In Conversation with Kris Karsten from Round Rock Rage RFC
All smiles from the Round Rock Rage RFC teammates on the pitch
Welcome to Rally’s interview series, introducing you to powerhouse leaders in the LGBTQ+ sports community who are featured on our app. Follow along to learn more about the different sports groups they represent, and how to get connected to queer sports sessions in your area.
We sat down with Kris Karsten, current president and backs coach of Round Rock Rage Rugby, to hear more about his goals of providing queer people and allies a space to try recreational, low stakes rugby in Texas.
ROOKIES AND QUEERS ENCOURAGED
Round Rock Rage was co-founded by Karsten as the third Division II Womxn’s team in the U.S. to be associated with International Gay Rugby.
“We want rookies to come into rugby and whilst you might not be perfect, you might not be good, we want this to be a safe space where you could learn, get in shape, make new friends, meet other queer people, and, you know, fight hard. It's always a goal to win of course, but as long as we're getting better and having fun, I'm happy,” Karsten said.
“We've created a big mission statement since our founding in 2021, to give back to the local gay community, reach out to queer-owned businesses, and make an effort to create a space that is tailored to playing what we call old school, social and grassroots rugby,” Karsten said.
Round Rock Rage setting up a scrum against another team
Karsten affirmed that Round Rock is open to a diverse range of people - they are here for the queers but also allies to the LGBTQIA+ community as well.
“We also wanted to create a place for people of all gender orientations, all sexual orientations. Everybody is welcome,” Karsten explained.
AFFIRMING TRANS & QUEER INVOLVEMENT IN SPORT
Karsten explained more about the importance of being an out rugby club in Texas, where harmful anti-trans and anti-queer sports legislation is on the rise under the guise of “protecting women’s sports.”
This June, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas expanded the unjust banning of trans athletes at the collegiate level from participation in sports with the “Save Women’s Sports Act”, also known as Senate Bill 15. This legislation follows House Bill 25 which was passed in 2021, banning trans and non-binary students under eighteen years of age from participating on sports teams where their gender identity does not match their assigned gender at birth.
In resistance to this legislation, Karsten emphasized that it is crucial that non-academic-affiliated sports teams encourage trans and non-binary involvement explicitly.
Round Rock Rage co-founder Kris Karsten (center) alongside teammates
“A lot of people I've talked to over the years, especially trans women, see women's sports, women's soccer, women's rugby, women's football as intimidating [to join], because there's nothing really written in there that tells them if that team is open to accepting trans or non-binary people,” Karsten said.
With the current onslaught of right-wing policies excluding this community, it is highly important that teams ensure trans and non-binary people know that they can attend a sports session that is safe and welcoming.
“We're saying outright and we're saying to people, hey, come join us. We want you to be comfortable. We want trans women, we want everybody who's queer, we want allies. We want anybody who's non-binary, we want you to know that this is a space that also participates in that community.” Karsten added.
Round Rock Rage was founded as an out team, which is an act of resistance to these transphobic, hateful policies. Though Karsten clarified that women’s rugby has always been “really gay,” even if it wasn’t stated outright, it’s important to be explicit to further the recognition and celebration of queer involvement in sports.
“I think that having an explicitly gay team in Texas is in and of its own right. A way to say we're not going to fly under the radar,” Karsten explained. “We want to make it super clear that there are queer sports, queer women, queer rugby players, regardless of what our politics are.”
THE THIRD HALF
For those who aren’t familiar with rugby, after each match, you can find both teams connecting after the game, eating, drinking, and chatting.
“The old adage is, it's called the third half, you have the two halves of the game. And the third half, which is the social side of things, traditional rugby songs, and you shoot the boot,” Karsten said.
“One of our big claims to fame at Rage is that we spend a lot of time trying to engage with other teams and becoming friends. We have annual friendlies, and we're very close to some other teams in the union,” Karsten said. “What makes rugby different from other sports is that after the game you go hang out with the other team. That's part of the game.”
Rager vs a rugby opponent in action
Round Rock also organizes chill social events outside of practice to bond players and build queer friendships, from bowling to annual river floats and boat parties, which are open to everyone.
Outside of community events, Karsten shared that the team has a focus on mental health and looking out for one another. They are building out a role of player liaison, designated to ensure all players feel supported with their mental health.
“We want to have somebody who very intentionally is keeping track of all our players, if somebody has been gone for a couple of weeks they check in and ask, ‘Are you okay?’” Karsten explained. “We value mental health really highly.”
ROCK N’ RAGE
Round Rock Rage’s mission is creating a culture focused on player development, inclusivity for all genders, sexual orientations, body types and experience levels, respect and player welfare. Come to the pitch to join a practice and team up with this welcoming community of ruggers. As of this year, follow Round Rock Rage’s as they will be building a queer men's side, called the Round Rock Ruckus, to have a place for everyone to play.
The group practices each Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at 217 Commerce Blvd, Round Rock TX.
Download Rally now and follow Round Rock Rage to stay up-to-date with their training sessions and matches. Rally is a brand new social network for LGBTQ+ sports and fitness fans, bringing together sports teams and events from around the world, and helping you make new friends to play sports and get fit with. Download the app now from the App Store.