smith: “Some of us showed up to that so we do try to support each other if there are opportunities outside of practice and then we try to hang out.”
Sloan: “It is a really cool atmosphere to come in with girls who were just like, hey, no matter what your level is, we’re here to welcome you. We’re going to have a good time. We’re going to learn some stuff.”
Hoekstra: “They’re the best people ever. I love everybody, and I have never regretted coming to practice. It’s the most welcoming group of people ever.”
Duggan: “I feel like we’re a very friendly team. I might be a little bit biased, but I think we’re a lot of fun and very welcoming”
Hollifield: “I know if I ever need anything outside of this fence in the game that I know I can contact any of these people and I know they’ll come and help.”
After speaking with some of the players, spending time at one of the practice’s and seeing the team dynamic, I can confidently agree with the players, who said anyone who is even slightly curious or interested about the team should go to a practice or a game and check it out.
For more information on Jacksonville Women’s Rugby, visit jaxwomensrugby.com.
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