BRFC Forward: Vanessa Chang
Blackswrugby: How did you get introduced to rugby?
Van: I was unable to reject my enthusiastic friend (SRC's Angel Tan) and I found myself at a PLAY clinic in 2008 (I think). After which Chongs contacted me and asked if I would like to play for Blacks Babies (what a name) for the under 21 category for midnight 7s so here I am since then. When I started with Blacks in 2008 I reserved commitment- I told the girls it was due to Uni commitments but really it was because I had no friends and Leel kept screaming at me because I kept dropping the ball (HAHA).
Whats positions do you normally play?
Van: I'm a hooker now ;) but when I started I used to play prop as well which was the position that earned me in a spot in the national team in the first place.
Blackswrugby: Whats your take on Womens Rugby?
Van: Playing with heart is the best and the key driving force when it comes to playing this sport. Passion and also a slightly masochistic attitude towards pain. I believe that women's rugby is like a mettle detector. How we behave on the field is so reflective of how we behave in life in so many ways- if we have the grit or tenacity for great things. Also that most people are somehow predisposed towards drama.
Blackswrugby: What is your most memorable moments in Blacks? (i know there are many, just list a few)
Van: I would say most trips are pretty good memory worthy events- especially the flies invested Perth trip in 2011 and the frosty Hongkong trip in 2010 (can't remember the year whoops).
But the one defining local memory was when we lost the nwr 2 years back and trooped of to to newton for some tiger beers. I think I'll remember everything unspoken that night for a long time to come.
Blackswrugby: What's the best thing that happened to you in Blacks?
Van: Cliched enough, the best thing about rugby is the people you meet, the bonds you forge and the camaraderie. Its pretty amazing to meet so many people in Blacks who are so genuine.
Blackswrugby: What do you feel is the toughest thing about Rugby?
Van: The toughest bit about rugby is to lose a teammate to injury. Its hard to see someone who play their soul out and has always got your back have to go through the tough phrase of recovery and you not being able to do much.
Oh but watching them bounce back harder is also one of the biggest encouragement for the team. :)
Blackswrugby: Any moments that you felt like giving up? What made you press on?
Van: I say "I need to quit rugby" on a yearly basis every time a 7s season comes around. Haha. But love for the sport and for the club keeps me around (*cues aww*).
Blackswrugby: Own up. what's the most embarrassing moment that happened to you during a game?
Van: Nothing much honestly. Sure I've stood on the opponent's side during kick off & lineouts a couple of times, but thats normal right?
Blackswrugby: What your pre-game ritual? any secrets?
Van: Judge away- I pray that the first high ball doesn't come my way.
Blackswrugby: How do you manage Rugby and beautiful fingernails? any tips?
Van: Erm..rugby and nail polish typically don't coexist but having ruined fingernails after every training is perfect excuse to slap on so fresh colour so yay!
Blackswrugby: Does training days have an impact on your a-bag-a-day feat?
Van:HMMM. Well as many of you may know I have a small bag collection. On rugby days (most days) I have to factor in the size of my bag when selecting them from my bag 'closet' which means I can't always carry the cuter, smaller ones.
Blackswrugby: What's your advice for the rookies in Blacks?
Van: Stick around. Soon you'll start relishing all aspects of the game and learn that theres so much things worth learning and so much satisfaction involved. If you hang out long enough, people will stop screaming at you (and you will start screaming) and you will know people that can shape your life (positively I hope) and you'll be proud to call friends & teammates.
Oh and play with heart. :)
Blackswrugby: If theres one thing that you could do to change the world, what is it?
Van: I would make hot dogs a healthy food.
Whats positions do you normally play?
Van: I'm a hooker now ;) but when I started I used to play prop as well which was the position that earned me in a spot in the national team in the first place.
Blackswrugby: Whats your take on Womens Rugby?
Van: Playing with heart is the best and the key driving force when it comes to playing this sport. Passion and also a slightly masochistic attitude towards pain. I believe that women's rugby is like a mettle detector. How we behave on the field is so reflective of how we behave in life in so many ways- if we have the grit or tenacity for great things. Also that most people are somehow predisposed towards drama.
Blackswrugby: What is your most memorable moments in Blacks? (i know there are many, just list a few)
Van: I would say most trips are pretty good memory worthy events- especially the flies invested Perth trip in 2011 and the frosty Hongkong trip in 2010 (can't remember the year whoops).
But the one defining local memory was when we lost the nwr 2 years back and trooped of to to newton for some tiger beers. I think I'll remember everything unspoken that night for a long time to come.
Blackswrugby: What's the best thing that happened to you in Blacks?
Van: Cliched enough, the best thing about rugby is the people you meet, the bonds you forge and the camaraderie. Its pretty amazing to meet so many people in Blacks who are so genuine.
Blackswrugby: What do you feel is the toughest thing about Rugby?
Van: The toughest bit about rugby is to lose a teammate to injury. Its hard to see someone who play their soul out and has always got your back have to go through the tough phrase of recovery and you not being able to do much.
Oh but watching them bounce back harder is also one of the biggest encouragement for the team. :)
Blackswrugby: Any moments that you felt like giving up? What made you press on?
Van: I say "I need to quit rugby" on a yearly basis every time a 7s season comes around. Haha. But love for the sport and for the club keeps me around (*cues aww*).
Blackswrugby: Own up. what's the most embarrassing moment that happened to you during a game?
Van: Nothing much honestly. Sure I've stood on the opponent's side during kick off & lineouts a couple of times, but thats normal right?
Blackswrugby: What your pre-game ritual? any secrets?
Van: Judge away- I pray that the first high ball doesn't come my way.
Blackswrugby: How do you manage Rugby and beautiful fingernails? any tips?
Van: Erm..rugby and nail polish typically don't coexist but having ruined fingernails after every training is perfect excuse to slap on so fresh colour so yay!
Blackswrugby: Does training days have an impact on your a-bag-a-day feat?
Van:HMMM. Well as many of you may know I have a small bag collection. On rugby days (most days) I have to factor in the size of my bag when selecting them from my bag 'closet' which means I can't always carry the cuter, smaller ones.
Blackswrugby: What's your advice for the rookies in Blacks?
Van: Stick around. Soon you'll start relishing all aspects of the game and learn that theres so much things worth learning and so much satisfaction involved. If you hang out long enough, people will stop screaming at you (and you will start screaming) and you will know people that can shape your life (positively I hope) and you'll be proud to call friends & teammates.
Oh and play with heart. :)
Blackswrugby: If theres one thing that you could do to change the world, what is it?
Van: I would make hot dogs a healthy food.
No comments:
Post a Comment