University of Northern Colorado Student, Haley Avery Finds Home with Rugby Team

Rugby has to be one of the most accepting sports out there, we welcome non-athletes and athletes alike. If you can hang, you can find a place on the pitch that fits you. I was happy to read that the University of Northern Colorado rugby team readily accepted Haley Avery. Why would the hesitate? “Haley was in the eighth grade, and she was looking at some special rocks over a flame for a science fair project in a friend’s kitchen. It had to be dark to see all the crystals in the rocks, only it was too dark, so her friend poured rubbing alcohol over the burner, and when she realized what her friend was doing, and tried to stop her, she was already on fire.” (greeleytribune.com) Haley was burned over 60 percent of her body and was in a medically induced coma for 2 weeks.

After three and a half months in the hospital and countless surgeries Haley wanted to get back into a sport. “Sports were a way to ward off the scar tissue that threatened to mummify her flesh, as well as the pain. Even so, coaches tried to baby her. The women’s coach wouldn’t let her play for her Texas high school basketball team because he was worried she would get hurt, and when she joined other leagues, those coaches kept her off the court whenever the game got too physical.” Read more of Haley’s story at the Greeley Tribune.

Kudos to Haley for her strength and we couldn’t be more proud to welcome a rugger like her to the pitch!