The TRU Collegiate Womens Division Two cup season kicks off this weekend and has a good local darby feel to it with the Women of Rice University making the short trip up I-45 North to Huntsville to play host Sam Houston State Universirty Women’s Rugby Club. TRRA referee Gary O’Bannon will make the short commute Huntsville and to see his idol Sam Houston!
The Sam Houston State University Women’s Rugby Club first appeared on campus in the Spring of 2005. After getting organized for a few semesters SHSU Women’s Rugby debuted a competitive team in Division II of the Texas Rugby Union. The creation of a Women’s team at Sam Houston continuously generates interest in young women looking for a new competitive sport to get involved in. Sam Houston Women’s Rugby operates under the Texas Rugby Union, the Western Rugby Union Territorial guidelines and it’s parent Union, USA Rugby.
Each semester SHSU Women’s Rugby grows in both numbers and talent. Last year, two members were chosen to play for the Texas Rugby Union’s Under 23 Select Team. Those ladies were Kiana Curl and Jesse Richburg.
This year the team is operating under a new coach, Mandi Valdiviez, and a new captain, Megan Oadra. Both are driven to provide each member a positive learning experience, an opportunity to meet new people, and a chance to help women’s rugby grow in Texas.
If your in the area, go out and support your local rugby club in what should be a very competitive and entertaining match.