Beijing Devils Rugby Club

Profile

After rowing for 5 years, I started playing rugby this past spring at Boston Uni and joined the BJ Devils for summer training hoping to improve ball-handling skills and fitness.  I love tackling bitches on and off the field and playing hard.  Though I play rugby now, beer is surprisingly not my go-to drink while my lightweight status is thoroughly embarrassing, thanks to my Asian genes.  When I’m not rucking, I enjoy rowing, horseback riding, yoga, ice skating, and being ridiculous.

Profile

I began rugby in France two years ago, played for my uni and the Le Havre Club. I spend my third year of studies in Beijing, mostly to study Chinese. The first day I joined the team it was for a match against ISB, I completely enjoyed it. As part of the back line, I am fond of putting pace in the game, quick support, and so on… What I especially like in rugby is the fact that everybody has his place: being fast, slow, big, small, angry, cool… Moreover, even if the field is muddy everyone gives his best when tackling. Hum speaking of tackling this is my weak point, I usually tackle a bit too high, working on it! Otherwise I like jogging when it is cold, watching awkward art films, hanging out with friends, and other things that are not coming to my mind right now!

Quote of the season

“ Come on, she IS a guy!” Devils team, in Seoul

Profile

I’m from California and started playing rugby in college at Santa Clara University.  I’ve been playing rugby for about 8 years now (eek!).  I wasn’t so sure about rugby when I first started, but ended up loving it;  it’s all the fun things that I was never allowed to do in soccer.  I moved to Beijing about a year ago, and am very happy to have found a great bunch of rugby girls in this crazy city!

Quote of the season

Banana quesadilla, please.

Profile

I’ve been told that I have good hands but unfortunately I have about as much pace as a sloth.  I started playing rugger in Beijing, before which I played football and field hockey.  I didn’t expect to enjoy the sport, but I was proved wrong; being given a beer on the bus from the way back from my first training session clinched the deal, and I’ve been committed to the Devils ever since.  Living on the other side of town, I’m not a big fan of going home, and on weekends I can usually be found playing or watching rugby, or failing that slothing about in the Den, Smugglers or Bar Blu.  I like jager bombs and dancing.  I don’t like Mondays.

Quote of the season

"Mind your tits" (Coach Ben)

Profile

I’ve been playing for 2 years and started at the internationally renowned University of Manchester (Oh Manchester…), I’ve played in the forwards and the backs so that either means I’m a very versatile player, or not particularly good anywhere, not quite sure which. I’ve had a number of rugby achievements, but my greatest so far is the ‘Better when Drunk’ award, which I definitely lived up to on our recent Shanghai tour (until 11pm at least, then the concussion set in).  I tend to cause a bit of trouble when I’ve had a few as my recent partner in alcohol induced crime, megandegenfegen, could vouch for.  Shopping trolleys are not for fun. The Devils are THE best thing about living in Beijing and I would have had a lot more ‘bad China days’ without them, I’ve made amazing friends, even you Charlie, and can’t wait for the season to start again to show Shanghai what we’re made of.

Quote of the season

“The one thing I am terrifies me the most is the prospect of having cankles when I’m old” (Corrie Taylor)

Profile

I've been playing rugby since Autumn 09, before then I've only ever got involved from the sidelines  of my brother's matches cheering him on and eating bacon sarnies on Sunday mornings.  I like tackling and then tackling some more and being loud and shouting, my weakness is probably my bad luck with falling off buses which  hopefully will pass with the coming season. I'm probably the biggest lightweight on the team, maybe one of the loudest and  definitely not the meanest. When I'm not playing rugby I'm either riding around Beijing on my lil' bike, volunteering at migrant schools and charities,  at KTV, in the bar, in the library or in bed! (True student)

Quote of the season

"We on a boat baby"

Profile

If I start going on about how amazing I am...I’ll feel slightly egoistic here… right. I love steps. I think they are the best thing in Rugby (hence why I love 7s). Stepping round people is what I usually aim to do before passing off to the wing to finish the bazillion meter run. I guess my strengths would be tackling. I’m a hard tackler and usually when I commit, I don’t lose the person. However, if they spit or bite that may be a different story. Weaknesses: THE SCRUM. As much as I absolutely LOVE rugby, I hate the physical cheek to cheek thing. Butt to face. Face to butt. Really not my type of fun. When stuffed in it, I will squeal like the little girl I am and whinge and whine until I get out. I’ve been playing since high school started so it’s been a good few years since then. I joined cause I got dragged in by a friend, and I’ve stuck to it since. It isn’t the most graceful of sports, but definitely one with the most team spirit and fun in it. Which leads to the next question: bars, drinks and capacities. I’m the one that you’ll spot sitting in the Den cause she actually wants to watch the game. I’ll be the one sipping off my ginger ale after training or a baileys and milk at socials. Beer… not my type of drink, but when forced to, I guess one wouldn’t hurt.

