The Fresno State women’s rugby team has been an unrecognized powerhouse, pushing through barriers of gender inequality to establish itself as a force on the field. 

Despite their impressive record and the passion they bring to the sport, they face a series of challenges stemming from a lack of institutional recognition, inadequate resources and above all, the gender disparity that continues to plague collegiate athletics. 

The absence of institutional recognition not only affects the team’s morale but also creates obstacles in recruiting new players. Without official backing from the university, many students remain unaware of the women’s rugby team and the opportunities it offers. This lack of visibility makes it difficult to attract fresh talent, forcing the team to work even harder to sustain their numbers and competitive edge.

Overlooked and under-appreciated

Despite the team’s dedication and accomplishments, they struggle to gain even the smallest amount of recognition from the university. Other sports teams at Fresno State receive promotional support, alumni backing, and a presence in official channels, yet the women’s rugby team remains in the shadows. This lack of institutional acknowledgment does more than hurt morale- it actively stunts the team’s ability to grow and thrive.

“We’re essentially invisible to the university,” said Head Coach Michelle Maldonado. “All of our promotion comes from within the team, through our social media and word of mouth. The university has never celebrated our achievements or even acknowledged our existence in official channels.”

This lack of acknowledgment can have serious implications for the team. Without institutional support, the team is left to promote themselves, which places added pressure on players and coaches to raise awareness and recognition on their own. This situation isn’t unique to Fresno State, but it’s particularly evident in the women’s rugby program, where the burden of visibility falls almost entirely on the players themselves.

“Everything I see coming out about women’s rugby is from us,” said Alexcia Rubio, freshman and 3-year rugby player. “If the university could just recognize us sometimes—share a post or distribute flyers—it would make a huge difference. It would help raise awareness and build pride in what we’ve accomplished.”

 It’s disheartening to know that they are doing the same amount of work, if not more, but without the recognition that their male counterparts receive.

“It feels like we’re constantly fighting for basic acknowledgment,” said senior, Lexey Jenkins. “The men’s team has more support from the university and alumni, while we rely mostly on our own efforts and family support.”

The lack of visibility and support extends beyond the team’s day-to-day operations. The women’s rugby team has accomplished remarkable feats, including victories and championships, yet these successes are often overshadowed by the men’s teams, even in the university’s promotional materials and events.

Playing on unequal ground

One of the most pressing concerns for the team is the subpar state of their practice field. The current field is undersized and poorly maintained which creates significant challenges during preparation. 

The disparities in resources between Fresno State and its competitors are glaring. While other universities like Stanford University and University of California Berkeley provide their teams with top-tier facilities, the women’s rugby team at Fresno State continues to struggle with basic needs. This difference in resources not only impacts their training but also their mental preparation for competition. Practicing on a subpar field forces the team to adjust their game plans and tactics, often undermining their ability to perform at their best when facing opponents with far superior facilities.

“We can’t practice kicking properly because the field is too small,” Jenkins said. “When we get to games on regular-sized fields, it’s a whole different challenge.” 

It is as though they are starting behind from the very beginning. Other schools that they play against, such as Stanford University, have whole fields and locker rooms. Coach Maldonado even states that she has seen the University of California, Berkeley’s team practicing on their school’s football field. 

Coach Maldonado elaborated on the safety concerns.

“The field doesn’t even have lights, so we have to bring and set up our own,” Maldonado said. “It’s right next to a busy street, which is dangerous, and sometimes the sprinklers come on during practice. We had a player come up to us and say, my kicks aren’t going as far. I’m like, yeah, because she’s practicing in this kind of field.” 

This situation presents a clear safety hazard for the athletes. Not only does the lack of lighting create the potential for accidents during evening practices, but the proximity to a busy street adds an additional layer of risk. The fact that the players have to deal with unexpected interruptions, like sprinklers turning on mid-practice, further diminishes the quality of their training environment. These issues are not just inconveniences—they actively compromise the players’ ability to practice safely and effectively, impacting their preparedness for competition.

Not only do they have to bring their own lights, but the university didn’t even help fund them; the teams had to buy the lights themselves. It’s difficult to prepare athletes for the level of competition they’ll face when the conditions are so far from ideal.

“It’s hard to feel ready for ‘game time’ when you’re practicing on a field that isn’t even properly sized for the sport,” Rubio said.

This unresolved issue doesn’t give the team the confidence or mental preparation they need to excel.

