Grace the Busy Beaver part Dos.

I thank you all for reading the first part of this Q&A, there was so much to share I had to split it in two. Grace is very honest and open about her experience thus far playing collegiate rugby and her opinions on development of the women's game. On February 10th western Washington will visit corvallis to take on the Beavers. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Grace and Sydney,  previous Q&A, battle each other on the pitch and an opportunity to show my young ones a battle of titans and future USA Eagles. 

  LLR- How was your experience playing with the pacific coast grizzlies, what lessons did you take away from that experience?  

G- Playing with the Grizzlies was an absolute honor. I felt super out of my depth and was shocked to be selected. I’ve always been pretty small for a forward, but getting to play with and against some of the best players in the country really increased my confidence and hugely increased my on field rugby IQ. I learned how to trust myself, effective communication with new teammates, and by the end honestly just how to play my game and that I have some unique strengths that can make me an asset. Particularly in incurring a lot of penalties by often being high tackled.  

LLR- What are you currently majoring in while attending OSU?  

G- I’m currently about halfway through my PhD in Environmental Science with a focus on Climate Change, studying medicinal plants and healthcare systems. 

LLR- What are your plans for after college, is rugby still going to be a part of that future?  

G- I don’t know if anyone doing their PhD has any clue what they are going to do when they are done. I have tons of great options, from working with the National Parks Service to working privately in GIS or even teaching college students. The goal is for rugby to be in my future as long as possible, I’d love to move somewhere with a WPL team and start playing more professionally. Honestly, I'd like to get to the highest level of play that I can. 

LLR- How was playing with the Oregon Sharks?  

G- Playing with the Sharks is fun, in Iowa 7s was kind of our bread and butter so it’s a game I’m pretty familiar with. It’s certainly intimidating to play with some of the most promising players in the nation in 7s, but aspects of it really taught me what kind of player and captain I want to be with my own team as well.

 

LLR- With the 2033 world cup, what's one location you think should host a set of matches?  

G- Obviously, I’m partial to the US, because I’d love to have it on home turf, but I also think we should try to spread it out from the west. Japan recently hosted for the men, and I think it would be great to have the women play there, too.  

 LLR- Let me ask a hypothetical question, and I like answering these myself personally. Magic wand scenario, there is a creation of a woman's MLR competition. Where would you like to see some teams placed and by when would you like to see something like this start?  

G- I mean, having the Women’s Premier League, I feel, is pretty similar. So honestly, magic wand scenario, we start funding the talented women’s teams that already exist and also increase the teams throughout the US. It shocks me that there are no WPL teams in the south, I’d love to see something in LA, NOLA, something in the Carolinas, Texas, etc. We have a lot of opportunities to expand women’s rugby in the US.

LLR- Do you think a competition like the PR7s has been helpful in raising the level of play for the women's side of rugby?  

G- Oh definitely! PR7s has also given so many talented players the ability to be seen as the high level players they are. I feel blessed to have played with so many people who play PR7s and I hope they continue to get more opportunities at high level play because of it. The marketing of PR7s has done a lot for rugby players.

LLR- You're a recruiter going into a high school classroom and your job is to pitch why those kids should join a university and play rugby, what are you telling them?  

G- That rugby has been my biggest source of stress relief and confidence. That there are very few other opportunities to be allowed to use your body in contact, to be aggressive, and to take up space. Sports in general, but I think rugby uniquely teaches women+ players to take up space with your body and voice. It grows athleticism, community, and confidence like few other sports I’ve played. Plus, how often do you get to tackle people and be cheered at for doing it?

LLR- Favorite eating place in Corvallis, Oregon, also favorite eating place in Iowa City ?  

G- Favorite in Corvallis has to be Evergreen Indian Restaurant, that’s my go to when I have something to celebrate or when I’ve finished grading a lot of exams. Iowa City has to be either Trumpet Blossom or Crêpes de Luxe, both huge players for the veggie people in IC. 

Besure to fallow grace through her Instagram-> @gracegalles

Grace the busy Beaver - part UNO

  

 When something like this does come together I am very excited and very proud to be able to share with you a small insight into another player/club that most may not have an opportunity to hear about since most of the larger publishing sites tend to focus on the bigger named schools. None the less I am very excited to shine the light on an amazing rugby player whos' played collegiate rugby in two different regions of our country and has contributed so much to both program's. Grace Galles is a very passionate person about her role with Oregon State University's rugby club and also where she would like to see her personally and professionally. A jack of all trades in the back line Grace can be another name you all will hear come 2033. personally I look forward to seeing her in person play while also showing my own young girls a positive role model to aspire to here in Corvallis.

This is part 1 of 2, part two will be published in the coming days.

LLR- Where are you from originally? 

G- I grew up on a farm, but the closest town was Washta, IA.

LLR- How are you liking living in the Pacific northwest?  

G- I love living in the PNW! It’s admittedly very different from living in the Midwest and takes some adjustment, but it is incredibly beautiful (and much more temperate).

 

LLR- How was your playing experience when you played for Iowa?  

G- My experience with Iowa was pretty split. My teammates were and continue to be inspirations and fantastic leaders in rugby at the collegiate, international, and coaching levels. At the same time, the experience with my coach at the time sort of soured my experience and made my growth as a young rugby player pretty difficult.

LLR- How is your experience with OSU and are there some differences between the two clubs?  

G- OSU has been fantastic. It’s pretty similar in that when I have played for both, we have been developing teams. I personally love building up teams and encouraging a new generation of players. The biggest difference has been the unmitigated support I’ve gotten at Oregon State, and the confidence my coaches have in me to continue to compete at a higher level.

LLR- Your role with OSU is social media, is there any frustration with that role or opposite?  

G- Social media has been super fun! I actually design most of our posts in between sets at the gym, so it isn’t too time consuming, and I’ve have gotten a lot of kind words from teammates on how our social media has been looking. It’s a fun position, and I love seeing our fan base grow.

LLR- How has the current season been going for the Lady Beavers?  

G- The current season has been really promising thus far. We have ~50 active players, which has been such a big change from barely fielding a 15s side the past few years. This means we have a ton of new players, but they are all so incredibly driven and talented. We’ve had a few rough matches but each started out with so much intensity and promise that I’m looking forward to what the winter season has to bring. Oh, and our developing side is undefeated, so the future is looking pretty bright

 LLR- What's been one of your highlights while playing with OSU?  

G- In terms of overall, it has probably been getting to learn so many new positions. A year ago, because of a teammate being sick, I got moved to scrumhalf for the first time and have been there ever since. I’ve recently played 8, and while I’m not sure that’s my calling, it has definitely been fun to play around. In terms of individual moments, playing 7s this last spring and absolutely dominating gave our team so much confidence and really shocked quite a few other teams and refs. 

LLR- There is a push to get women’s rugby to varsity status with the NCAA, in your opinion since playing with two collegiate club teams, should both IOWA and OSU move to make each club Varsity or are they just fine being at club status?  

G- Honestly, this is a tough question. Varsity sports get more funding, more attention, and there is a lack of contact sports for women at the collegiate level that definitely needs to be addressed. For that, I think varsity status would do a lot of good for clubs like OSU and Iowa. But that also implies that we have enough younger players to be recruited and competitive at a varsity level. I’m all for varsity status, I know that is a huge goal for both teams. But I also think we need to build at younger ages first to start seeing that kind of growth in the US

LLR- How can people follow yourself and the Beavers?  

G- I’m @gracegalles on I think every social I have ever had, and the OSU team is @osuwomxnrugby on Instagram and we livestream on @OregonStateWomxnsRugby on YouTube!