May 29 and 30
Esher RFC, Surrey
FIXTURES
PARTICIPATING
CLUBS
Kings Cross Steelers
London, England
(host club)
Austin Lonestars
Texas, USA
Boston Ironsides
Massachusetts, USA
Caledonian Thebans
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dallas Diablos
Texas, USA
Gotham Knights
New York, USA
IGRAB Barbarians
All over the world!
Los Angeles Rebellion
California, USA
Philadelphia Gryphons
Pennsylvania, USA
San Francisco Fog
California, USA
Seattle Quake
Washington, USA
Sydney Convicts
Sydney, Australia
Village Spartans
Manchester, England
Washington Renegades
Washington DC, USA
SPONSORS
of
Bingham Cup 2004
OFFICIAL
PARTNERS
Eagle Eye Bukowski
by Allison Livingstone-Whitton
If someone is a true athlete, they have to play sports; it’s in their blood. They won’t be held back by people’s perceptions.
Lois Bukowski spent 15 happy years playing rugby at No 8 for the Berkeley All Blues, UCLA, Coast and the University of Pennsylvania. Her playing career included winning the National Championships six times in a row with the All Blues and playing for the United States Eagles. Lois is married to her partner Katie and works as a life coach in California. She is also the ONLY female referee for the Bingham Cup. We caught up to ask a few questions…
Is a natural progression do you think, for a successful player to look to develop or extend their rugby career by either coaching or refereeing?
Yes, I do. However, I realize that not everyone is up for the time commitment, the dedication or challenge. I really can’t imagine my life without rugby; even if it’s as a spectator someday. Rugby is more than just a sport. It has shaped me in so many ways and I enjoy the atmosphere and relationships I have developed because of my involvement with it. I also love the idea of giving back to the sport that influenced my life in so many ways.
How did you go about training to be a referee?
I threatened to retire from the All Blues several times before I finally did, but all the while I was trying to figure out how to transition from playing high level, competitive rugby to something else. Refereeing seemed like a good way to go. There were never many women refs around, but I didn’t even consider that a barrier. So, in 1999 I attended a women’s 10s tournament at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. This gave people interested in refereeing an opportunity to shadow an experienced referee. I refereed part time the next 2 years, mostly doing collegiate women’s matches or my club’s friendlies. Finally, after retiring in 2002 I started refereeing every Saturday.
Women consistently have to fight that much harder to prove their worth in a sporting arena and to be taken seriously, do you think this puts off younger players who might feel they just won’t get the support or recognition they deserve?
No I don’t. I think it has been very acceptable for women to play sports for many years now, especially since 1972 and Title 9 when women gained access to collegiate sports teams.
The situation in Britain is that women’s teams are gradually being much better resourced and clubs are working hard on providing the sort of infrastructure that supports women’s and youth teams: is this true in America?
No, sadly it is not for the US Women’s National Team. Since the 1991 and 1994 US Women’s World Cup victories the rest of the world has caught up (England, New Zealand in particular) and passed the US Women in funding and playing opportunities. However, the youth movement is getting a lot of resources and funding for both boys and girls teams. U-19 rugby is exploding and the Collegiate Women continue to be one of the fastest growing segments.
Do you think there is an assumption that if you play sports and you’re a woman, you must be a lesbian? If yes, does this bother you?
No, I don’t think that assumption holds true anymore. In the past, yes, women who played sports were more likely to be thought of as masculine or lesbian. Now with the advent of professional women’s basketball, soccer and beach volleyball, sports are sexy. Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and Lisa Leslie are just a few who come to mind as women who are feminine and athletic. Now rugby, that’s a different story as it is definitely not a mainstream sport here in the US. I believe there is still a perception that rugby is a sport played by a lot of lesbians, but there are plenty of “out” straight women who play as well.
Who inspires you and did they encourage you to carry on and develop such a successful career?
Liz Kirk, Kim Green and Kathy Flores. Kathy is the current US National Team coach and my former coach and teammate. Kathy and I joined the Berkeley All Blues the same year; her after many years as player-coach at Florida State University Club side. She is truly one of the most inspirational and knowledgeable people I’ve every known in rugby. As a teammate she was someone who inspired people by her actions, not just words. As a coach, she is constantly evaluating her own strengths and weaknesses so that she can provide excellent coaching and support to her teams.
Do male players take you as seriously as they would one of your male colleagues when you referee a match?
You’d really have to ask them to truly know. I believe that most players have perceptions about a referee regardless of their gender. (What can Lois mean?! Ed.) I do think that female referees have something a little extra to overcome just by the sheer fact that there are not a lot of us around and players aren’t used to seeing us. But, when I step onto the field I’ve done everything I possibly can to present myself as professional, serious and fair.
What’s the worst injury you’ve suffered as a player / what’s the worst injury you’ve witnessed as a referee?
I think my broken nose was the worst, or the separated collarbone. The nose injury was like running straight into a brick wall. Witnessed: probably a broken femur.
If you had a magic wand (!) what would you do to improve the situation of the game in America for women?
Give the WNT more money so they were fully funded to allow them to train and practice fulltime and travel to play more tests. Make women’s rugby a NCAA varsity sport. Increase participation in girls’ high school rugby. Have more camps for minis. Where’s the wand? (Ask the Kings Cross Steelers…. Ed.)
How do you feel being the only female referee at the world’s largest international gay rugby tournament?
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be around a bunch of dedicated, fun rugby players and referees. I thank the organizers for inviting me.
Finally, what’s the one thing you are determined to do while you’re in London?
Well, I’ve been here before twice, so I’ve already done a lot, but I’ve never gone to high tea and I would love to. Any recommendations?
After taking the sad decision to cancel the Women’s Exhibition Match due to a clash with the National 7s, it’s fantastic news that men won’t be the only ones involved in the world’s largest international gay rugby tournament. We’re not impressed often, but Lois is a fantastic example of guts, skill and determination. We wish Lois the best and look forward to welcoming her and Katie to the Bingham Cup 2004.
