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Nov 6, 2009 5:55 pm US/Eastern
Pittsburgh Angels To Compete In Rugby Tournament
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
A group of local women is set to compete this weekend for a national championship in Houston, Texas.
"I love it. I'm absolutely addicted," says Jaime Filipek, the captain of the Pittsburgh Angels. "[It's] something that in the winter, I miss tremendously."
The Pittsburgh Angels are the only women's rugby team in town. It includes lawyers, teachers and nurses alike all scrumming and rucking - just like the guys.
"[The] Pittsburgh Angels are a group of great women, dedicated to being athletic … these girls want to be athletic, want to be competitive and they want to hit," said Brian Wood, the Angels' coach.
Wood has been coaching the Angels since 2005, and this year led them to a perfect season, which will end this weekend at USA Rugby's National Tournament in Houston.
"This is huge, a lot of girls worked a long time for this," says Wood. "This is the real deal."
There are only two requirements join the team: you must be an 18-year-old consenting adult and have to have medical insurance.
And the girls say they practice in all types of weather.
"There is never a cancellation for games, practice… [we] play in all types of weather – rain, snow - we're out there," said Kristen Ferko, another captain for the Angels.
But the girls are tough and enjoy the game.
"To wear your sweatshirt and have people say, 'You play Rugby? You're really small.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, but watch me run," said Filipek.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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