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When in Glasgow

This is an article on how we can find cool people in our lives through the rugby and how I feel

like the luckiest person in the world. I became a rugby player in a odd way: I started training

with the guys on the team from Rio Grande do Norte in Natal and practiced with them for over

a year before I can gather enough girls to play.

I was in the last year of university (I am now a philosophy teacher) and was too much to learn

about the sport but Ive been all my life a supporter of the idea if its love the age doesnt

matter, and with rugby it could not be different. So I played under the circumstances that as

they presented themselves. As has been said elsewhere, rugby here in the northeast of Brazil

has is slow development, here has always been hard to get 10 girls to train.

Finally, after coaching and captaining several different formations, in the 2009 Womens Rugby

Potiguar was dissolved and I let go the idea of playing rugby. Still Ive got some playing in a

circuit phase of Northeast Seven's this year, but without one-third of physical or technical

preparation I've ever had.

Then I visited my older brother, who lives in Glasgow, Scotland. Before traveling, talking with

my former coach and good friend Davide, I fancy the idea of putting my boots on the suitcase,

"Just in case" as they would say in English.

After watching the Final of the championship XV (England X New Zeland), that rugby fever hit

me again. Who plays rugby knows what I'm talking about. Watch that game ignited the flame

inside my heard. After a while I was chatting with a friend and she said: "Rugby is receptive

sport, theres no need not be ashamed, look for this team here, somebody told me theyre

awesome...." and sent me the link. I swallowed hard and wrote: "Can you watch a training

session and a woman named Sindy replied:" hello, of course you can, you can even join us and

play on Sunday. "

I was so excited about the email, but I was ashamed of not playing at the same level girls team,

so I only watch the first day. Frankly, just watch is very annoying. When the opportunity came,

I picked up my boots and went to train. The team was the University of Glasgow team,

GUWRFC (Glasgow University Women's Rugby football club) but they call themselves Badgers.

I went to attend the Taster Session, ie the first train of the year, where everyone who is

starting college and wants to start training rugby goes. When I arrived at the rendezvous point

and saw forty girls, and man I was so happy! Friends from all over Brazil! There's nothing moreexciting to a rugby player than to see 40 other players.

From there my experience with the Badgers can be summarized in three words: Fun, fun and

fun. I spend about 20 days with them and wish they had been 200.

The first is the fun, its the fun of arriving in a train session and find no less than 30 girls there. I

know it is early season and all, but hey, for those who could not join seven girls, most of the

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time, 30 is the most beautiful thing in the world. I was totally excited, like a version of myself

at 15, heavily medicated and hyperactive.

Above all, train with a woman calling the shots is terrific. Tack ended up giving most of the

drills I have seen, and may not seem like much, but after less than four workouts, I believe I am

better player than before. Training with a rugby coach and 30 girls, that's what I call FUN.

The second fun, I like to call it fun is the third time. Just as we know it, but a la Badger. For

them, it is divided into two or three phases (perhaps four or five, but dont spread!). If the

celebration is a meeting after the Taster Session, they will do it in two: Pub and Viper (a

nightclub) If the third time is after the game, there will be three phases: confraternization, Pub

and Viper. In both cases it is about drinking pints (the equivalent of 600ml of beer), games,

alcoholics nicknames (which they all have and a fresher acquires only after a memorable

event) and then go out to dance.

As interesting as playing with them is to have fun with them. Even better than it is to receive

the next day MAR (morning after report) notes from everyone on the night before. The MAR isa disturbing email, because tough youre present when the events occurredk, you never know

everything that happened until the MAR arrive the next day.

Third, as important as the others, there is the main fun. The top of the chain of fun: nothing is

more fun than play rugby with these women. Every minute spent with them in the pitch is

nothing but amazing. I think in total I played some 50 minutes between the two games against

Melrose and against Cartha. I played wing (never played it in my life) and I am absolutely sure

I responsible us to have a few tries against us. But you think they yelled at me? No. I mean

they scream, especially Jenny and Lily, "Mara, go back to your position" or "Mara, what are

you doing here?"

Losing, playing well or not, the most beautiful things happen on the pitch, a few moments

where rugby is the best sport ever. Moments when other people inspire you, being right there,

beside you. When game is stopped. Everyone says: "This game is not over" or "hold your head

high ", thats ok" and more than that, someone yells from outside, as Sindy had done so well.

There are people who inspire cause they share your enthusiasm in playing rugby, my friend

Merc is that person. Others accept you in the field exactly as you are, Liz accepted me as

crazy as I am. Some people amaze without talking much, Karen, its not only the captain, shes

the leader. Off the field, she doesnt talk much, you know? Inside the line she throws

everything, absolutely everything she has. She tears down anyone that appears in her way, if

this is not inspirational... I dont know what is... As I said earlier, Its absolutely fun to play withthe Badgers against another team.

On my visit to Scotland, I couldnt find James McAvoy like my friends wanted me to do, did not

bring a stock of whiskey for the year. What I brought were good memories: of places, food,

people and the ever-growing friendship with my brother. However, my most precious gift,

from my trip to Glasgow, is not a photo, a train ticket or an object, is a feeling.

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Rugby is the sport that makes you feel part of something bigger than you, I was fortunate to be

able to feel, thanks to the wonderful women GUWRFC as a Badger, even for a short time.

If you ask me I would say that what you shouldnt miss about Glasgow is this feeling. Its not

written in tourist brochures and is not cast as one of the biggest attractions, but its the best

part of the Glasgow experience. So, when in Glasgow, try to Badger you too, its fucking fun!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the people who introduced me to rugby, William and

Davide and Karllinha, who encouraged me, gave support, friendship and affection. Thank you.