Te Mana

For my first essay in my english class we had to write a narrative (story) about a turning point in your life and how you've changed. The two things that came to mine were some sort of family trial but everyone always does that, my second thought was rugby! I hope you enjoy it, and if there are mistakes, which there might be just don't try to notice it, okay:) ?? 

Enjoy.

“Seniors! Clap it up!” As all of our hands clap together in the same motion and beat the sound echoes across the field and seems to hit the mountain next to us. “SC!” We each take steps closer and closer together going along with the beat. “Ladies!” We all smile and look into each others eyes, burning with determination and such pride. “Rugby!” Huddled in a group so close together with our hands all raised towards the sky I can feel everyones racing hearts and their fast breathing from yelling. “Warriors on two! Warriors on two! One! Two! Warriors!” We all jump up and down with excitement, adrenaline rushing through us all. We all seemed to be glowing. The first Snow Canyon Girls Rugby team takes the field for the first time to battle for the state title.

BYU Rugby Camp - Us with the guys!

Rugby is not football and soccer combined. They have nothing in common and they certainly can not compare to the words Te Mana. This game is unlike any other sport I have ever seen, played, or felt. The game looks brutal and rough on the field but there is so much more within when it comes to this basic game. Around Snow Canyon High School, the words Te Mana is the very center of the rugby club program. Whenever someone sees those words, or hears those words, they know they’re meant for the Snow Canyon boys and girls rugby club. Te mana means the power, and in those two words so many things

 come into play with not only the game of rugby but with our lives.

Fifteen girls against another fifteen girls who are willing to give up themselves for the game and for their teammates. A total of thirty girls all on one field that’s longer than a football field and wider than a soccer field who are all racing against the clock trying to make it down the field for a try, what you would call in football as a touchdown. The point system is fairly easy five points for a try, two for a complete kick, and three for a complete penalty kick. In rugby you can not pass forward at anytime, so having to pass and receive the ball is very crucial to the game since it is such a fast pace game and nonstop. 

 Winning our first game!

There are two things I believe this game can not thrive without, support and timing. Having support is very important, and is what keeps people from getting injured. It is always a great feeling to know that while you have the ball and your running you can always depend on your team members to be right there with you running, pushing, and supporting you all the way down the field. Having good timing plays a big role in the game. You can’t miss a beat on a pass or when you are supporting a player and starting a play to run. On and off the pitch we as rugby players will always support one another in everyday life. I know for a fact that the girls team is truly like family, we are all sisters and we all care for, and love each others well being. We will always have each others backs, and will not degrade anyone who is on the team. I love my team with all of my heart. I have grown and learned form this experience as a leader, supporter, friend, and teacher. 

The girls rugby game for the state title was the most heart wrenching games I have every been apart of. To this day I can not remember who I tackled, what plays I ran, the calls that were called, or the faces I saw. I can only remember the feelings and thoughts of the outcome of that game. Running up and down that field so many times my legs begin to shake. My arms and hands are shaking from holding myself up in rucks, trying to support my player underneath me. Shoulders colliding and smashing into each other. Cleats clawing and catching your skin as you go down to the ground. Bodies seem to be piling on top of each other over and over again and still the ball comes out flawlessly while thrown into the air to the back line. My lungs are resisting to burst from my chest. During scrums we all breath deep and slow, pushing and driving into each others shoulders and legs yelling to each other “Mana! Mana!” while trying to get possessions of the incoming ball being thrown in from the side by our scrum half.

Team night. Winning a game up north! Cleats in the Halls.

Time is suddenly slipping from underneath us all at once. I felt so rushed and angry with myself. I felt sloppy and weak, it almost seemed harder and harder to run and tackle the girl with the ball. When I did get the chance to hit someone I really hit her, hard. I would get up and do it again and again. Stopping them from reaching the line, sometimes it was enough, and other times it wasn’t. We never stopped trying, and were not going to give up without a fight. We as a team came so far, and we deserved every moment of it all to be at that game playing for the state title. 

Hearing the roaring sounds from the bleachers with all the parents and the rest of the rugby teams in Utah cheering and chanting is something I will never forget. Hearing all the high pitched yells and screams from the Snow Canyon girls sideline gave me so much pride, peace, and drive. They yelled to us who were playing to never give up, the reminder to keep going, saying your doing great, it makes you just want to look over and see all their faces glowing from their smiles and smile right back at them and say the exact same thing.

SCHS Girls Rugby 2011

  Unfortunately this wasn’t our time to shine, to take the title of the best, to have that big trophy, to wear those gold medals around our necks, to get that big ring on our finger, to rub it in all those faces who said we couldn’t or we wouldn’t be good enough. To be able to make our parents proud, to make our coaches proud and make it all worth their time and effort. For me as one of the captains and leaders for the team, wishing I made one of the best memories I could for my teammates. Trying to make a difference in their lives, make them see how important, beautiful, and strong they all are. To let them know that they can do anything in the world and nothing can bring them down. Giving my all for each and everyone of them, I wanted no disappointments. I wanted us all to shine and be winners.

Seniors

Juniors

Sophomores 

And we were. We were shining, we did take the title of the best and everyone knew it, even the team we played. I don’t care about the trophy, ring, or a medal. Our heads were held up high, and that was our time. We proved what we can do, and we can prove it time and time again. We never gave up, and we will not back down. We are not scared of any challenge and no one will get in our way. We ran, bled, bruised, broke, hurt, sweat, laughed, and cried together. We are Snow Canyons Girls Rugby, and we will do, and we will be the best. We have the power, Te Mana. And the power we will keep, and cherish for the rest of our lives. 

 Placing Second in State for the 1st year.

Rugby can not be just like any other sport. Rugby is family, and it changes lives. For me I have thirty some sisters now, and I love them all. To see so many different girls come together and learn about each others lives and become friends when before they didn’t even know they existed within the school walls, they are now apart of the rugby family for life. Rugby is my life now, and I’m so grateful for it. In rugby there are no put downs, no single player who takes all the glory, no disrespect, and no separations within the team. We support, and encourage everyone to do their best they can be. Te Mana has a lot of meanings in rugby, and for everyone who plays rugby it can mean something different. Te Mana is the power of strength, overcoming challenges, knowledge, determination, family, love, support, friendship, and joy. Te Mana for life, and live for Te Mana. “Clap it up! We are SC! We are Ladies! We play Rugby! And we are Warriors!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

This is our year to shine.

 x o x o x o x o