My experience joining a rugby team

I have learned a great many things from participating in rugby. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. Before my upper form in MRSM, I had low self-esteem and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. Rugby has altered all of these qualities. On the first day of practice, the team warmed up with a game of touch play. The players were split up and the game began. However, during the game, I noticed that I didn't run as hard as I could, nor did I try to evade opponent's fullback and get open. The fact of the matter is that I really did not want to be thrown the ball. I didn't want to be the one at fault if I dropped the ball and the play didn't succeed. I did not want the responsibility of helping the team because I was too afraid of making a mistake. That aspect of my character led the first years of my boarding school life. I refrained from asking questions in class, afraid they might be considered too stupid or dumb by my classmates.

Yet my apprehension prevailed as I continued to fear getting put in the game in case another player was injured. I was still afraid of making mistakes and getting blamed by screaming coaches and angry teammates. Sometimes these fears came true. During my first few months of playing rugby, my position at Prop led me to play in the vital role on many occasions. On such occasions, I often made mistakes. Most of the time the mistakes were not significant; they rarely changed the outcome of a play. Yet I received a thorough verbal lashing at practice for the mistakes I had made. These occurrences only compounded my fears of playing. However, I did not always make mistakes. Sometimes I made great plays, for which I was congratulated. Now, as I dawn on my senior year of rugby and am faced with two starting positions, I feel like a changed person.

Over the years, playing rugby has taught me what it takes to succeed. From months of tough practices, I have gained a hard work ethic. From my coaches and fellow teammates, I have learned to work well with others in a group, as it is necessary to cooperate with teammates on the playing field. But most important, I have also gained self-confidence. If I fail, it doesn't matter if they mock or ridicule me; I'll just try again and do it better. I realize that it is necessary to risk failure in order to gain success. The coach have always said before games that nothing is impossible; I know that now. Now, I welcome the challenge. Whether I succeed or fail is irrelevant; it is only important that I have tried and tested myself.