Community Rugby Stories – Alexandra Schlosser from Trail RFC
At the beginning of the month we ran a promo on Instagram, send us your rugby story and we’ll send you a BCRN rugby ball. Alexandra Schlosser from Trail RFC jumped on that like a loose forward at a ruck, we can tell she’s the type of rugby player you want on your team. Below is her rugby story on how she discovered rugby and what it means to her. We’ll give away one ball a month, if you’re interested in entering, email editor@bcrugbynews.com your rugby story (about 500 words) and you could be August’s winner.
My Rugby Story by Alexandra Schlosser
My rugby journey began in Grade 9 during a time when I struggled with my weight, anxiety, and self-confidence. I often felt uncomfortable in my own skin and found social situations challenging. Someone suggested that rugby might be a good fit for me, and although I was nervous, I decided to give it a try. At the time, I had no idea that a single decision would shape so much of my life.
Walking onto the rugby field for the first time was intimidating. I was overweight, anxious, and convinced that everyone else was more athletic and confident than I was. What I quickly discovered was that rugby is a sport that welcomes everyone. It doesn’t matter what you look like, where you come from, or how experienced you are. There is a place for every player. For the first time, I felt like I truly belonged.
Over the years, rugby helped transform me both physically and mentally. It gave me confidence, improved my health, and taught me how to push through challenges. The sport introduced me to lifelong friendships and taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, respect, and leadership. Every practice and every match helped me become a stronger person both on and off the field.
As my love for rugby grew, I realized I wanted to give back to the sport that had given me so much. One of the most rewarding opportunities has been coaching high school girls rugby. Being able to introduce young athletes to the game and help them develop their skills has been incredibly meaningful. I see a lot of my younger self in some of the players—nervous, unsure, and wondering if they belong. Watching them gain confidence, improve their abilities, and discover what they are capable of is one of the greatest rewards of coaching. It is exciting to know that I can play a small role in helping them build the same confidence and love for rugby that I found years ago.
Perhaps my proudest accomplishment has been helping create the first women’s rugby team in Trail. For many years, women in our area who wanted to play rugby had limited opportunities. A group of us believed our community deserved a women’s team and worked hard to make it happen. Building a team from the ground up was not easy. Recruiting players, organizing practices, creating a team culture, and growing interest in the sport all required dedication and persistence. There were challenges along the way, but seeing women of all ages and experience levels come together to learn, compete, and support one another made every effort worthwhile.
Today, the Trail women’s team is more than just a group of players. It is a community. It provides women with a place to challenge themselves, build friendships, stay active, and experience the unique culture that makes rugby so special. Knowing that I helped create those opportunities for others is something I am incredibly proud of.
This year, I have also taken another step in my rugby journey by becoming a rugby referee. Officiating has given me a completely new perspective on the game and has deepened my understanding of rugby. It has challenged me to continue learning while allowing me to contribute to the sport in another important way. Whether I am playing, coaching, or refereeing, I am helping support the growth of rugby in my community.
Looking back, it is amazing to think about how far rugby has taken me. I started as an anxious Grade 9 student who was simply looking for a place to belong. Today, I am a player, coach, referee, and advocate for the sport. Rugby has shaped who I am, provided me with lifelong friendships, and given me opportunities to make a positive impact on others. My goal is to continue growing the game, supporting athletes, and giving back to the rugby community that has given so much to me.
~Alexandra Schlosser
