This weekend, hundreds of fans will pile into Infinity Park for the start of the HSBC Sevens Series. Among those fans will be Karen Ekernas and her seven-year-old daughter, Elin Ekernas. As a former player, Dr. Ekernas knows the benefits of rugby and is thrilled to watch her daughter's interest in rugby take flight.
"She was always peripherally aware of the game because my husband and I were both former players and would watch matches together. We brought her to the HSBC USA Sevens last year. She riveted - like she has found her sport,' said Dr. Ekernas.
"She got to meet some of the American rugby players when they came into the stands to sign balls that day. It was really meaningful for her to have that close interaction and see them from just a few feet away.'
"From that moment on, she was all in,' Ekernas added.
Ekernas added that in addition to getting involved with Girls Rugby Inc. in Colorado, her young rugger also watches as much rugby as she possibly can – this includes tournaments, highlights and player interviews.
"She has watched so many matches from last year's Seven Series to the point that I can tell which game it is by the national anthems that are playing.'
But that doesn't bother Ekernas because she passionately knows the value of rugby.
"I think it is a great sport, for women especially, because there is so much emphasis on strength and empowerment. There is room for lots of different types of skills and body types, which shows how every girl has something unique that she can bring to the team.'
Best of all, Ekernas says this is an excellent time for her daughter to get involved with the sport.
"When I was playing, there were not many female role models for me to look up to. Today, I don't think my daughter can name a single male rugby player, but she can probably name 30 women professional rugby players.'
Ekernas went on to say, "It amazes me how this generation of girls can say I want to be like Portia Woodman or my daughter can say she wants to be like Alev Kelter.'
Ekernas and her daughter will get another opportunity to watch these role models in action this weekend.
"We each take something a little different away from it. For my daughter, seeing the Women's Eagles Sevens play reaffirms that this is something she can do - that playing rugby is a goal that is achievable and
realistic.'
"For me, I continued to love and follow the game after playing in college. To see how much the sport has evolved is spectacular. The women truly put it all down on the field, and no one can question if they should be playing or if they are playing at the highest standard.'
Ekernas secured her tickets during an online auction that directly supported the Women's Eagles Sevens program – which she feels has many reasons to warrant the support.
"I personally gained so much during the time I was able to play. And now, I am seeing the impact it is having on my daughter. I want to grow the game for other girls and women that want to play. Plus, I want to
support the national team as the wonderful players and athletes that they
are,' Ekernas concluded.
Join this mother-daughter duo and hundreds of other Women's Eagles Sevens fans this weekend at Infinity Park for the start of the HSBC Sevens Series. Get your tickets here.
