By Charlie Potter

Contributing Writer

Alabama’s women’s rugby team kicks off its season this Friday against Western Kentucky and the team is looking to build off of the momentum it gained from last year.

Caitlin Reilly, a junior, is the club president for the 2012 season. She is confident her squad can handle the two and a half month schedule – that includes games against Florida State, Tennessee and Auburn – that lies ahead.

“We are at the point now where we are winning consistently,” Reilly said. “People want to play us because they know we are going to give them a good game.”

However, Reilly and senior flanker Jessica King pointed out that there are some aspects of the game that the women’s team needs to focus on and improve.

“What we really need to work on is our team communication, having everyone work together as a team because we have a lot of people who are individually good,” King said.

Team unity comes as a challenge because rugby is a club sport that organizes and coordinates with the University Recreation Center. There are no tryouts, so anyone can participate in the matches, but the Tide looks to use its open practices and matches to its advantage this season.

“We really want to build the team,” Reilly said. “We want to get a bunch of new blood in. Our focus is going to be on recruiting.”

Getting more recruits is an important key to the team’s success in 2012. There are only 11 players on the active roster, and there must be 15 players on the field at all times. The Tide has been forced to rely on players from Birmingham to fill its roster for Friday’s game.

The best way to obtain recruits is by having them watch an actual game. Alabama will face its first foe in a familiar Western Kentucky squad this Friday at 8 p.m. at the Rec. Center fields with the permanent uprights.

Controlling the game at their desired pace, playing at an up-tempo level and keeping the ball out of the Hilltoppers’ hands is what the Tide players need to do in order to win the match.

“We want to control the time,” King said. “Whether we control it by making our tackles or doing quick picks off of the ball, we want to keep the game at our pace. We don’t want them to even touch the ball.”

The Tide players are filled with excitement for the upcoming match and the start to the program’s fourth season. They want to show the University’s student body and the Tuscaloosa community what rugby is all about.

“I cannot wait to get started,” King said. “I want to hit people. I have not hit somebody in a while. What other sport do girls get to hit people?”

Practice Times:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 6-8 p.m.
• Rec. fields with the permanent uprights
• Everyone who wants to play is welcome