Twelve years ago, Amanda Vestal nearly declined what ended up becoming a life-changing experience. A local women’s rugby coach at the time, Vestal was tiring a bit on the role and about to call it quits when the Charlotte Royals Rugby Football Club – a Charlotte-based squad for gay, bisexual and straight allies – reached out in hopes she’d reconsider diving back in.
“I didn’t want to do it anymore and had gotten tired of it, but then the Charlotte Royals called and said they were missing a coach and if I’d be interested in doing it,” recalled Vestal.