FHS senior rugby manager Lauryn Steiner was once a player for the team, but now helps in a different way. Due to a severed wrist tendon, Steiner was unable to play during this season. 

   “I asked my coaches how I could still support the team, and they offered me a manager position,” Steiner said. “In my experience there was more responsibility involved being a player. I have a lot of responsibilities on the sideline in terms of keeping track of what’s going on, but being the sole person responsible for running your plays and being exactly where you need to be on the field is a lot [more] to manage.” 

  Steiner played with the team in previous years in the position of hooker, but surgery on her wrist kept her off the field this season. She says it is unlikely she will play again in the future of her career. 

   “I injured my wrist pretty badly playing rugby, and had surgery about 6 months ago,” Steiner said. “I’m not ready to think about playing again, but I still love watching and supporting my team. During the off-season training I helped coach the players who would be taking over my position as hooker.” 

  With a different set of skills needed as manager, Steiner said she always made herself open to questions, supporting the team in every way she could by giving encouragement before, during and after games. 

   “In terms of responsibilities, I take stats, keep score, record games, run water and inhalers and sometimes run touch-judge during the game,” Steiner said. “My position is a lot more hands-off than it was before, but I feel like I understand the game better seeing it in a big-picture view.” 

  After being asked if she would want to be a manager again, she said “absolutely.” 

   “I love my team and I love still being able to support them,” Steiner said. “I often miss playing and wish I was still out there from time to time, but I wouldn’t miss seeing this team grow for anything. Mudsock Girls Rugby has offered me so much support and I love giving that back any time I can.”