In defence of rugby lads

Why is there such a sense of profound disapproval in Lizard Lounge when the rugby players enter? The rugby ‘lads’ are generally strong in stature, thunderous and have the honour of relatively good looks, unkempt beards and toned biceps. 

They’re viewed with contempt – they’re seen to be constantly drunk, misogynistic, chauvinistic and elitist. They revel in their own jokes, chants and ‘good chat’.

Rugby lads: stop criticising them

This stereotype might have some grounding, but it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve respect. Six members of the 1^st rugby team are Medics, with a workload unbeknownst to a Humanities student. In the morning they’re studying and in the afternoon they are playing one of the most physically demanding sports. In the evening they take time out to get dramatically intoxicated and perhaps incarcerated. Do I blame them? Of course not.

Whilst I acknowledge there are many different sports and societies known for their rowdiness, can you think of an activity more physically damaging, challenging or psychologically demanding? The Rugby team compete in the best league table in the south of England, representing the only University in the league not specialising in ‘Sports Science’.

We should be proud of these people and stop belittling and berating them for supposedly ‘bad behaviour’. There’s nothing arrogant about running around naked and jumping into an icy pool in the middle of December – it is stupid, but very entertaining. Most of us enjoy drinking and many of us do drugs. You have no right to criticise the Rugby lads, when you probably do exactly the same thing.

And let’s face it, when they have fun, they do it with style.

More talented and brave than other Bristol students

The majority of students at Bristol are not socially, politically or athletically active, whereas the Rugby players are. They do something that takes them beyond academia, a sport most students are too unskilled and lazy to do.

Whilst most students are sitting at their desks, watching endless TV shows and procrastinating, these Bristol sporting representatives are fighting tirelessly for our University, with comparatively low funds and poor facilities.

Something a lot of these hypersensitive idiots don’t realise is the chants and culture the ‘lads’ espouse is one based on irony. They realise full well they’re viewed with spite and derision throughout the University, and they play to the stereotype of the protein-pumped alpha male; relishing in the possibility of frustrating a stuck-up puritanical Epibore prude.

Frankly, I defend their right to annoy the monotonous, boring, dull and drab.

The most absurd label they’re given is elitist. The argument “rugby lads only socialise with people like themselves” is simply ludicrous. As social animals, we naturally befriend those similar to us and fraternise with like-minded individuals. It would be illogical to say otherwise. The repudiation of the ‘elitist’ claim is rife in its simplicity. They show solidarity, working together, playing together and socialising together.

Infants of Bristol, cease in your bitter tirade against people who represent you abroad, work harder than you and are simply attempting to enjoy the one and only life we have. To be honest, the rest of you currently make for very tedious company with your constant whining.