By Jahrel Francis/ Staff Writer
In his fifth year of coaching, Head Coach Trevor Alfred looks to finish the season off well.
The Women’s Rugby Club at FIU has an outstanding team and they show it every time they get onto the field. Within the Florida Rugby Union, they seem to continue their indomitable streak having a 7-0 record.
“The Finals are in Stanford, California, May 9 through May 11,” Alfred said. “But right now we’re preparing for the South Championships, which is in Atlanta, and that’s April 25 through April 27.”
With Alfred having his whole life in rugby along with most of his family he knows what needs to be done. Constantly working hard at the intramural fields and using the Panther Garage as their personal stairs workout, the team is readying themselves for the national competition.
On the field and off the field, the club sets to excel and develop a standing where they can focus on the game. Lilian Penczac serves as the club’s fundraising chair as a former player. With this, the team goes out for car washing, canning busy streets and searching for sponsorships. Everyone takes part with the fundraising and they basically have to support themselves with all the expenses. Most, if not all, of the money goes toward travel expenses and hotel stays for the final competitions.
“These young ladies have been doing this for almost five years now out of pocket basically. We get some fundraising from the school but most of it we fundraise and that’s part of the ladies drive and determination. They work hard for it so they really have a vested interest in this team,” Alfred said.
Having the money fall into place the team has a love within itself and for the sport. Leandria “Lele” Ates and Kimberly Semiglia serve as the team’s co-captains. Known as Lele by the team, thinking they can win it all, Ates studies biomedical and mechanical engineering as a junior in her second season with the team. Junior Semiglia, majoring in social work, is also the club’s president.
With the participation of the entire team, every player advances. This team is dependent on one another and there is no clear star player as one can’t advance individually without everyone else.
“We’re as strong as our weakest link,” Ates said.
Being one strong unit for so long the game becomes more than just a running with a ball on the field. Bonds are formed and goals are achieved. Many have seem this same team on the flag football in when the intramural was in season. Showing out in flag football one can clearly see there is chemistry and work performed as an unit
“I love the girls. They’re family. There’s nothing that can break us,” Ates said. “ We’ve been through up and downs, but as you can tell it’s ride or die.”
Having the team go to new heights and being so successful, there is a new frontier to conquer. Everyone seems to be on the same page to get where they want to be. That desired position is in the NCAA.
“I would love to stay here, and i would love to see the program go fully collegiate, fully NCAA, with the proper funding and support from the academic community as well.” Alfred said.
With these ambitions, everything isn’t so simple to earn.
“First we have to prove ourselves to be thought about,” Semiglia said.
The South Championships brings competition from a great region. The first round of the tournament seems to be achievable but not underestimated by the team and it explains why they are out at practice all the time. From there the competition gets more difficult.
Following the South Championships the finals will be located on the West Coast. In Stanford there are potentially the best competition the team has ever seem but simultaneously the team is preparing to be the best that they have ever been. In turn the team will have to raise the bar and perform.
“It’s going to be definitely difficult but I want to see how the girls persevere as a whole,” Ates said.
The team has their head high and feet pointed toward success.
“I feel awesome. We have such a chance of winning and the dedication we need; i’m just excited,” Semiglia said.
South Championships, the Finals and NCAA. Three great targets to shoot for with experienced and inexperienced individuals on the team. Every goal is thought to be attainable but none is overlooked. Working harder than ever practices are more rigorous with purpose to get each of them to the best shape and ability to work even better as a team with players skill sets varied but natural physical talent clearly recognized.
-jahrel.francis@fiusm.com
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