Sophomore Mathilde Neveu is currently attempting to make women’s rugby the newest recognized competitive club sport at St. Edward’s. Neveu has been working closely with men’s rugby Head Coach Lachlan Ferguson and Director of Campus Recreation Andy Lemons since the beginning of the fall semester to begin the process, and is looking to launch the season this semester.

Although club sports do not receive funding from the University in their first year, Neveu is not deterred, and believes that the costs will still be manageable for all club members.

“It’s not going to be as expensive as the boy’s [rugby team],” Neveu said.

Networking has been a large part of Neveu’s effort to find support and equipment for a manageable budget. She has found “some people in the rugby world” who are interested in sponsoring the team, and plans on receiving equipment from the father of one of the team’s members, who owns a sporting store and is willing to help out the up-and-coming team. However, until there are enough funds to purchase the necessary equipment, Ferguson is willing to lend them the men’s equipment.

Neveu is also working with Ferguson to find a suitable head coach, and a potential candidate is currently being discussed. 

“We are not going to wait forever,” Neveu said.

Neveu is hoping that successful scrimmages this semester will convince Campus Recreation to fund them in the ’14-’15 season, and is looking forward to starting practices this semester.

“You have the field, you just have to do the rest,” Neveu said.

Although approximately 60% of the St. Edward’s student population is female, the women’s rugby team is still struggling to recruit and maintain members. According to Neveu, 25 girls have expressed interest in joining the team. However, she and team member Sara Barriot expect that number to drop as the season begins.

“I think we’re going to be a solid 10 and maybe 3 more,” Barriot said.

Both members believe that the drop in numbers will largely be attributed to the intensity of the sport.

“Don’t get tackled,” Barriot said, regarding in a word of advice to girls who are hesitant about joining. “Or stepped on.”