Quote of the season

"Please, none of that crappy Chinese no brand stuff. Some of that stuff REALLY TASTES REALLY REALLY BAD"

Profile

I began playing rugby three years ago after a long and hardly illustrious football career, and I’ve played in various positions throughout the backs. Despite my rather squat stature (remember Willow?) I’m relatively fast and, like Jane, I am fond of steps. I like to shout a lot about nothing. My biggest weakness is that I hate to go down in a tackle and will do almost anything to stay on my feet, even if there isn't a forward within 20 yards to help me protect the ball. This year I was lucky enough to be handed captaincy of the Devils in an unexpected and undeserved manner but I’m proud to have been part of re-launching the women’s team. I'm good with a pint but only on special occasions because my hangovers are truly spectacular on Chinese beer. On one of these occasions I challenge anyone to better me for longevity at the bar.

Quote of the season

"What have you got in that massive bag, your tits?" (Coach Ben) "We're doing line outs tonight; in those shorts you'll probably show your flaps" (As above)

Profile

I am stoked to be playing again after a 10-year hiatus. I first fell in love with rugby back in high school but it was short-lived because my passion for outdoor adventure sports took over. But not to worry, my affection for rugby was unleashed again when I got the chance to play touch with the Chengdu Pandas last year. When work opportunities brought me to Beijing connecting with the Devils was first on the list and now the rest is history. The team is awesome! The girls know how to have a ruckin good time on and off the pitch and I am happy to be part of it all. If not on the pitch I’m probably catching up with a close friend, getting in a dose of nature and adventure or in the park flying a kite or playing bocce.

Quote of the season

"I love Latin America"(provided by the coach).

Profile

I grew up in Hong-Kong and Beijing and have been playing rugby for almost 4 years now (used to play for The International School of Beijing) and have now been with the Devils for a year. I'm currently studying Chinese Language at Peking University, and will be heading to the University of Sussex in September to study International Relations and Development. I absolutely love rugby because I need a way to exert my anger, and tackling certainly does the trick! I usually tackle too high and am known for clotheslining people. My favourite is playing rugby when it’s raining as it makes the game a lot more fun. I’m quite sarcastic and enjoy making people laugh. Love going out with friends (especially the Devils, as they are champion drinkers) and having a good time in general.

Quote of the season

"STEAK!....BURGER!.... chicken parmesan?!"

Profile

Having played since I was 5 I really should be much better both on the pitch and in the bar than I am now however my unrequited love for the egg still persists and both a rugby background and slight addiction to that kick-off buzz keep me from acknowledging that perhaps I would be better suited to a more sedate hobby... That said you won’t see me chugging down Qingdao at The Den, it’s a G+T every time thanks. Outside of rugby you will find me ‘Heyrobics-ing’ with Charlie and Bridgette (/aka swooning over the blonde Swedes that run the sessions...), spending far too much money in Chinese markets and getting lost on my bike in this crazy city.

Quote of the season

To be decided

Profile

I love to tackle.  I’d say that’s my biggest strength in rugby.  Following that is speed and tricks.  Accidentally tripping someone sneaks in a few times.  I’ve been playing rugby now for 4 years and it’s my absolute passion. I began rugby because my soccer coach recruited me to his rugby team.  It was love at first tackle. Sweating, bruising, tackling, and playing in the mud have never appealed to me so much.  While not playing rugby you can catch me playing soccer (football), breakdancing, or some sort of physical activity…And sleeping.  Lately I seem to be a lightweight in the bar as it’s difficult to get out of a house full of religious people without someone having a watchful eye on me. Because of this I loved joining a team called the Beijing Devils and yes, I am ready to move out of home.  Long live women’s rugby!

Quote of the season

“And word has it she’s only 17!” “Everybody know I’m a muthafucking monstaa.”

Profile

Before the Beijing Devils, I played for the University of Wyoming and the Eastern Rockies Select Side. I absolutely love the game of rugby, which makes me a little too competitive at times. Midway through my first season with the Devils, I was diagnosed with cancer. My teammates stood beside my every step of the way, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I enjoy a nice stiff arm to the face, and tossing girls out of the ruck by their hair. However, I try to remain high maintenance on the rugby pitch as well, right down to my bright pink cleats. When I’m off the pitch, I enjoy politics, hunting and fishing, knitting, and other ridiculously random activities. As for my drinking abilities? Every one of the Den waitresses knows me by name. Enough said.

Quote of the season

"No problem!!!"

Profile

As a Samoan, I am naturally born to be physical and the brutal hostile atmosphere of rugby makes me feel quite at home.  I've been a rugby fan for as long as I could remember and started to play at the age of 13 with my brothers and cousins. My weakness, is an open field with just me and the try line for I know I don't have enough pace to take it all the way. But other than that rucks and mauls are one would say “my strengths in the game”. Defense is my best skill yet and I don't miss an opportunity to smash the opposing side. Outside of the field I am outgoing and always looking to make friends and enjoy the occasional parties every now and then. Rugby is a way of life and when I'm off the field, I'm constantly looking forward to the next match...

Quote of the season

"Erm... Do we have to be sober to do that?" Charlie Bucket