The Men’s Team Finds Funds for Travel:

The FAU Men’s Rugby Club, which has been a functioning team for 20 years, has faced a major budget cut due to the recession. The FAU Council of Student Organizations (COSO) cut the team’s budget from $15,000 to $2,000, but according to John Atwater, the team’s president, the team has managed by collecting dues and carpooling to matches.

The team has also hosted a variety of fundraisers, including car washes, date auctions and alumni dinners. Although traveling is now more expensive, the team is trying to collect enough money to continue to play in as many tournaments as in previous years. 

After defeating FSU and UCF in the playoffs, the Owls finished their fall season as champions, with a 12-7 win against USF at the Florida Cup in St. Petersburg.
“We’ve established ourselves as a team, and we’ve earned our respect in the state. We are a force to be reckoned with,” says Atwater.

The players agree that, in a way, the budget cuts have brought the team closer together, and Atwater believes that the lack of funding has changed the team’s spirit, with the more dedicated players staying to support the club.

The Women’s Team Works Hard to Earn Recognition:

Formed three years ago, the Women’s Rugby Club has also been successful this year, despite falling on hard economic times.

Unlike the men’s team, the women’s team does not receive any money from COSO. They collect dues and often pay for entry fees and equipment out of their own pockets.
“The team has struggled for the first few years to stay alive, [and] gain respect [from] the school and other organizations,” says the women’s team president, Tara Romeo, a senior exercise science major.

The rugby women are often seen in the Breezeway recruiting new members and spreading the word of recent success, including making second place in a summer tournament and playing a close match against UF.

 This semester, both teams are  sponsored by the National Guard,  which will supply new uniforms and equipment.

Although the women’s team is having to provide more of their own funds, they are banding together as well. Increased costs may drive some players away, but the ones who are truly dedicated to the rugby program have stayed to find ways to continue to play the sport they love.

The Men’s Rugby Team practices on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the women’s team  practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both teams practice at 7 p.m. on the Henderson Field on the Boca campus.  For more info, visit www.faurugby.com (men’s team) or e-mail [email protected] (women’s team).