Ladies' Rugby

I've always thought that title is a bit of a misnomer, I mean how can you call a bunch of fit strong females playing what is traditionally a man's game 'ladies'? But that is what we are called: Beccehamians Ladies RFC. We have a website: Beccs Ladies. In nine days time I plan to play my last rugby game, for at least a season but maybe longer. It's not a decision I've made lightly, and it's only now that I'm starting to get a bit sad about it.
There are lots of reasons for stopping and I am not going to use my blog to justify myself. I love the game of rugby and I always will, it's gotten under my skin in the way no other sport ever has. I played a bit of hockey at school and enjoyed it until someone took at shot at goal and contacted with my face instead. I was forced to play netball but I'm big and cumbersome and prancing around a bit of tarmac in a short skirt was not my cup of tea, and my glorious career ended when I sprained my ankle and it went black. The girls I play with are lovely too and part of me regrets never really getting to know any of them properly. I guess I'm just not that good at making friends.
By stopping I am gifting myself with some more time. The last three years have been difficult trying to strike a balance between playing rugby on a Sunday afternoon and going to church on a Sunday evening. Whilst I feel good on the rugby pitch I feel fulfilled and alive in church. God has given me this great opportunity to use a gift that I never would have thought existed when I was younger - I am not sporty - and in rugby I found a game where you can be tall, and fat, not super fit, not girly and not cliquey and still you have a place and are accepted.
I may return, I cannot see the future and I don't like to close doors too firmly, but for now March 26th will see me don the number 4 shirt and take to the pitch for the last time in a while. Look after it girls, it's served me well. Hannah x