Far From Home: How Women’s Rugby Players Handle the Distance

Story by Rey Green

Can you imagine the courage it takes for an 18-year-old to travel across the world and pursue their dreams? The culture shock of trying to adjust to a new way of living while also studying college-level courses may seem unimaginable.

You may have heard the saying ‘pressure makes diamonds’ and CWU’s international students seem to be diamonds in the rough. International (and non-continental) students have become more self-reliant after becoming adjusted to the U.S. and many have been forced to step out of their comfort zone and grow into their own way of life.

Missing Home

Sophomore Social Services major and Hooker for Women’s Rugby from Hawaii, Kawai Akina says, she definitely misses being home and around her family. Even with extended family time while at home, there are now, many priceless family moments Akina has missed while away at college.

Akina explains, her nephew just turned one, and during her freshman year, she sadly had to miss seven months of his childhood.

While the extra distance has been tough on Akina, she mentions, this sort of routine is nothing new to her as an athlete. “I feel like [as] athletes we’re always busy, with chasing a degree and succeeding in your athletic career that we just kind of lose focus of those who support us,” she says.

Junior Sports Psychology major and Loose Forward for Women’s Rugby from Ireland, Shona Kennedy says, there was a joke within the team about how she would talk to her parents every day.

“I’m very close to my family. In Ireland everyone is very close with their family,” Kennedy says. “My family is everything. My siblings are my best friends.”

Kennedy mentions, while she is in contact with her family frequently, most of all she misses the little things. “The little things matter, like my little sister got her driver's license. I know that sounds kinda stupid, but I wish I was there to see that. My Dad’s 50th [birthday] was the other day and you just miss the little things.”

Not only are there family moments that these athletes are missing out on, but some of the hometown favorites are given up when an athlete chooses to move far for college.

“I miss having to eat local food and just being surrounded by my whole entire family all the time,” Akina says. “That was one thing that the pandemic kind of took away because you know everyone has jobs and their own life. I miss being at the beach with them all the time.”

While these athletes are put to the test handling the distance away from their families and homes, the lessons that these athletes have taken away are priceless.

Finding Independence

Kayla Guyton, New Zealand native and freshman Psychology and Biology double major and Loose Forward for Women’s Rugby, found her independence at a young age. She acknowledges that she does miss holidays with her family, but she doesn’t necessarily miss New Zealand.

Guyton, only being 18 years old, has been in the U.S. since Sept. 3rd. She mentions, school and rugby keep her occupied, and this experience has allowed her to learn “how to stand on my own two feet.”

“I’ve definitely done a big step moving across the other side of the world. Finding my own independence … that’s definitely a big thing for me,” Guyton says.

This smooth transition wasn’t the story for Kennedy. She explains, her freshman year was a disaster and she didn’t know how to act.

“I was 18 years old; I was only a baby really. I was really struggling but obviously from maturity, [and] I’ve gotten much better,” Kennedy says. “I really enjoy my own time and spending time with myself, [and] I think that was because I grew up.”

She mentions, this experience has taught her to enjoy things on her own. “When I was young I wanted to go out so I wouldn’t be at home by myself, which at the time was the scariest thing for me. As I grew up and got more independent, I was able to enjoy my own time.”

Kennedy attributes part of her growing up to the fact that she had a team when she moved here, that was able to help support her.

Team Means Family

Women’s Rugby Head Coach Trevor Richards is more than pleased with how the players on his team have accommodated their international teammates. Building those friendships that last a lifetime takes effort and he says, the leaders on the squad have impressed him with how well that’s being handled.

“We create the structure and environment, but they are the engine that keeps us going and they are driving us forward. So, if we don’t bring in the right people, we won't have a welcoming environment, but I think our players have just done a great job of making them comfortable,” explains Richards.

“All of the sudden you look and see ‘oh you guys are living together? Ok cool,’ like they’re best buddies … It’s like they just got 30 [new] sisters,” Richard says.

“I really appreciate my team, it’s the little things like someone making a joke and just spending those moments together. I really love those girls. They can really uplift your mood,” Kennedy says.

Guyton says, Richards has played the role of being her “American dad.” If she has an issue, the coaches help sort it out; she’s never lost. She almost always goes straight to them because their door is always open when needed.

In a situation where players are away from their families and homes, they find comfort and unity with their fellow teammates.