2016_11_11_DEP_equipo_rugby_femenino

Marie Carmena arrived in Spain 2 years ago, from Canada, to study her programs of study. She is currently studying Medicine at the European University of Madrid, but started her training at the University of Navarra.

During her time at campus, one of the buildings that most excited her was the sports center, although she was surprised to learn that rugby, a sport so common in her country, was not practiced at the University. Determined, she decided to form a team and there are currently 12 girls on it.  

How and why did you decide to start a rugby team at the University?
When I decided to come to live in Pamplona, I was very clear that I was going to continue playing rugby: if the University didn't have a women's team, I was going to propose forming one. I found out that there was one in Navarre, but being outside Pamplona, training with them was inconvenient. That's why I decided to go for it.

Rugby is not a very common sport in our country and yet you have already managed to form a team. How many girls are on it and how did you get them to join?
In January of this year I was with six girls from my class, from Degree of Chemistry and Biochemistry , and I told them about my intention to form a women's rugby team. None of them had played rugby before, but they were encouraged to give it a try. Since there were only a few of us, we started going every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. to the Citadel to train and get some exercise.

My classmates began to encourage and little by little, we were adding more girls from class. One of the members talked about her experience at residency program, and more girls were encouraged to try it.

When we got 10 girls, I went to talk to Javier Trigo, the director of Sports Service, with the financial aid of Sofia Collantes, whom I knew from my volunteer activities in Tantaka. From the beginning, Javier was super helpful, and gave us the opportunity to start the women's rugby team at the University.

Little by little, we have been adding more members, until we became the team we are today.  

Did you practice this sport in Canada, and is it common among women in your country?
I played rugby 7-a-side in Canada. It is a very common sport, especially at the university level, both among boys and girls. There are universities that offer special Degrees to play rugby, and they prepare you to try to make the Canadian national team.

How did you get into the sport?
I started when I was 12 years old. At that time, I was living in Hong Kong and it was quite a popular sport there too, especially because of the Hong Kong Sevens. I had a friend who played and I really wanted to try it. The first time I played, I loved it and since that day I haven't stopped playing.

What does rugby mean to you, has it helped you in your life staff, has it given you new values?
For me rugby is very special and very important, I consider it as my second family. It has given me many things, it has helped me to have more confidence in myself and to know how to control myself when I am afraid, to better manage a stressful situation status . It has given me the balance I needed in my life. It is the best way to forget for a while about my problems, exams and the stress of everyday life. With rugby I learned to work in a team, and also to realize that sometimes appearances can be deceiving.

Do you need any special conditions to play rugby?
No, that's why I like this sport so much. You don't need anything, just desire! You can be tall, short, slim.... There is always a place for everyone in this sport. We must always welcome anyone who wants to join in, because all players have an important role to play.

Why encourage other college girls to take up the sport and join the team?
Rugby is more than a sport, it is a family between the two teams (men's and women's). Between players we are always here for each other and not only on the field. For me it is important to share and give to others what rugby has given me.

If any girl is encouraged to try women's rugby, she can write to Marie Carmena and try the experience.