Salisbury rugby team heading to national championship

The women’s rugby club team at Salisbury University is just a few weeks away from a chance at bringing home a national championship title, but the road to that glory takes more than talent.

It is expensive and without the proper funds, they may lose the opportunity before they even hit the field.

Head coach Brock Brooks says the Division 2 team is aiming to raise at least 20,000 dollars in order to send about 20 players out of their roster of about 45 women.

The championships are being held at University of California, Davis on April 23 and 24.

“If we don’t get to the number, we don’t go,” he says. “It’s just that simple.”

This has been a successful season, Brooks tells us. The team has only has lost one game.

“We beat Navy, played teams like UPenn, this weekend we played UNC Charlotte,” Explains Brooks. “They’re all D1 teams with 30, 40 thousand kids that go to their school.”

University officials tell 47 ABC club teams like Women’s Rugby do not receive the same type of financial support as varsity teams; however, they do have a base budget.

According to Brooks, funds usually run between three to five thousand dollars each year. Any additional costs are on the team. As of Monday, the team has raised just over 10,000 dollars with the help of private donations, funds from the university and a “GiveCorps” account set up through Salisbury University.

Gabby Hiken, a senior at Salisbury University, has played on the team since she was a freshman. She says this is the best they’ve ever been.

Hiken admits their fundraising goal is big, but it doesn’t compare to their ambition to bring home the national title which is a possible win right at their finger tips.

“I definitely believe we can [win]. We’ve been doing our homework on the teams, and I think we have a really good shot at it,” Hiken explains.

If you are interested in donating, please visit here.