The Women’s Rugby Club at Michigan Tech isn’t just about competition – it’s about building a safe, encouraging and community-based environment for all those looking to explore the sport.
“The purpose of our club is to teach as many new people who want to learn about rugby,” said president Janae Koetje. “We really practice safe rugby here—because the only thing better than playing rugby is being able to play it for a really long time.”
Safety comes first, but there’s plenty of competition that comes with it. Last weekend, on Oct. 11, the club traveled to Eau Claire to compete against a Division II opponent. Ahead of the match, club leadership described the game as a tough matchup but a valuable experience for new members. “Our rugby team is classified as Division III. So we’re playing outside of our division… but it’ll be a good experience for the team to play at a higher level of rugby.” The club competes in the Great Waters Conference along with schools from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. During the fall season they play around four to five games and a conference tournament, while in the spring season the club focuses on smaller seven-on-seven or ten-on-ten games. This spring, the club has the opportunity to travel to Nashville for one of its most anticipated tournaments of the year.
During the fall, the club generally practices twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Michigan Tech’s soccer fields. Come winter, the club migrates practice to the Student Development Complex (SDC) in the multipurpose room and utilizes mats to ensure safe contact.
Beyond the field, the club prioritizes cultivating an inclusive and encouraging environment for everyone. Members put on team bonding events such as team dinners, visits to Mont Ripley, and an upcoming pumpkin carving event. The club is not only a space to compete, but also a social community to find like-minded people.
As the fall season approaches its end, the Women’s Rugby club remains focused on providing a supportive environment for women at Tech to stay active, compete, and make friends. Those interested in finding out more about the club can visit their Instagram page @womensrugbymtu or search for them on Involvement Link.
