The Rugby Club United

The university's only unified men's and women's sports club is going from strength to strength

November brings colder weather, less sunlight, and deadline season, but for rugby players, it’s one of the best times of year. The club has long supported Movember, raising over £21k last year. Their fundraising efforts culminate in the annual Mo Ball, hosted at the end of November.

It’s been a strong season so far for the women’s first XV, who find themselves top of the league for the first time ever after an impressive victory over Edinburgh’s second team. The second team got off to an equally strong start, sitting third in the league after back-to-back wins.

The second team’s exceptional form is particularly important to third-year Rosie Grist, who joined the team after its formation in her first year.

A relationship with a sport is not always a linear one, and Grist’s relationship with rugby reflects that. She started playing at the age of thirteen, inspired by her mum, who played at university. Growing up in the Highlands, women’s rugby wasn’t particularly well-organised, and initially Grist played in men’s teams.

“I wore a bib so they wouldn’t tackle me and I wouldn’t tackle them,” she said. Eventually, Grist quit to dedicate herself to swimming, but her love for rugby never disappeared.

 Once at university, she did not join the rugby club straight away, but ultimately decided to reunite with the sport: “It was the best decision I’ve ever made. It was great to be back playing.”

Traditionally a men’s sport, the women’s game has not always been as popular as it is now. The women’s club at St Andrews began as a separate entity from the men’s club, practising with the Madras Rugby Club. The two clubs later merged to form the St Andrews Rugby Club we know today. The women’s club is still growing, having recently formed a third team.

The unified men’s and women’s club is unique to St Andrews. The majority of other sports clubs remain separate, whereas the Saints have come together on and off the pitch. “The way we manage our socials, together at Madras, and our group coaching means you can meet everyone from across the club,” says Jean van der Spuy, a second-year men’s player.

Everyone at the club works together to plan Mo Ball, and women’s and men’s club members sit together at one long table at the ball.

Last year, the club bridged the division on the pitch with touch rugby matches. Spearheaded by injured players Charlie Burns and Tilly Hammer, touch rugby has been a welcome addition to the club. “It’s really nice to have a point of contact where the men’s side and women’s side play together,” Grist explained. Both van der Spuy and Grist were on their way down to Nottingham for a BUCS touch rugby tournament on the day they spoke to The Saint.

The club takes most pride in its philanthropic work, which extends far beyond Movember. They work with the OddBalls Foundation, a charity supporting awareness of testicular cancer.

This summer, the club also announced a partnership with the Shamas Rugby Foundation. Through fundraising at their sevens tournament, the club was able to donate £1,000 to Shamas to fund Kenya’s first girls-only sevens tournament. The club’s dedication to charity seems to be ever-growing, and their new partnership with Shamas has already seen their efforts come to fruition.

While smaller than other rugby clubs, they have been able to build a strong community through both their athletic achievement and outreach efforts. This Movember continues to reflect that devotion.

Image provided by UStA Rugby