In 2012, two recent college graduates and incoming Teach for America (TFA) corps members were struck by the lack of opportunity that existed for their students after school. So they started a rugby team. That team grew into Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR), a volunteer-driven nonprofit, now with six competitive teams and a mission to intentionally partner with schools in low-income neighborhoods to bring rugby as a zero-cost opportunity to both the schools and their students, breaking down barriers to access so every kid gets a chance to play. In so doing, MICR has also broken down barriers between traditionally divided parts of our community, resulting in over 120% growth in racial and socio-economic diversity in West Tennessee rugby since 2012. Mandatory study halls before practice and value-based coaching insure academic and personal success for the students. Weekly yoga sessions provide emotional regulation and mindfulness as well as injury prevention and flexibility. Scholarships are available for college camps, all-star teams, and travel. Players are graduating, getting scholarships to play rugby, and going to college.
We talk with Isabel, MICR board member and unofficial photographer, a former teacher who assisted her fiance, Andres, when he was coaching the first girls team. She explains that MICR began with only boys teams until girls in the schools that had teams fought to have teams of their own. Now, just a few years later, there are three girls teams, and one of them has already won two state championships.
Like MICR’s founders, Andres was a TFA teacher. He coached some of the first teams in Memphis, including the now championship girls team. We caught up with him when he flew back from medical school to attend the girls’ championship ring ceremony; to serve as a surprise guest coach at a practice with their current coach, Tracey; and to see Isabel, of course! He explains how at first he didn’t even think there would be interest in a girls team. Once they formed one, Andres says that he knew after their first game how much potential they had, even though they lost. He describes the access gaps that exist in rugby and how the unfairness of those lost opportunities motivated him to start coaching.
Tracey, the current coach of the girls team, tells us that there is a place in rugby for every body type and athletic ability. She explains how rugby gives girls who might be struggling with body image the chance to compete and excel. While in college, Tracey started volunteering as an assistant to her friend who was coaching the girls team. She later became a teacher and coach at the school where she had volunteered and took the girls to their second state championship last season.
We follow the girls to their ring ceremony, a couple of practices, a game, and a special clinic with visiting rugby legend, Phaidra Knight. We end with Isabel’s hope that MICR is able to continue inspiring more students to succeed and providing support to them when they struggle. We are grateful to the teachers, coaches, and supporters of MICR who are transforming lives and our community.
