The spotty archival footage attests to it: almost fifty years ago, on April 12, 1975, the first official women’s rugby match took place in our country. Home team RC Wageningen played against the ladies of E.S.R.C. The Elephants. Or rather: the girlfriends of the rugby players of both teams played against each other, because there were no real women’s teams back then.

Half a century later, a lot has changed. Today – in addition to two men’s teams – The Elephants have had a ‘real’ women’s team playing competitively in the second division for many years. The players are planning an elaborate celebration of the 50th anniversary of women’s rugby, says Elephants member Ida Keulen. “Among other things, we will take a trip to England – the home of rugby – to visit a few games of the women’s rugby World Cup in September.”

Bruise competition

Keulen has put her master’s in Building Physics on hold for a year to play a more active role at her study association and at The Elephants, of which she is secretary. For her, choosing rugby was a no-brainer: “Half of my family plays rugby and my parents even met at their rugby club in the province of Limburg.” For many girls, this might be different. After all, isn’t rugby a rough sport for husky girls?

Not really, says Keulen. “Rugby has ‘forwards,’ which – indeed –  tend to be the somewhat bigger and stronger players, because they’re tasked with breaking through the opponent’s line of defense. But the line players, or ‘backs’, are equally important. They tactically look for gaps in the defense and are usually smaller and more agile. In short, there is a position on the field for everyone.”

The goal of the players is to take the distinctive oval ball over the opponent’s line and press it to the ground there to score a touchdown. “Which is called a ‘try’ in rugby.”

Keulen herself is a forward and, yes, she sometimes comes home with bruises. “That’s pretty much part of the deal.” The women’s team even has its own bruise competition. “I had the biggest bruise last season, but in the end a teammate won who had one in the shape of a smiley face.”

Pub quiz

The Elephants women will hold an open practice session in the evening of April 22 for interested female students; it includes a joint meal and pub quiz. “Rugby teams are big,” says Keulen. “At games, we field 15 women, and you also need substitutes. So new female members are welcome.”

An additional reason is that the sports clubs affiliated with the Student Sports Center (SSC) aren’t allowed to have non-student members, except for the occasional – demonstrably indispensable – graduate. As the Elephants don’t have enough ladies to form an entire team of their own just yet, they play their games together with members of the Wageningen student rugby club and with RCE, the general Eindhoven rugby club where a number of former Elephants play.

Team of the year

If you ask Keulen, prospective members won’t regret joining The Elephants. “The atmosphere in the team is very good and we see each other outside of rugby as well. The club’s core values are camaraderie, respect, and discipline, and those are definitely lived up to.” It was for good reason, therefore, that student sports umbrella organization ESSF proclaimed the rugby women 2024 team of the year at the annual Sports Gala last Friday.

The warm relationship with rugby club RCE is also very valuable, she believes. “We train at the RCE fields on the Vijfkamplaan, where we get to use the clubhouse.” Finally, there’s the new coach, Rafael Mones. “A former member of the Uruguayan national team. He provides continuity, motivation, and a good atmosphere, and makes us grow as a team.”

Interested in women’s rugby and/or want to attend open practice session? Go to @elephantsrugby on Instagram or send an email.