FOR rugby enthusiast, Madelien Saunders, being selected to be a part of the eThekwini Women’s Rugby team at the 2022 SALGA KZN DSAC games, is a great opportunity to showcase her skills and talent.
The games, which brings together all KZN district municipalities to compete in various sporting codes, is set to take place in Newcastle, from December 8 to 11.
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Saunders, 18, of Yellowwood Park, had gone through the trials held in October, and was informed she had been selected to be part of the team last week.“It is an absolutely amazing feeling to be given this opportunity. I could not control my excitement when I received the message that I was selected. I feel it is an opportunity of a lifetime.: Saunders said she found out about the trials through another coach.
“Over the past two months my team has participated in tournaments, however, due to my age, I was not allowed to play. It was in October when one of the other team coaches informed my coach about the trials and suggested I try out,” she said.
Saunders, a grade 11 learner, and newly elected deputy-head girl for 2023 at Port Natal High School, said her passion for rugby started at a very young age.
“I was never the ‘girly-type’, I preferred marbles and tops, and played touch rugby with the boys. I was about eight-years-old and while playing tackle-rugby at the school, I instantly fell in love with the sport,” she said.
Saunders said her school never offered rugby for girls, and she was only able to pursue her passion when she joined the Lady ‘Quins rugby team last year.
“I believe women playing rugby was something that was frowned upon for many years, it was said to be a ‘man’s sport’, but that never deterred me from playing. My mom found the Lady ‘Quins on Facebook and I went for one of their training sessions, which was quite scary at first, but it was the best decision I ever made. They are an amazing team of strong women who I admire. My current positions are scrum-half and fly-half,” she said.
Saunders said her fitness routine included training with the team, as well weight and cardio training at the gym.
“To play rugby you need to have a lot of strength, especially because it is a contact sport, so I need to build muscle,” she said.
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Saunders said some of the key factors for being a rugby player, is commitment, hard-work and keeping a positive mindset.
“You need to have the right mindset to push through, especially when you are in pain. Whenever I am on the field, especially during an intense fitness test, I repeat these words to myself, ‘You have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable’. The pain is temporary, but the joy is life-long,” she said.
Saunders added that she hoped to one day pursue a professional rugby career abroad. “I feel that the rugby standard in South Africa is not at the same level in comparison to New Zealand or England. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to play for an international team in the future,” she said.
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