My love for the game
Hi all! I hope you’re okay. I’d like to start off by saying a big thanks for all the support you’ve given me this past week regarding my first blog. I’m thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed reading it. This week’s blog continues to focus on my love for the game but also how it inspired me to set up a rugby team of my own. I’ll also be discussing my Arthritis diagnosis but how I had to discover other ways to be involved in the game.
In September 2015, I joined Long Road College in Cambridge. It was only really when I joined that I expressed my love for the game infront of new people and my teachers. I plucked up the courage to ask the PE department whether I could set up a girls rugby team. I wanted to promote the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign and show everyone that it’s a game for both genders. They said yes and the boys rugby coach said he’d help coach us too. I was delighted and created posters and flyers to put up around the college. I then emailed all of the female students. I had to email every week but by Christmas, there were about ten students who would turn up every week. We named ourselves: ‘The Long Road Panthers’ and I was elected Captain. It wasn’t easy and some weeks, we’d have only a couple of students. I didn’t give up though and overall, it was successful. Our coach was fantastic and he never missed a session. He would teach us the basics and taught us how to tackle. We’d then play mini games and he would referee. A small group of us ended up being invited to play for the National Championships in Nottingham a year later. It was an eye opening experience. My work in the field of rugby was recognised by the RFU who appointed me as a Young Rugby Ambassador. This involved promoting the game in my local area and at the college. I also attended conferences at Twickenham to share my experiences with other Young Rugby Ambassadors.
A year later after playing our first touch game, I discovered some pain in my ankles. I put it down to over exerting myself and stopped for a month to give my body time to rest. Unfortunately, this didn’t help and the pain was worsening. I started to endure pain all over my body and it would come on suddenly. I’d be in agony most days but would put on a brave face. I was referred to a Rhumetologist after numerous Doctors appointments and blood tests. 2 years on, I was diagnosed with Palindromic Rheumatism, a type of Arthritis. I was 19 and although relieved to finally get an answer, I was also in a state of shock and devastated to not be able to play rugby again. After various cocktails, I eventually found drugs my body could tolerate. Over the last 18 months, I have learnt to accept the diagnosis. With counselling, I’ve learnt how to manage the pain. Despite being off some considerable time, I completed my college course and achieved the grades I needed. I now work in a Nursery, pursuing my dream of working with children.
Although I couldn’t participate in playing, I’d sit and watch from the sidelines and when I could, I would referee. I was there to lend a hand and coach my team to the best of my ability. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason and I still do. Unfortunately some things aren’t meant to be but I’ve learnt a lot: Never give up (there is light at the end of the tunnel), it’s okay to have bad days, some days are better than others. You have to look at the bigger picture and see how far you’ve come and finally, to accept help. By accepting help, I’ve made myself and my family happier by being able to talk about my emotions.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know what you’d like me to talk about next in the comments below.
Love Elizabeth x
