Tar Heels were everywhere at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, excelling on the track, the pitch and the springboard. But another Tar Heel made a name for herself in a sport not always associated with Chapel Hill: rugby.

Naya Tapper, an alumna of the UNC club rugby team, played on the USA women’s rugby sevens team that finished sixth in Tokyo. She was star-struck when she arrived at the Games.

“It was… kind of unreal at first. Like you get there and you’re like, ‘OK, I’m at the Olympics,’ but, ‘Holy crap I’m at the Olympics,’ she told 97.9 The Hill. “And you get into the village, and you’re surrounded by the top athletes in the world. And that’s when I kind of had the realization after five years that, ‘OK, I’m one of the top athletes in the world at my sport, that’s a crazy accomplishment.’”

But before she starred on the rugby field, Tapper was a high school All-American in track at West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. She said her interest in rugby started when she was very little.

“I just always looked up to my brother who played football and I always wanted to play football. I was a really aggressive and energetic child… so I think that was my first instance of wanting to play a contact sport.”

And while moving from track to rugby may not seem like an easy transition, Tapper made it work.

“When I got to college I just kind of wanted to focus on academics, and just party, have a good time, and enjoy the regular student life,” she said. “And over time I realized I still missed the sport aspect, so I thought why not join rugby? I’d seen a sign for tryouts and… It was kind of a stress reliever for me, especially at UNC where classes are hard as heck.”

It wasn’t until rugby made its return to the Olympics in 2016 after a 92-year absence that Tapper saw further opportunities in the sport.

“I think maybe in my junior year of college I realized, ‘Oh I could go to the Olympics if I play this sport at a professional level.’ Because at first I didn’t really want to, because again I joined it just for the recreational purposes,” said Tapper. “I never wanted to be a professional athlete. That was never in my plans when I wrote them up. So once they were like, ‘You could go to the Olympics,’ I was like, ‘Well, I could definitely use that on my resumé!’”

 

Image via WispSports.com

Since turning pro, Tapper has greatly expanded her public presence, including launching a brand of merchandise and a podcast. She explained why she maintains such high visibility.

“I think we have this stereotype of what a female rugby player is supposed to look like, and I feel like myself along with a lot of my other teammates break that… where you can be feminine, beautiful, and still very strong, muscular and physical,” Tapper said. “I think that’s been great… taking up that role and just trying to be a good example for little Black girls or just all rugby players in general of… ‘look how far she’s gotten, I could do that too.’ Just showing them the opportunities are there that they didn’t even know existed.”

And as a Black woman, Tapper said she strives to inspire those around her every day.

“The world is unpredictable and things aren’t always going to go in your favor and… just having that mindset has allowed me to be very adjustable when I’m in situations that are uncomfortable as a Black woman,” Tapper explained. “But also just being strong and confident in those moments, knowing that you’re giving other people the inspiration to do that when they’re in those same situations.” 

After returning from Tokyo, Tapper aims to continue setting an example for millions around the world. As for the next Summer Olympics in Paris? Tapper said she’s already ahead of the game.

“Yeah, we already got a head start with a year so, three more years,” she said with a smile. “And hopefully I’ll be on the field for that Olympics as well.”

The journey to Paris 2024 is underway.

 

Featured image via the Associated Press.

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