On Sept. 17, the Guilford men’s rugby team played against Duke University. Despite the hour-long drive to Durham, both fans and players were geared up with spirit and cheer. Painted legs with a touch of glitter and signs that read “Go Guilford” highlighted the sidelines.Eager to pump the men up for the big game, the majority of the fans were women rugby players. “We foster a bond which I have not seen in any other sport,” said the women’s rugby captain, Hannah Kennedy.

“There is a closeness and intimacy from knocking each other around,” added Kennedy. “Not only do we have to carry each other on the field but we have to do it off the field as well.”

“There is definitely a reason why we have a great amount of fan support,” said senior Julia Cibulka, captain of the women’s rugby team. “The game is exciting to watch, even if the fans don’t know what’s going on.”

Despite the loss of the Sept. 17 game, the men’s rugby team kept a positive attitude. The final score was 35-25.

“I say that all in all we rocked it,” said Andrew Slater, captain of the men’s rugby team. “We have a lot of new guys and they all have a lot of heart.”

“Improvements that are needed are communication being one of the biggest and our conditioning is a little off, but really, the number one thing is just heart; that is how teams are made,” added Slater.

“Not winning doesn’t make you less of a player,” said Cibulka. “I mean, it’s always been a struggle to be on a team that doesn’t win all the time, but that’s not what we need to focus on; we need to look at the highlights of each game.”

Both men’s and women’s teams have many new players along with a great level of intensity this year.

“I am so excited to have so many new girls,” said Kennedy. “With that comes weakness and a need to keep up that energy but having that freshness is really exciting.”

“Teamwork is definitely our biggest strength; we’re picking people up when they do things wrong,” said first-year men’s rugby player Tyler Howard.

Whether it is playing in a game or working at practice, the men and women’s rugby teams give a sense of togetherness. Both teams are dedicated to what they do and both are extremely eager to win.

“It’s better than some sports, not only because it’s such a team sport,” said Slater.

“Rugby is a team sport where you bond with your teammates over the course of the season,” added Howard.

“I expect that everybody is going to take this loss and think about the things that we need to do and things we could do better,” said men’s rugby player Sean McNally.

“Rugby is a thinking game and there is a lot involved,” added McNally. “The good thing about rugby is that it is intense on the field but afterwards everybody shakes hands and they want to go socialize with each other.”

Men and women’s rugby gives everyone a chance to play.

“Every player plays a key role,” said Slater.

“I mean it’s a raw physical sport and we ask a lot of each player, but girls and men of all different body types and skill sets are valued in the game of rugby,” said Kennedy.

“Rugby is a great sport. It really doesn’t matter your size; you’re needed in the game,” Cibulka added.

All rugby fans get your signs and body paint and get ready for the women’s first game of the season, Saturday Sept. 25 at Elon University. Get a chance to add to the excitement with colors of crimson and grey. Bring not only your spirit, but also a cheer of “Go Guilford Rugby!