A simple yet effective solution would be for the team to use the kinesiology field on campus, which has proper maintenance, lights and the space necessary for their practices. The fact that such a basic request has yet to be fulfilled speaks volumes about the level of support that the women’s team receives compared to other sports on campus.

The parking pass challenge

Another issue that disproportionately affects the team is the lack of parking passes for the coaches. Maldonado said that the coaches have had to purchase $5.00 day passes every time they come to practice, which happens three times a week. 

“It’s a small issue but one that adds up,” Maldonado said.

Parking passes would make it easier for coaches to focus on their roles, and not logistical issues. It’s a simple gesture, but it would make a big difference.

While the women’s rugby team is a club sport, the expectation that they should fund such basic necessities themselves further highlights the disparity between men’s and women’s programs at Fresno State. Providing parking passes for coaches would be a basic form of support that would make their jobs easier and help validate the work they put into developing the athletes.

Unequal treatment, unequal expectations

The gender disparity between the men’s and women’s rugby teams at Fresno State is painfully evident. While the two teams share a collaborative relationship, the women’s team continues to face obstacles that the men’s team does not. 

While the women’s rugby team is working hard to build its own network of support, the men’s team benefits from a more established infrastructure that provides them with substantial advantages. The disparity isn’t just about access to funding—it’s about a broader system of support that the men’s team receives from alumni, the university, and the community. This network translates into better equipment, upgraded facilities, and a greater presence in Fresno State’s athletic program. The result is a reinforced cycle where the men’s team gets more recognition and resources, which in turn attracts more support, while the women’s team is left to scrape by with limited resources and recognition.

The men’s team receives more alumni support, funding and resources—benefits that extend beyond simple financial assistance. These advantages allow the men’s team to gain better equipment, facilities and recognition, further reinforcing the inequality between the two groups.

“It’s a clear double standard,” said Maldonado. “The men’s team has more alumni connections, more fundraising support and a greater presence in the university’s spotlight. We’re grateful for the few resources they’re able to share with us, but it’s not enough to level the playing field.” 

The disparity extends beyond tangible resources and into public perception.

“When I tell people I play women’s rugby, they’re shocked,” said Rubio. “It’s like they’ve only ever thought of men playing the sport. It’s frustrating, but it also shows how much work we need to do to change that mindset.”

Rugby is an intense, exciting sport, and it’s time people saw women as just as capable of playing it as men.

Solutions and moving forward

The players and coach have proposed several practical steps to address these inequities and create a more supportive environment for the women’s rugby team at Fresno State. 

“Recognition doesn’t have to be costly,” said Jenkins. “A simple post on the university’s social media or a mention in newsletters could help us recruit new players, build awareness and boost our morale. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to acknowledge our efforts.”

Rubio suggested a club sports fair to introduce students to lesser-known sports.

“A lot of people don’t even know rugby exists here,” said Rubio. “If we had a day where students could try out club sports, it might open their eyes and help grow our team. It could also help students realize that women’s rugby is just as exciting as any other sport.”

The team also called for improvements to their facilities and equitable funding. 

“We’re not asking for much,” said Jenkins. “Just a safe, properly sized field and some recognition for what we’ve accomplished. We work hard, sacrifice, and pour our hearts into this sport. We deserve that much.”  

It is disheartening to know that this team is proudly representing a school that does not seem to even care about their basic necessities or practice conditions. 

It’s time for change

The Fresno State Women’s Rugby team exemplifies resilience, determination and a commitment to excellence despite limited resources. They have built a strong community, achieved success and made a lasting impact on their players and fans. However, in order to truly thrive, they need the university to step up and provide the support they deserve.

“Rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports, and the women’s side is growing just as rapidly,” said Rubio. “If people just gave it a chance, they’d see how incredible it is. But we need the university to help us get there.”

The Fresno State’s Women’s Rugby team is not just fighting for more resources—they’re fighting for respect and equality in collegiate sports. With the right support, they could become a powerful example of what is possible when women’s sports receive the attention and recognition they deserve. It’s time for Fresno State to recognize its women’s rugby team, not just as athletes, but as trailblazers for gender equity in sports.

With the proper resources and institutional backing, this team could inspire a new generation of players and fans, proving that equality in sports is not just a dream, but a goal within reach.

Correction: In a previous version of this article a source’s name was misspelled.