TÜRKIYE: THANKS TO RUGBY, I REDISCOVERED MY SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE.

1. When did the women’s rugby movement start in your country and what is its history? How is rugby structured in your country?

Women’s rugby began in Turkey at the start of 2013. Our first official national tournament was held in 2012. In 2013, our women’s national team participated in the first European Championship in the history of Turkish women’s rugby, called Rugby Europe Division B, held in Bratislava. In Turkey, there are 16 senior women’s rugby sevens teams and 19 under-18 women’s teams. Rugby XV was first played in 2025, and there are currently 8 teams. Rugby sevens tournaments are organized in 3 stages, while rugby XV is structured as a championship.

2. Do you think playing rugby has a social impact for a woman in your country?

The organization of many events and the time spent together by teams after these events allows women to expand their social circles. Thanks to the friendships I built through rugby, I created my “chosen family.” People from other cities who hosted me gave me the chance to visit and discover new places. When I created a team for girls under protection and started teaching them rugby, I gave them hope to hold on to life, work towards goals, and aspire to become national team athletes.

3. In your opinion, what can rugby give to women in your country?

Although still a young sport in our country, the opportunities it offers are truly significant. Girls living in small towns or villages who discover rugby have the chance to socialize and travel to new cities thanks to the sport. During their studies, athletes who represent our country internationally can access university without entrance exams and receive scholarships. Women who represent Turkey a certain number of times in international competitions gain the right to become public employees, teachers, and coaches in state institutions. A sport that begins as a social activity can thus turn into a real career.

1. When did you start playing rugby and how did you discover it?

I started playing rugby in 2011, when women’s rugby was still a novelty in Turkey. I played my first international match in 2013, wearing the Turkish national team jersey. I was immediately drawn to the adrenaline of rugby, the feeling of pushing my limits, and the team spirit that deeply captivated me. Its combative nature pulled me in. Throughout my career, I have played at all levels of European rugby with the national team. Even today, I carry the same passion and excitement in my heart. I first heard about rugby while practicing canoeing, thanks to my coach, who had just started playing the sport. He spoke about the energy and dynamism of rugby, which sparked my curiosity. Shortly after, a women’s rugby team was formed, and I became part of it. Soon after, my close friends and I founded our own team. From that day, the club became like a home to me. From the beginning, I had a strong feeling this sport would have a huge impact on my life.

2. What has rugby taught you that has impacted your daily life? Can you give me an example of when a rugby mindset was useful?

Rugby has made me more resilient not only physically but also mentally. It has helped me become a more self-confident, open-minded, and tolerant person. It also played an important role in shaping my career, inspiring me to become a physical education teacher and sports coach. The most important people in my life, I met thanks to rugby: my husband plays rugby (he’s also my teammate!), and my teammates are like sisters to me. Almost everything that defines who I am today has been shaped by rugby.

The stress management and decision-making skills I acquired through rugby have guided me in many areas of my life. Moving to a new country was a big challenge; when I relocated to Germany, the loneliness, uncertainty, and adaptation process were quite difficult. But thanks to rugby, I joined a new team, regained my sense of belonging, and rediscovered my purpose. The rugby mindset taught me not to resist change, but to embrace it with fluidity.

3. Can you give me three words that connect rugby with freedom

Courage – On the field, I can express myself without fear. No matter what happens in that moment, it gives me an intense sense of freedom. Breaking limits – Rugby constantly pushes my physical and mental boundaries. I discover something new in myself at every training and every match. Empowerment – It has strengthened not only my body but also my spirit. Rugby taught me to be not just a strong athlete but also a strong person.

4. What does living in a land of freedom mean to you?

The moment my cleats touch the field, I feel free. If freedom were a land, it would surely be the rugby field. Because there, I can truly be myself, move without fear, and forget all limits.

5. What object represents you and why? What is an aphorism that guides your life?

An object that represents me would be my old pink mouthguard. I felt happier and more cheerful when I wore it. My teammates used to smile when they saw me grinning with it. It had both a protective and uplifting effect. I want to be like that mouthguard in life: strong, yet also full of confidence and positive energy to spread to those around me. A quote from Epictetus marked a turning point in my life: “Do not worry about what you cannot control.” Since adopting this mindset, I live a much more peaceful and focused life. Instead of wasting energy on situations outside my control, I direct my efforts toward things I can actually change. This perspective has given me a profound sense of inner freedom, both in my sporting journey and in my personal life.