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SPORTSCENTER STUDENTS TRAVEL TO FRANCE FOR THE WORLD CUP OF RUGBY, BUT LEARN MUCH MORE THAN THE GAME
10-11-2007
In the United States, Rugby isn’t an extremely popular sport. However, our lack of knowledge of the actual sport and how it is played did not take away from the experience of taking part in a host of events in Paris, France, surrounding the Rugby World Cup. As representatives of the United States, VCU SportsCenter students and administrators engaged in social and academic forums alike with delegations from all over the world, including Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and of course, France. While the cultural differences were apparent, they only intrigued us and brought us closer together. Participating in an actual rugby tournament against the other delegations reinforced the fact that sports really do cross all borders. We didn’t know anything about these other groups, but our common attraction to sport automatically united us and gave us a starting point from which we could open up dialogue and learn more about each other and each other’s respective countries.
We’ve all read about places like Europe and Africa in text books and have seen films, but having conversations with people who actually live in the places we only have heard of is truly an experience unlike any other. Listening to first hand accounts about how sport really affects their societies was better than anything any of us had ever read or seen. A South African boy spoke about the struggle with AIDS and how sport really has an opportunity to play a part in fighting the deadly disease. He spoke about how excited they were to be hosting the World Cup in 2010 and then proceeded to invite us to come and watch! These conversations create lasting relationships between not only people but countries. It is because of these relationships we have formed that the VCU SportsCenter had the opportunity to travel to France and participate in such a tremendous event. One of the most memorable experiences of the whole trip was marching in a huge parade with all of the other delegations through the city of St. Denis, right outside of Paris. Thousands of people crowded the streets as all of the delegations sang and dance together. It was truly a celebration of sport on a global scale.
The schedule for the week kept all of the students extremely busy but we were able to find time to enjoy each other’s company through down time, competition and the World Sports Forum. One night after all the students had dinner together, the Irish students took out their fiddle and guitar to sing traditional Irish songs. All of the students from the different countries gave them their full attention. The Scottish students joined in with their songs, the South African students were next and finally the French students. The students from the USA enjoyed the talent but claimed to have none and therefore did not sing. Everyone granted respect and applause to all. In the words of Allister, an administrator from Scotland, “It was one of the best night’s with the students.”
The students gathered together in Saint Denis on another day to play together in a friendly, co-ed, two-hand touch Rugby Tournament. Although everyone was extremely competitive, there was also a sense of fun and good sportsmanship. Team USA did our best to represent and faired well, coming in first in our pool, considering none had ever played Rugby. We went on to lose in the second round to the Irish.
Finally, participating in the World Sports Forum gave the students a platform to share the meaning of sport in their own countries. It also gave them a chance to share how this one sporting event and cultural exchange can bring people separated by geography and culture so close together in spirit. We exchanged t-shirts, flags and e-mails. We invited each other to visit. We became ambassadors for our perspective countries. We lived and learned in one week that sport can be used as a vehicle for global cooperation.
By: Michelle Felix-Pettway and Kelly Kolker
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