If you watch the Gators Rugby Football Club practice you'll hear something a little unexpected. Amid the grunts and guttural cussing of men, some of the voices are higher pitched, but just as intense. Some of the figures crashing into one another seem smaller than the others, but refuse to flinch.

Wait a second. Is that a woman?

On the club's Web site, the team's profile proclaims that SF State rugby prides itself on including anyone, letting each individual prove their mettle.

It is certainly a statement and standard to be proud of. Especially since out of the many rugby clubs in San Francisco, SF State is one of only two teams to be co-ed.

"We know that we're going to have to go out there and hit people just like the guy's team," rugby team member Brittany Rickman, said with a laugh. "And we know that we are going to have to take some hits as well."

While the members of the SF State women's rugby team are still tackling and scoring conversions during practice with their men teammates, they finally had the chance this semester to play matches against other women.

"This is the first year we've had a legit women's team," player Julie Mills said.
Mills is in her second season playing rugby at SF Sate and was last semester's team captain.

But the team got a boost at the beginning of the semester when both divisions of the student-run rugby club finally became affilated with SF State.

"There's been a lot more dedication this semester," said Rickman, who is playing rugby for the second semester.

A new wave of tackle-happy players has come with affiliation. This passed fall marked the first time the team had enough players for the women to even have their own separate team.

"We have about 10 girls solid, but it varies. It can still be difficult to field a whole team," said Mills.

Factors such as busy work and school schedules along with finals at the end of the semester have also made it hard for the women to field a full team.

Although their season's calendar has always mirrored the men's team, with the season running from late February to late April, they were never able to field a team and have actual games like the men did.

The women got a chance to take some aggression out on fellow female rugby enthusiasts back in March when they combined teams with University of San Francisco to play a non-regulation match against St. Mary's. Even though the team lost due to a last minute penalty, they felt they played well with the women from the USF team.

"It's always interesting when two different teams haven't ever practiced together and they can mix so well," club treasure Paige Mercurio said.

The team got to mix with the USF women's team again during a season ending mini-tournament. SF State and USF combined forces and competed in two separate games against rugby teams from Santa Cruz and Santa Clara.

"We are a young team," Rickman said. "We are hoping to get more opportunities to play next season."