Reporting for Print and Web Presentation

Web Story: Local Community Center Provides Fresh Produce to Families in Need

The William Byrd Community House maintains an organic farmlet and offers food and health education in order to provide the surrounding community with access to fresh produce and knowledge of good eating habits. Read More >>

Audio Report: Farmer’s Market Promotes Sustainability

Vendors at the William Byrd Community House offer fresh and local produce to promote sustainability for the surrounding community. Listen Here >>

Slideshow: Farmlet Produce goes to Richmond Farmer’s Market

The William Byrd Community House hosts a weekly farmer’s market near the community garden. Local vendors operate stalls to bring fresh produce to the community. Watch Here >>

Diversity Story: Women’s Rugby Club at VCU: Proud to be a “Band of Misfits”

The club team accepts players of all backgrounds and skill levels to form a unique, welcoming community on and off the playing field. Read More >>

Breaking News: VCU Alum Talks about Career Success in Comic Industry

Virginia Commonwealth University graduate Reilly Brown presents his success as a comic artist for Marvel to current students. Read More >>

 

Women’s Rugby Club at VCU: Proud to Be a “Band of Misfits”

by Lauren N. Colie

Volunteer coaches discuss how to fall safely when tackled. Image by Lauren N. Colie.

In a flash of bright pink shorts and a Virginia Commonwealth University t-shirt, a rugby player soars into a muddy puddle. Her tackler extends a hand to help the dirt-splattered player to her feet as cheers of support echo across the field at Abner Clay Park.

President of the Women’s Rugby Club at VCU Liz Dodson beams at her “Ram Fam” through a film of dirt and sweat. In her third year as a student and club rugby player, Dodson attributes her happiness at VCU to the unique bonds made in the club.

Dodson said the team culture creates a close community, complete with team “mothers” and “daughters” to form a multi-generational family tree.

“Rugby became the reason I stayed at VCU,” Dodson said. “My favorite part is just that, if you needed anything, the team would be right there for you.”

Former club president Katheryne Lewis echoes Dodson’s appreciation of the rugby family. She said this “band of misfits” will accept anyone no matter her skill level.

Lewis graduated last December, but returns for practices to offer support and experience. Laughing, she describes a tournament with the University of Richmond in which the club had to select a name to compete: the Unicorns.

“Unicorns are unique and special,” Lewis said. “You don’t see them that often, and, if you believe in them, they’re real.” Lewis applies this metaphor to the club, reflecting on the varied backgrounds of the players.

Club treasurer Kyra Kilfeather played soccer up through high school, and said rugby culture surprised her when she switched sports.

“Soccer can be really clique-y,” she said. “Rugby was refreshing because it was so welcoming.”

Club treasurer Kyra Kilfeather holds up one of the team’s old jerseys. Image by Lauren N. Colie.

Kilfeather holds up a well-worn jersey and points to the number on the back. A black number nine has been shaded with permanent marker to look like an eight.

She said the jersey is one example of how funding a club team through VCU can be a struggle. However, Kilfeather said the current leadership board is improving the situation and new jerseys will be ordered in the near future.

Player Kyra Watson said the stereotypes about female rugby players do not apply. While it is a high-contact sport, Watson said players are taught how to play safely and avoid injuries.

“You don’t have to be a tomboy,” Watson said. “Anyone can play rugby.”

Coach Alison Spillane played rugby for VCU from 2003 to 2007, and said she always felt something was missing in the experience under the male coaches. Spillane said they did a great job, but that she envisioned the organization reaching beyond rugby to encompass academia, sisterhood and empowerment.

She said the team offers a place for people from both sides of the political aisle, different religions, ethnicities and living situations to “add value.” Spillane said she hopes to instill responsibility in the players not only to themselves and VCU, but to women everywhere.

“Rugby is something you can be proud of,” Spillane said. “And, you get to get dirty while doing it.”

Discussing Diversity

The word “diversity” is one of those loaded terms that can mean a lot of different things depending on your perspective – whether you examine it from a legal standpoint or a more abstract interpretation. I looked up the dictionary definition, and it is “the state of being diverse” or “a range of things” – neither of these definitions is particularly clear. In legal terms, typically a government definition under the heading of civil rights, “diversity” is supposed to refer to demography, like differences in race, religion, color, gender, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, age or education.

However, I think these are both rather narrow visions of “diversity.” One point I always find important is diversity in thought and opinion – it’s great to reflect on politically correct topics like religion or race, but for something to be truly diverse, a range of thoughts need to be expressed safely and openly.

When we focus on “diversity” in reference to only one’s background, we ignore other important applications in daily life. 

The other issue I note in this line of thinking is not just that we must recognize the other forms of diversity that warrant awareness, we must recognize the ability to express or display diversity (through words, actions or appearances) is essential in promoting and sustaining diversity. Some would question why we even should promote and sustain diversity, and this comes down to a matter of fairness. Something that is fair is reasonably objective until a decision is made – in the case of journalism, for an article to be fair, it should be objective. For it to be objective, it should be diverse in scope. As journalists, we should be aware of and apply all forms of diversity in our work for the fullest, roundest story possible.