1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
​
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.​
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
​
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.​
All donations made are tax deductible.
Mentoring relationships have widespread benefits for mentors, mentees, and the organizations to which they belong. The WRCRA Mentors Initiative seeks to provide a means through which WRCRA members can share knowledge and ideas, while developing the relationships and networks that can support and sustain them in their work.
HISTORY​
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The WRCRA Mentors Initiative came about after we reviewed a recent survey of WRCRA members. The survey revealed that while a high percentage of members are interested in mentorship the reasons for seeking mentorship varied. Some expect a mentor to help them with networking and access to developmental opportunities, others hope to gain advice about technical skills, practice plans, activity design, and insight into player psychology. Although many of those surveyed believed they would benefit from a having a ‘single’ mentor, most preferred discussions with multiple experts or with one or more of their peers. This preference likely reflects the reality that traditional mentoring relationships between women can be difficult to develop and maintain as women tend to be geographically widespread - working alone or primarily with male colleagues.
Photo Credit: KJ Paynter,
2018 Women In Rugby
Conference
INITIATIVE DETAILS​
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The WRCRA Mentors Initiative is a virtual program with 5-8 participants meeting online to discuss a question or problem. These groups might meet once a month for 60-90 minutes or on a schedule that meets participants’ needs. Group membership could be’ fluid or fixed’. Fluid membership would guarantee interest in the chosen topic; fixed membership would likely lead to more lasting relationships and sense of community.
Possible topics for a coaching group might be:
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How to best develop technical and decision/making skills at the point of contact
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How to improve players’ field vision/decision-making skills
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How to choose a defensive structure.
Using the coaching group example, participants would share or be given a pre-conversation reading, specific scenario, problem to solve or video clip. They would then talk through their thoughts in an online video chat. In the best case scenario, the topic of the conversation would provide the impetus to discuss technical factors to be successful, activity/session design, how/when to provide feedback to generate or support change, and other aspects of coaching.
Groups will be developed for refereeing, sport psychology, fundraising or other areas of interest as determined by WRCRA members. The goal is not only to discuss topics and get different opinions and ideas, but also to develop supportive relationships and regional support networks for women's rugby.
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SIGN UP​
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Interested in being involved in the WRCRA Mentors Initiative?
Contact Martha at mjdaines@gmail.com.
Photo Credit: KJ Paynter,
2018 Women In Rugby Conference