Hedwig Aerts

Nickname: "Heddi"
Height/Weight: 5'8" 160 lbs.
Age: 31
Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa
Current Team: New York Rugby Club
Position: Flyhalf
Past Teams: Yale Rugby Club
Rugby honors earned:
      NRU 1998-2004 (Captain '02,'03)
      US U-23 Nat'l Team 98-00 (Captain '99, '00)
      US National Team 00-07
International Caps: 16
College: Yale University
Years playing rugby: 11
Occupation: Teacher
Favorite Pre-Game Music: "Pink"

Get to Know "Heddi"

How did you get involved in rugby?
"I always considered myself a competitive athlete but I never specialized in my Belgian high school. I was looking for a competitive outlet in college and the only club sports available where Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee. I went to one rugby practice and it obliterated the need to try Ultimate Frisbee."

Other interests:
"I love to read, talk with friends, swim in ocean, and travel."

If I had a million dollars I would ...
"Invest it in a house and pretty much keep living the way I'm living.

Favorite rugby memory:
"Having my entire New York team cheer like madpeople when I made my Eagle debut."

Rugby mentors/inspirations:
"Watching Jos Bergman direct a backline leading up to and in the World Cup of 1998. My teammate Keenya Warner can tackle with panache and timing that packs a lot in her small frame. She inspires me to play big. My New York coach Mike Luke taught me over the last 4 years to study the flow of the game and to be deliberate in directing it. "

Favorite Motto/Saying:
"Ichi-i, ichi-go" a Japanese saying that translates to something like "One life, one chance"