1

NINA MEHMI

A few written words.

2

A little bit about nina:

I am a third year undergraduate student studying a philosophy at the Uni-

versity of Kent. A very keen rugby player, obsessed horse owner and addict-

ed to anything vintage. I hope you enjoy my random ramblings.

3

CONTENTS

4-

Women in Rugby: Beauty

and The Beast.

6-

Hairdresser etiquette

7-

Life in the day of a tall girl

4

I was shocked by the naive views that were be-

lieved towards women in sport, especially wom-

en in rugby. Overhearing mummers of conversa-

tions that labelled women as ‘unfit’ ‘ butch’ and

‘fat’. All said for playing a sport, all said from an

ignorant position, and all said without meeting a

member of the team.

I found it amusing hearing a group of boys in-

specting the Women’s rugby naked calendar, and

stating ‘these rugby are actually quite fit.’ What

is it that they were expecting to see? is the ques-

tion that comes to mind.

It seems absurd that people have to categorise

individuals when considering what sport they

play. Cheerleaders- “promiscuous”, Equestrian-

“pretentious”, and netball- “girlie”. Sexuality,

height, weight are factors that are not considered

when someone joins rugby, but it seems at times

that this is all the general

public focus on when talk-

ing about women’s rugby. Upon arrival to the club

individuals are asked if they have played before?,

and have they any injuries? Yet, the expectation of

the grilling is perceived to more like this: ‘sexual

orientation?’ ‘weight?’ oh and ‘how fast can you

down a pint?’. This expectation is very different

from the reality of what a women’s rugby as a

club is.

Even after meeting you in person people still ques-

tion that you play women’s rugby, as you are not

what they perceive to be a women’s rugby player.

Simply, because I am not largely overweight, a les-

bian or bordering looking like a man, it seems hard

for people to therefore process that I play what

they consider a “man’s game”. Individuals witness

the sport of rugby only see the aggression, fighting

and the massive drinking culture that is attached to

the sport. Most importantly they only see men

playing the game. The main reasons behind this

view could be due to the wider gender stereotyping

in society. Men are seen to be the professional

sporting players, so this is what the societal expec-

tation of all sport has been.

What people do not witness is a group of girls tak-

ing part in a sport that they love. At university it is

fair to say at times I had forgotten that I was here

MONTH YEAR

Women in Rugby: Beauty and The Beast.

As the chairwoman of a thriving Women's Rugby team at the University of Kent I

was intrigued by the array of opinions people held towards the sport that I have

come to love.

“ If you come out of a match NOT covered in

mud, it is a DISSAPPOINTMENT” Rosie Corney, Universi-

ty of Kent Women's

Rugby

5

to study for a degree in philosophy. Often,

wrongly prioritising my time, 90% rugby, 10%

degree. Rugby had allowed me to become part of

a tightknit community in which a common inter-

est is shared.

After people have recovered from the shellshock

of women playing rugby, the barrier of the kind

of rugby women play arises. “Oh you play full

contact?” is the reoccurring question women in

rugby are asked. Yes, we might have to wear

two sports bra’s. Yes, it hurts and we bruise and

Yes we do tackle. Previ-

ously, it would aggravate

me that others would assume that being a woman

means that you lack the ability to be able to play a

certain sport. However, I know feel somewhat mo-

tivated by this consensus, as it allows me to dis-

prove the presumptuous attitude to women’s rugby.

Rugby has taught me many things: The rain is not

as bad as it seems. It is fun, it means there will be

lots of mud. “Injury?!” What injury?! Players

would sacrifice their own welfare for you on that

pitch, and you would do the same for them. There

seems to be some kind of unspoken unity and com-

fort that we feel, every player is aware of just how

much the other is aching, but we would never stop

trying as you are playing as a team. Ultimately,

rugby has taught me to ignore the stereotypes, and

to carry on doing the thing you love.

Rugby is a community, a group of like-minded

people, man or woman, taking part in a sport that

they are passionate about. A unity is created in any

community you are involved with: be it rugby;

school; the church. Judgement should not be based

on the stereotype that those external to a situation

perceive to fit with that group of people. The con-

stant need to attach labels to everything can begin

to add negative and unnecessary attention that

would possibly alienate a group in society. Sport is

something that should be accessible to everyone,

regardless of gender, sexuality or body type.

