What’s your history with rugby? What made you want to join?
I started playing rugby this year back in the spring. I first heard about it when I was finishing my internship in college. I was a collegiate track and field athlete looking for a sport to play because my collegiate career had finished and I didn’t want to end athletics at 21, so that’s when I found rugby. I wanted to join because I wanted to continue being an athlete and I also wanted to make friends.
What moves you about playing the sport / being part of the community?
I have been playing and training rugby for about six months as I am not currently on a team. I love being able to go on the weekends and touch grass and get some fresh air as well as being a part of a team. The one thing that moves me about playing the sport is that anyone can play at a high level regardless of athletic background or experience
What’s one stereotype about rugby players - that you’ve had to personally face or otherwise - that you really hate?
It usually gets annoying when people compare it to American football although they are relatively similar but vastly different. I don’t really like how rugby players are compared to American football players because rugby is faster paced and requires more aerobic fitness than American football. I’m also not really a fan of judging rugby players by body type because skill beats size any day.
How has rugby impacted your life?
Rugby has shown me that I don’t have to fit in or fit whatever it is that society considers normal. Playing rugby has also shown me that I can do hard things and push myself. I’ve definitely improved my confidence since playing rugby and want to go pro in it. On my journey as a rugby player so far, I’ve learned that I can have fun and be as loud as I want.
If you could tell your younger self one thing as the rugby player you are today, what would it be?
If there is one thing I could tell my younger self as the rugby player I am today it would be that no matter how big or athletic you are skill is going to be what takes you the furthest in the game. I would tell my younger self that setbacks are a part of getting better and not to be intimated by people more skilled than you because they make mistakes too. There are no idols in the game of rugby, but respecting and learning from other players is important and encouraged in order to make it far in this game. I would tell my younger self as the rugby player/athlete I am that it’s not over just because of an injury or criticism from other players and coaches.
Is there a person or moment in your rugby career that has been particularly impactful to your rugby career or to your life in general?
The one moment that has impacted my rugby career was the summer I spent playing with @columbuskodiaksrfc. It was my first time ever playing sevens and I was playing with many guys who were collegiate pro and national team players.
I sustained my first concussion this summer as well. Playing sevens with such a talented group of individuals gave me something to look forward to and it gave me something to strive for on my journey to becoming a pro rugby player and showed me that when I stay healthy and put my mind to it I can compete with the best of the best on any given day.
Support club rugby! You can find Cincere on Instagram @_cinxythephenom_. Cincere is not currently playing for a club but has previously played for Columbus Kodiaks RFC. If you want to watch a match or are in the Columbus area and interested in joining, find the Kodiaks on Instagram @columbuskodiaksrfc.