Today we’d like to introduce you to Darcy Ayers.
Darcy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started playing rugby 13 years ago as a freshman at Maryville High School. The sport runs in my family – my dad played all through college and graduate school and my older brother had already been playing in high school for a couple of years. I’d also played sports all throughout my childhood, but nothing resonated with me as rugby did. It’s humbling stepping into a sport you know nothing about, and yet that’s what virtually everyone does when they decide to try rugby for the first time.
It’s such a welcoming environment to newcomers because everyone has been exactly where that new person is – we know what it’s like to show up to your first practice completely overwhelmed and intimidated. But women’s rugby continues to grow rapidly across the nation because we have fostered a culture that takes seriously the task of welcoming and developing anyone who is willing to take the plunge.
I played scrumhalf in high school and college, took some time off from playing to help coach my high school team, and then joined the Knoxville Women’s Rugby Club (informally known as the Minx) 5 years ago as center. I’ve played on select sides throughout my career, most recently with the USA Rugby South Women’s Panthers. I am currently in my 4th year on the KWRC officer board. I originally joined the officer board as secretary in order to spearhead an effort to develop a club policy for addressing harassment and discrimination in rugby spaces. I moved to president of the club this year and am excited to continue to be a part of the success of this team and club.
I have also been serving as the team representative to the International Gay Rugby Association, which is tasked with growing inclusive rugby and achieving equality, diversity, and personal development in the sport. Rugby has served as a really important space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy competitive sport, and the Minx are proud to be a part of an organization that actively strives to reduce barriers, fight homo- and transphobia, and make rugby accessible to all.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like many other women’s sports, women’s rugby has had a rough road getting the support and recognition it deserves. During the 2020 Summer Olympics, the USA Women’s 7s team garnered a lot of attention both on the field and through their social media presence. It was really exciting to see the reach that the women’s team had across the country with people who had never paid attention to the sport in the past.
We still obviously struggle with getting the word out about the sport, but any time we can reach more potential teammates is a win in our book! My hope is that growing national attention will translate to more attention and resources directed toward growing girl’s rugby at the high school and college level because girls deserve this sport just as much as the boys.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently in an AmeriCorps VISTA position working with SEEED Knox (Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development). SEEED provides pathways out of poverty for underserved young adults in Knoxville by offering a variety of career readiness trainings. I am serving as the Program Coordinator for SEEED, helping re-launch our Career Readiness Program, as well as developing the curriculum for our three boot camps: Community Engagement, Edible Forest, and Green Construction.
Every day, we strive to develop the intellectual and creative capacity of Knoxville’s young adults so that they may find a fulfilling, purposeful, and stable career and a means of providing for themselves and their families, as well as contributing back to their community. We believe that poverty intervention is an essential piece of violence intervention and nothing stops a bullet like a job.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I have often understood my role as the coordinator or facilitator – someone behind the scenes building systems, processes, and networks. Rather than being the face out at the forefront, I truly enjoy being the one to support others in their success. I love collaborative work – which is probably why I was so drawn to rugby in the first place. Everyone has a role and no one player can do it all on their own.
As opposed to a cutthroat environment, I’d rather cultivate honest and open communication that lifts people up rather than tearing them down. To me, serving my community (whether that’s my rugby community or Knoxville as a whole) is simply acting in solidarity with them. It’s taking the space to consider their needs as well as my own because I have faith that when I’m the one in need, my community will be strong enough to do the same for me.
Pricing:
- $25/season for rookies
- $100/season for vets
Contact Info:
- Email: knoxminx@gmail.com
- Website: knoxvillewomensrugby.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knoxminx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knoxminx
Image Credits
Caitlin Molyneaux (C.S. Photos) and Gina Durkan