6

Being away at university meant I had to change

my normal routine, this included finding a new

hairdresser. I had never considered before just

how awkward it is having a haircut by some-

one for the first time.. the awkward small talk,

do I polite accept or decline the drink offer?,

Do I ask for the mirror to be adjusted so I can

actually see what is happening? Is it rude to

read my book? Here are some tips to get you

through your next hair appointment,.

DO- Engage in the small talk

DON’T – Sit awkwardly in silence

DO- Smile even if they keep catch-

ing your ear on the straighteners

DON’T – Burst into tears if you hate

the cut

DO- Accept the drink suggestion

DON’T – Answer your phone

DON’T – Decline the offer of maga-

zines – especially if you are

having colour done. 3 hours is

a long time

“ Is that

tempera-

ture ok for

you?”

Hairdresser Etiquette

The Do’s and the Don'ts

“ Have I just asked my hairdresser to PROM?! ”

Hairdresser:“ Have fun at your prom”

My reply:“ Thanks you too….”

7

I am a 6 foot girl, which comes a

quite a shock to some people, espe-

cially if they have only ever seen me

sitting down. The big reveal comes

with the standup, then the flurry of

remarks and daily struggles rush in:

‘Oh wow, you are very tall’- well, yes, why

thank you. I am very aware of this– I live everyday as

a 6foot human being. I am not commenting on your

‘average’ height.

The ‘D Day’- Denim day. I think most will agree that

finding the right pair of jeans is always a struggle.

They are either just to snug round the waist, hang off

the hips, or simply just not very ‘you’!! Well, finding

jeans that accommodate the longer legs, is forever a

challenge. They may tell you they are ‘Extra-long', 'for

the tall girls’ or ‘ok, if you wore them with long

boots’. I have now just come to terms with the fact that

every pair of jeans I own I pass off as Capri style

jeans.

The shoe situation- now this is where things get real-

ly tricky. With extra height, comes extra length in feet.

The Size 9 (43)- for women. This is fine if you want to

walk about in Men’s brogue’s everyday (yes, I am the

proud owner of some!). However, sometimes it is nice

to dress your feet in a delicate shoe. If luck is on your

side then there more shops that are beginning to stock

size 9 on a regular basis, just make sure you get there

before all of the other tall girls to get the best pick…

Leg room, well lack of- this is not only on flights,

but any public transport, the cinema, even dining ta-

bles. I am now a pro of the polite sided legged sit-

both legs to the same side ( you get the gist…). Then

the impolite, and unavoidable wide legged sit- this is a

full on spread, let’s just hope you have a scarf or some-

thing to disguise your dignity.

The awkward photo- ‘let’s get a group photo’, these

words, for many come with no second thought. For the

tall one in the group, there is lots to consider…. ‘ Do I

crouch down, so that my head hasn’t been cut out?’, ‘I

have been put in the back row, so can I even be seen?’

and ‘How can I not look like a giant against my petite

friends?’

Sports- I won’t fool anyone to believing that us tall

girls can pass as dainty ballet dancers, but we do have

massive advantages in other sports. Basketball, Row-

ing, and Rugby, to name but a few. Being part of these

sports, come the stereotypical positions. Netball- ‘ Are

you goal shooter?’. Rugby- ‘Well you must be second-

row?’. In general-: ‘ Oh wow you are tall, do you play

basketball?’.. ‘Oh, no’.. ‘Oh, must be rowing then?’…

Yes, being tall comes with a free pass for anyone that

wishes to comment on your height, but hey, there are

massive advantages: Never losing your friends in a

nightclub as you can see over everyone’s heads, hav-

ing a natural advantage in some sports and being re-

membered, even if it is for being the ‘tall girl’.

.Fun Facts: Average HEIGHT Man: 5ft 9in. Women: 5ft 3in. Average age to get

Average age to wed in UK: Man: 30.8. Women 28.8

Tallest Man: 8 ft 11 in Women: 7ft7.5 in.

Life in the day of a tall girl A girl above 5 foot 10”. REALLY?!

8

A few written words.