The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Down AND dirty
By Jeremy Allen, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 12, 2007
It's complete with grass-stained knees, brutal tackles and tough athletes. But it's not the University of Michigan spring football practices, it's women's rugby.
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The Ann Arbor Women's Rugby Football Club is a rugby organization made up of women ages 18 and older from across Washtenaw County. The upcoming 2007 season marks the beginning of its third consecutive season back in action after taking a three-year hiatus from 2002 to 2005.
One of the team members is Saline resident Jamie Frech. She has been playing rugby for almost 10 years, eight of which she spent as a member of the club and the other two years at U of M.
"I actually found rugby purely by chance," Frech said. "During my junior year, I was out running and the next thing I knew, this funny looking ball was flying toward me."
Since she had played softball and other sports in high school, it came naturally for her to grab for the flying object out of mid air. As she returned the ball, she was invited to finish out the practice, and she became hooked.
"(Playing rugby) gives me a chance to spend time with some really great and unique women and it's fun to participate in competitive team sports," Frech said. "I've tried other sports such as soccer, volleyball and tennis, but nothing compares to rugby."
Off the field, Frech is a devoted wife and mother, and also a supervisor with an advertising agency in the Detroit area. At 31 years old and having a not-so-intimidating stature, she usually gets the same type of response when she reveals her pastime.
"I typically get looked at funny," she said. "Then most people joke about not messing with me. I'm a small person, so it's unexpected."
After coming off of a 4-3 record in 2006, including a playoff victory over the reigning league champion, the expectations are high for the team. Led by its seasoned coach Herb Reich, member of the USA Elite Coaching Program, the AAW Rugby Club seems poised to contend for the national championship.
"That's our goal," said Reich, who played professionally for 17 years across the United States and New Zealand. "I've played on national championship teams and it takes players who have their heads on right and good administration. We have that here."
This is Reich's second year with the program and first full year as head coach as he began last year's during the fall league. He added that with skilled players like Frech, their championship goal is very realistic.
"Jamie's been playing rugby for a long time now and she's one of our stalwarts," he said. "She really works her tail off and she brings such a great attitude. It's really nice to have her around."
The women of the club kick off their season 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Cleveland at Riverside Park in Ann Arbor.
"The rugby community is great," Frech said. "Wherever you go, you can find women who play the sport and it immediately makes you part of the family. I love my teammates, I love the sport, and it is probably the best workout on the planet."
Also of note, team president Amy Payeur added that any women who are interested in getting involved can simply show up to a practice. Practices are held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Burns Park in Ann Arbor.
Women 18 and older are welcome and no experience is necessary. More information about practices and games can be found at www.annarborwomensrugby. com.
Jeremy Allen is a freelance writer. He can be reached at jeremy_allen@go.com.
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