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This was round 2 of traveling to Lakefront 7s for our team, except this is the first time we went as a team event instead of my Bachelorette party 😅
I learned that’s a BIG difference. We all had an amazing time and did a great job at the tournament, but there were also some challenges and logistics that I was not expecting. I do know this - I have some incredible teammates who worked so hard and made Google forms and spreadsheets that were detailed beyond your wildest dreams.
I also had a few other takeaways from this tournament…
Tips and Tibits for Team Tournament Travels
Do ‘yo own thang
Sometimes, even if there are the absolute best intentions to include everybody, doing so can tangle things up quickly. There’s no need to EXCLUDE anybody, but if there is something you’d like to do then let it be known and go do it…even if nobody else wants to! I knew that I really wanted to go kayaking on the river in Milwaukee this weekend. I was equally as excited to do it if a bunch of people wanted to come or if I ended up doing it by myself. I also tried not to take responsibility for making other people’s reservations. If they wanted to come, they could make the reservation, and if it runs out then it runs out. Don’t feel bad if you end up doing things on your own - remember that you’re an adult, we’re on a trip to play rugby, but we’re also here to enjoy ourselves and that looks different for everyone!
2. …and also don’t
This is a hard one, and might be controversial, but this is just my opinion. Being part of a team also means having to make some sacrifices. You might not get to sleep where you want. You might not always get to eat what you want. You might not always even get to do what you want. There is a fine line and a delicate balance between considering your own needs and the team’s needs. I go into team housing with the reality that I could be sleeping on the floor, even if there’s enough beds, just so I can really be sure that there’s enough room for everyone. Sometimes I committed to plans that weren’t fully my jam just so I could enjoy the company of my teammates and do something they were interested in. It could be a good idea ahead of time to take a real hard look at what it is you really need and don’t need. I knew there were specific snacks and foods that I really prefer to eat on tournament days, so I literally packed them in my suitcase 🤣
3. THANK YOUR TEAMMATES
Those teammates I mentioned earlier, the Google form and sheets wizards? My goodness did they have some thankless jobs. It’s very very very hard to go grocery shopping for a team, while taking into consideration people’s food allergies, preferences, etc. There’s no way too make everyone happy. Golden rule? Assume good intentions. They’re taking on tough jobs to help the team, and while you may have done things or chosen things differently than they did, they still went to great lengths to do their best. I also genuinely appreciate the level of thoughtfulness my teammates had for our nourishment #BLUEBERRYPOPTARTS
4. Recovery Recovery Recovery
Don’t-skimp-on-recovery. Stretch. Eat. Hydrate. Light cardio. Especially when you’re far away, dealing with a new (and maybe not even ideal) sleeping space and possibly sensory overload, taking intentional time to take care of yourself is CRUCIAL. Here’s a more in depth list of ways to incorporate recovery if you’re looking for more information!
5. Download the app Splitwise
Makes splitting costs like Ubers and bar tabs SO much easier, and it doesn’t even have to be an even split. It’s customizable and also a good way to track team expenses. You can create groups of people and even settle up all the split costs at the end of the trip if you’d like to.
6. Don’t underestimate the power of a good nap
Put the FOMO aside and take the damn nap. It’s no mystery that at some points we can turn into gremlins and infants. Advocate for yourself and take the alone time, it goes a long way!!!!
7. Pack a “team” suitcase
We didn’t do this on this trip, but some of my teammates proposed this idea for next time and I love it. Pool the funds to check another bag (or see if a teammate has a free checked bag they haven’t taken advantage of) and fill it with things the team needs for tournament day. Here’s a list of some ideas for things to pack in the Team suitcase!
8. Conflict? No problem.
…but it can be.
I’m very much aware that I’m a hypocrite when writing about this one, because I have a bad tendency to avoid conflict like the plague. Ideally, it would be good to talk with a teammate alone to clear the air and move on when a disagreement or misunderstanding has happened. It’s okay to be upset and normal! The places where it can become a big problem are when it spills into other interactions and starts to fester. Sometimes a conflict can be resolved pretty quickly when it’s addressed head on, and it can also become way bigger than it needs to be when it’s not. Try not to get too many teammates (or any if you can help it) involved if they don’t have to be, and remember the golden rule: assume good intentions. Sometimes people accidentally hurt feelings without meaning to, and everyone’s going through things we don’t know about.
9. Unpopular opinion: skip the home cooked team dinner, order the takeout
The real beauty of a team dinner is just spending time together and eating together. Sometimes the shopping and cooking can cause so much added time and stress that I think it’s worth it to just pitch in for some pizzas. You can even order from a sandwich place to give people some more choice in what they eat, or some Mexican places have great options for taco bars. Save the home cooked meal for a night before a home game! Here’s a bunch of ideas for team dinners, ordered or cooked (if you insist). I think convenience is worth a higher cost. In the end, it's only a few dollars difference per person for a whole lot of difference in time and effort.
10. Enjoy every ‘lil moment, and play your freakin’ heart out.
It goes by fast, and it’s a privilege to be able to travel with your team to play the best sport in the world. Tournaments are a GRIND whether they’re close or far away. They have their own strange beauty and power. Don’t lose sight of why you’re really there - to create memories, build chemistry with your team, and kick some ass. Don’t let any of the nonsense get in your way. Rugby is rugby no matter where you are.
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