Now that a women’s rugby club has made its way to Dixie State University, students will see what happens when gender roles are crossed in a conservative town.
These girls are here to stay.
Angelina Ieremia, a sophomore general education major from Hayward, Calif., and the president of the women’s rugby club, has been in the process of setting up the club with the help of coach Brett Binghom. They are getting it ready for rugby matches.
She is trying to get the team approved through Dixie State so the team can represent the university in international tournaments. In order to be approved, the team has to be registered for the USE conference. Each team has to pay $150 to $200 and each player has to pay $35 to register.
“We are registered in the Las Vegas 15 game,” said Doreen Ieremia, a junior respiratory therapy major from Hayward, Calif.
Competing in tournaments will put the club on the map.
“We plan on starting to play tournaments in January,” she said.
The team hopes to make it to The International USA tournament in Las Vegas in February, where teams from other schools across the country compete.
Ieremia said support from the men’s rugby club has been helpful.
“I feel that I was lucky to have such a positive support from the men’s rugby team,” she said. “They saw that the girls and I were serious, and they saw how devoted we are, which gained their respect.”
If DSU wants to be a reputable team, the women will need Red Storm uniforms.
“I know it is hard for student’s funds and all, so we are trying to work with students,” she said. “We are also trying to get more equipment and uniforms. We have started to plan fund raisers and socials to help raise funds and get DSU and Dixie community involved. All the help we can get from the community and the school would be appreciated.”
Right now, the club practices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on the south end of the football field from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will keep students posted of socials and other upcoming events. For further information on the rugby club and club events, go to dixie.edu and go to groups.
