What to know
- Who can participate: Everybody, regardless of experience level
- Meeting days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Meeting time: 6-8 p.m.
- Meeting location: Upper South Fields
About the club
We’re going to need a bigger field.
Those looking to sink their teeth into club rugby can find the perfect opportunity with The Lady Sharks. This NAU team plays in the Southwest Rugby Union’s women’s division, competing in tournaments and regular friendly matches throughout the year. Athletes may thrash, fight and tackle on the field, but off the field, they make a splash with their eccentric, tight-knit team traditions.
Q&A
Paige Hammarstrom is a sophomore undergrad majoring in political science and international affairs. For two years, she’s been vice president of Lady Sharks Women’s Rugby. Learn more about the full-contact sport, its unique team rituals and how to become a regular player.
For the uninitiated, how does one play rugby?
Rugby involves two teams who attempt to score points by carrying, passing or kicking the ball into the other team’s scoring area, also known as the try zone. Players can only pass the ball sideways or backward, so they must run forward or kick it ahead to gain ground. A team scores by touching the ball down in the end zone for a try or by kicking the ball through the goalposts.
In terms of player formation on the field, the defense forms a horizontal line, intending to stop opponents by tackling them. After a tackle, the game keeps moving as teams compete for the ball. Rugby is fast-paced, physical and requires teamwork and strategy.
Tell us a bit about this club’s history. How was it formed? What is your mission statement?
Some of the specifics of our history haven’t been recorded, but what I do know is that the women’s branch of Flagstaff rugby started in the early 2000s under the name The Timberdoodles.
Back in the day, women’s rugby was niche. Therefore, the club stayed relatively small until recent years. Personally, I attribute the sudden popularity of women’s rugby in the U.S to Ilona Maher and the 2024 Olympic team.
Throughout the years, however, our mission statement has stayed the same. We strive to create an inclusive yet competitive environment. Our players challenge one another athletically and support one another emotionally. We hope to represent NAU, our club and the rugby community positively, reflecting the truly amazing culture that exists within the sport.
How and why did you get involved with Lady Sharks Rugby?
Personally, my father found The Lady Sharks and thought that it would be a good fit for me. I grew up playing softball, but I decided to retire after high school. In lieu of a competitive outlet, I was in need of a new sport. Rugby was specifically interesting due to the apparent toughness of all rugby players. It seemed like a challenge, which was exactly what I was looking for. The Lady Sharks were incredibly welcoming and willing to teach someone who had no previous rugby experience. Now that I am a veteran player, I can confidently say that we are more than happy to take any experience level.
What do game and tournament schedules look like?
The Lady Sharks recently moved up a division, which has given the team more game opportunities. As women’s rugby is still a somewhat niche sport, our last division, Division III, lacked opponents. This has changed with our promotion. This season, we have played nine regular season matches and three preseason matches, a record for the club. Additionally, we competed in two tournaments during our preseason. We expect to play a similar number of matches next season.
Outside of games, we do various team bonding activities. One of my favorites is thrifted prom dress rugby in the spring. At the end of every season, we play a casual game in thrifted prom dresses. This is just a fun way to unwind together after working hard all season. The dresses tend to get torn up in the process as well.
As far as other off traditions go, we have lots of little things like this that other clubs would probably find unusual. This mostly has to do with the age of rugby culture and the uniqueness of the demographic. After the season is over, we have some end-of-the-year celebrations and banquets where we give out various awards.
What factors make rugby a uniquely “social” sport?
Social interaction, specifically with one’s opponents, is built into the foundation of rugby. It is customary that the hosting team throws what is known as a “social” following every match. These are opportunities to get to know both the members of your team as well as the members of your opposing team. One may assume the intense aggression seen on the pitch translates to the socials afterward. In reality, it is quite the opposite.
There is a saying that rugby is a gentleman’s sport played by hooligans. The rules are designed for players to protect and respect one another within the confines of a contact sport. This respect and admiration for both your fellow players and the sanctity of the sport is shared among all ruggers. This leads to a tight community and close relationships between teams.
What inspired the team’s name?
You know, it’s somewhat hard to trace. The men’s team, the Land Sharks, obviously came up with the name first. That team was formed in 1979, so it’s hard to tell where exactly the name came from. If I had to guess, it was chosen on a whim by the handful of hooligans who founded the team. Funky team names are common in rugby. They can be categorized with some of our other odd traditions.
The women’s team went by The Timberdoodles for a period, and that name, I can presume, was a play on our city’s pine trees. If I had to estimate, the switch happened sometime between 2015 and 2018.
Tell us about a favorite memory you have from your time with Lady Sharks Rugby.
Picking a favorite memory is a difficult task. Various team events and hangouts have left me with countless memories. I will say our annual Christmas white elephant exchange is an event that sticks out. Some incredibly long-lasting jokes and warm memories have come out of white elephant.
What advice do you have for someone looking to join the team?
Get out there and try rugby out. I will admit the sport is not for everyone’s lifestyle. With that being said, there are no restraints regarding physicality or experience.
The beautiful thing about rugby is there is a position for every body type, and very few people join the sport with previous game experience. We are always in need of players, so if you think you might be even a little interested, you should definitely come out for practice. We also accept new players year-round. It’s the kind of thing where you’ll never know if you like it unless you try it.
Find out more about Lady Sharks Women’s Rugby and its upcoming seasons by following @ladysharksrugby on Instagram.