Linda and Louise Gabele started playing rugby their sophomore year and have been attached to the sport ever since. The twins moved from New Zealand to the Bay Area during the COVID-19 pandemic and joined the Razorhawks, an East Palo Alto unisex rugby club, and have since been committed team members.
In middle school, Linda and Louise took up soccer while living in Germany and continued the sport after moving to New Zealand, where they realized it was surprisingly similar to rugby.
“Since we’re half Tongan, and rugby is a sport that a lot of Polynesians play, we were introduced to it at a young age,” Linda said. “Since we already knew the game a little, we decided to try it out.”
In New Zealand, the twins were introduced to a “tag” version of the sport, which spiked their interest in playing for the Razorhawks.
“A friend of ours who played for the Razorhawks said that the team needed more girls ,” Louise said. Once joining, Linda and Louise often subbed in for other teams that were in need of players for local games.
During their regular season, from mid-winter until summer break, the twins usually play “tens,” where their team consists of ten players, a smaller number of players than usual. “We don’t have that many numbers. That’s why we always play tens,” Linda added.
Because rugby is a second-semester sport, the twins often dedicate long hours and difficult practices throughout the week, all while balancing it with school. So, when the opportunity arose to become football team managers this fall, the twins saw it as a perfect time to rest, get involved with football, and reset before the next rugby season.
In addition to wanting to see the aggression of football in comparison to rugby, Linda and Louise wanted to have a spirited senior year. “We had a lot of friends already on the football team, mainly the lineman, and we were always with them,” Linda said. “Most days after school we spent with the team until they went to study hall, and we always wanted to hang out longer. So we were like, “Oh, we should become team managers!’”
“It feels like we’re all like a big family when they win and when we all cheer for each other,” Linda said. “It’s the memories that come with being on the sideline, it makes us feel more included.”
“It’s the players that appreciate us, which makes football better and makes us want to do it more,” Louise added.
In the summer, the twins play in teams of sevens, led by their coach, Afa Sanft. “He was probably one of the most influential of our coaches because he had so much faith in us and would always push us until we couldn’t run anymore,” Louise said.
“The way he taught us how to play made sense, and it made us better as teammates,” Linda added. Another coach, Katarina Logan, also played a large role in the twins’ progression in rugby.
“When we play really good teams, even when we’re losing, we experience a really good and rough game,” Linda said. Linda plays winger and occasionally full back while Louise plays outside center and center.
Looking past high school, both sisters are eager to attend college for rugby but are not solely seeking out schools for their rugby teams. Louise plans on sending footage of her games to coaches to show interest and Linda is open to playing in college, too. “I would say I would want to play in college, but if it doesn’t work out, then I guess it just doesn’t work out,” she said.
The twins encourage incoming freshmen to give rugby a try, especially those with a strong soccer background. “Show up and show how committed you are to show the coaches that you actually want to play,” Louise said.
“Rugby is really a team sport, and you can’t just depend on one person to carry the whole team,” Linda said. “Everyone has to do well. And if they don’t all do well, then the whole team will be impacted.”
“It really depends on how everyone feels that day and how they prepare themselves to end up playing on the field,” Louise added. “You need to step up to do your own part and to be mentally and physically prepared.”
If you are interested in joining the Razorhawks rugby team, contact [email protected] to register for the team.
