Exploring Rugby Culture at UWIC: Roles, Masculinities and Performing Bodies

Abstract

The research aims to investigate three sociological areas within the subculture of university rugby. The three areas consist of masculinities, roles and performing bodies within one particular university rugby tea, UWIC RFC. The research isn’t aiming to solve a particular problem, instead hoping to gain a better understanding of the social dynamics involved within the subculture. This is going to be achieved through interviews with current and ex members of UWIC RFC and also an ethnographic component will be provided through the researcher spending one year incorporated within the subculture. The results uncovered a hegemonic form of masculinity along with reinforcing methods related specifically to the subculture. Specific role delegation is uncovered along with routes towards climbing the hierarchical structure that became more prominent as the research progressed. The area concerning performing bodies in the research identified two components, attitude towards injury and evidence of docile bodies within the subculture. The research is a rich depiction of the competitive and interesting social dynamics within university rugby.