Building Wellness and Belonging Through Rugby

The Golden and Panda Bearrister Law Rugby Teams are looking for support for our rugby program. The rugby program strengthens wellness, belonging, and equity within the University of Alberta Faculty of Law community. 

Law school is demanding, and there are often high levels of stress and limited opportunities for physical activity and community building. Rugby offers a unique outlet because it fosters teamwork, resilience, and balance while creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Through regular practices, team events, and community programs, this program will ensure that every law student, regardless of their athletic background or financial circumstances, will have the opportunity to participate in a positive initiative.

The program will operate through the academic year and will include training sessions, skill development opportunities for new and experienced players, and organized matches against other Western Canadian universities and University of Alberta alumni teams. Coaching will emphasize safe play, inclusivity, and team work. Both teams will be equally supported to ensure gender equity and build a culture of fairness and respect.

Off the field, the program will contribute to the broader law school experience. Participation in sport promotes stress relief, mental health, and a sense of belonging which ultimately helps students manage the challenges of legal education. Team members form mentorship connections, with upper-year players guiding new law students academically and socially. To extend the impact further, the teams will host community-building events, including an alumni game to strengthen connections between current students, alumni, and faculty.

Grant funding will be used to cover expenses to ensure finances are never a barrier. The result will be a sustainable program that promotes wellness, inclusivity, and pride within the University of Alberta Law community. By embedding rugby into the law school experience, this project will create lasting traditions and strengthen the bonds between students, alumni and the broader community.

The primary beneficiaries of this project are students within the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. Law school is known for being academically rigorous and stressful. Many students struggle to balance the demands of coursework and professional development with their personal well-being. This rugby program will provide law students with an outlet that promotes physical activity, teamwork, and social connection, which can address the challenges of isolation and stress that are common in legal education.

The program will benefit law students of all years and backgrounds, including those who may not have prior athletic experience. By structuring the teams to welcome all skill levels, the program ensures inclusivity and accessibility. Both the Golden and Panda Bearrister teams will receive equal support to reinforce gender equity and offer opportunities for women to participate in a traditionally male-dominated sport. The program will also benefit students facing financial barriers, as the grant will help cover costs so that no student is excluded due to limited resources.

Beyond individual student players, the program benefits the broader law school community by creating opportunities for mentorship and connection. First-year law students can build friendships and find guidance from upper-year teammates to help them navigate the challenges of law school with support. Faculty and staff benefit indirectly by seeing stronger student wellness and a more positive, connected community.

The impact will extend beyond current students. Alumni will be engaged through events such as the alumni game, which strengthens ties between graduates and the Faculty of Law. This creates an intergenerational network of support that benefits both current students and alumni who wish to remain connected to their school.

Finally, the legal community at large will benefit from the development of well-rounded future lawyers. By promoting wellness, resilience, and teamwork, the program helps prepare students to enter the legal profession with healthier habits, stronger interpersonal skills, and a greater sense of community responsibility.