What’s your history with rugby? What made you want to join?
I first heard about rugby back in 2018—of all places, walking out of a Jewel Osco. A stranger came up to me and asked if I wanted to play. I had to turn her down because between school and work, my life was already overflowing. But I kept the contact info, and honestly, that interaction stuck with me. A few years later, I found myself wanting a contact sport, and a friend suggested I check out rugby. That conversation re-sparked everything I felt in that moment outside the grocery store, and it eventually led me to finally join.
How long have you been playing rugby? What do you love about it? What moves you about playing the sport or being part of the community?
I joined in the spring of 2024, so just over a year and a half now.
I love rugby because it gave me something no other sport ever has. As a 250+ lb queer woman, I spent so much of my life in spaces that wanted me to shrink—physically, emotionally, socially. Rugby is the first place that didn’t ask me to soften or hide parts of myself. Instead, it showed me that my size and strength are not things to apologize for but assets. It taught me to love myself for who I am, not who someone else wants me to be.
And the community? It’s unlike anything else. Rugger culture is raw, supportive, loud, messy, and full of heart. You gain teammates, but you also gain people who see you fully and cheer for the version of yourself you didn’t even know you were trying to become.
How has rugby impacted your life?
Rugby has changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It gave me confidence in my body—real, grounded confidence, not the performative kind. It helped me build deeper friendships and pushed me to trust people again. It made me more resilient, more patient with myself, and more open to growth. Being part of this sport shifted how I see myself, showing me I can be strong, valued, and powerful just as I am.
If you could tell your younger self one thing as the rugby player you are today, what would it be?
I would tell her: stop trying to shrink yourself. Take up space and be unapologetically you!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experiences with rugby or the community?
I think what surprises people most is how deeply this sport connects you to others. Rugby gave me a sense of belonging I didn’t even realize I was missing. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, yes, but it also held me when I needed support. It’s messy and intense and beautiful—and I’m grateful every day that a stranger stopped me outside a grocery store and planted the seed that got me here.
Support club rugby! You can find Louise on Instagram @the.louzke or catch her playing with her home team, the Fox Valley Vixens. If you want to watch a match or are in the Saint Charles area and interested in joining, find the Vixens on Instagram @vixens_rugby.