An extremely eloquent speaker of small stature and build, Jess Poon doesn't seem to fit the profile of the captain of the Columbia University Women's Rugby Football Club. That is if, and only if, you discount the purpling black eye protruding from her well-put-together appearance.
A Barnard senior majoring in art history, Poon has spent the better half of her life heading and playing one of the most dangerous, precarious sports on the planet. Originally from Hong Kong, Jess, against the general aspirations of her parents, has been playing rugby since high school, attaining the prestigious title of captain in her senior year.
"My mom suggested, when I first began playing, that maybe I shouldn't," she said. "My parents are not active in support of my play, but they have never attempted to stop me. A lot of the parents fears stem from the amount of injuries that occur."
Over one-third of professional Irish athletes view rugby as the most dangerous sport in the world, and with its growing popularity, it is certain that the numbers will increase. So exactly just how many injuries have Jess and her teammates encountered in their rugby endeavors? Enough to rival the roughest of sports.
"The worst injury I've ever had has been a fractured ankle and, of course, this black eye," Poon said. "On the team it ranges from the most popular concussions to broken collar bones, dislocated shoulder and torn ACLs."
The team lives by the "no pads necessary" rule, as Jess describes it, with only mandatory mouth guards to separate one player from the oncoming opposing teams.
Poon plays the position of scrum half. For those unversed in rugby, her position mediates between the forwards and the backs. Forwards are generally larger players running up the field, creating space, while the backs are faster and more agile in order to maneuver the ball and score a "try," which is similar to a touchdown and worth five points.
A typical run begins with the forward taking the ball into contact. Support players then clear the ball so that the middle players can pick it up and pass it to the backs. The backs can then maneuver toward the try zone, utilizing backward passes if they must.
The current composition of the team ranges from members who have been playing all their lives, to freshmen who have never even stepped onto the field, let alone know the difference between a scrum half and a conversion.
"The difficulty of each individual position allows for a varying in both athleticism and skill level," Poon said. "Just being able to be really good at your specific position, whether you're right in the middle of the scrum or charging up the field, is extremely difficult."
In a busy city with millions of options, Poon admits that it is fairly difficult to find and put together a consistent and well-equipped team. Columbia's women's club operates with a smaller-than-average team—around 19 players compared to the standard 20-25 of larger schools.
"It does affect morale sometimes," Poon said. "If one girl gets hurt, and we are already short on players, then you just know you are going to have to play the full game and hope no one else gets hurt. But what can you do?"
The club accepts new members regardless of their amount of experience. If it's the fear that holds you back, just ask Poon and she'll tell you that fear is what motivates her.
"The action of participating is what motivates my game," Poon said. "Being a female rugby player is what motivates me to improve and to be proud what I do. It's incredible."
'Currently the club is working on slowly building a fan base. With the current league leader, Marist, coming to Baker Field this Sunday for a home game, Poon urges viewers to come and see what the club is all about.
Take a better look at the Columbia University Women's Rugby Football Club during their next game on October 12 at 8 p.m.