The University of Rhode Island women’s rugby team proved they are interested in more than just on-field performance when they reached out to the community this past week.
The team of 38 girls and and head coach Karie Orendorff were asked to participate in a mini-clinic for the lab of some students in the kinesiology programs. Coach Orendorff thought it was a no-brainer; after all they participated in the same exercise last year.
“We enjoyed it last year, so when they asked again this year, I said ‘Sure we will do it again,’†Orendorff said.
With the team helping these students with the lab, the students all get hand-on experience in the field they chose to study. As much as this could be considered a team bonding event, the Rams have already bonded and been through battles together.
“I look at this as more of a community outreach than a team bonding,†Orendorff said. “Once you have been in a scrum that is as close as you are going to get.â€
Despite the off the field work and their contributions to helping others, URI has done a solid job building their program. The Ram’s A-team currently sits at 1-2, while the B-team is undefeated at 3-0.
But if you ask Coach Orendorff this group might be the best one yet.
“This team has so much to offer and so much potential†Orendorff said. “This is the first time in a while we have real chemistry.â€
The next match for the Rams will be this coming Saturday in Storrs, Connecticut, when the Rams travel to take on the University of Connecticut looking for their second win of the season.