Juma: Everything In My Life I Have a Say In It
Juma: Everything In My Life I Have a Say In It
Aaron Juma’s transfer from Wheeling to Mary Washington stirred up much more discussion, and indeed vitriol, than anyone might reasonably expect.
It was, and is, after all, just a college student making a college-student decision. But it somehow became more than that—NCR vs CRAA, college vs college, college vs MLR team—and because of that, the individual’s decisions somehow got overlooked. With commenters on social media saying Juma was unduly influenced by Marry Washington’s rugby program, or DC Old Glory (the MLR team that, remember, has already drafted him), Juma himself felt like his own decision-making agency was being forgotten. As a result, Juma reached out to Goff Rugby Report to talk about his own motivations. Here’s what he said:
1. It Wasn’t All Planned by UMW Rugby
Juma told GRR that he applied to several schools and didn’t tell anyone he was leaving Wheeling until he knew he was accepted at UMW. Gearoid Dunbar, Marry Washington’s Director of Rugby, wasn’t made aware of Juma’s transfer until Tuesday, January 7 and didn’t meet with him until a couple of days later, the same day tThe transfer was announced.
Unwilling to announce any move until he had a place to go, Juma said: “I couldn’t say anything until I was sure.”
2. This Wasn’t a Surprise, or at least Shouldn’t Have Been
“The people that really believe in me and care about me are not upset about the situation,” Juma told GRR. “Everybody at Wheeling knew that I was leaving this spring. So the fact that issues are arising right now is a bit weird to me. It doesn’t make sense to me that a lot of people are talking about it.”
3. Juma’s Move isn’t an Indictment of Anyone
“I’m very grateful for the people in my life,” Juma told GRR. “I am grateful for the opportunities that I have received and that have come to me thanks to the talent I have in rugby, which is is a gift from God. Credit to Wheeling for everything they’ve done for me. I am very, very happy I went there. You look at pros and cons, and there are no cons, just pros. If there is a con it is that I have left a family at Wheeling. But I am joining another family at UMW.”
4. No One Makes Aaron Juma’s Decisions Except for Aaron Juma
“Everything in my life I have a say in it,” said Juma. Normally a very easy-going, smiling person, Juma was clearly a bit upset about the implication that he’s just a pawn in a game. “I feel like I am my own person. My decisions go through my family and my family are my number-one priority. My decisions come through five different people, and all of them had the same answer as me—whatever is good for your future. And I know my future is here at Mary Washington.”
5. It’s About Education As Much as Rugby
Juma will be finishing up a business degree at UMW. He has three semesters to go to get his degree. Any financial aid or scholarships he has received from UMW are academic and not related to rugby, so if he doesn’t play rugby at Mary Washington, he’s still a student there.
And, as it happens, if he does play rugby at UMW (which he is expected to do), he falls under the same rules as anyone else—you’re grades aren’t up to snuff or you’re missing class, you sit.
6. DC Old Glory Didn’t Orchestrate This
Remember, Juma has already been drafted by Old Glory. He will, like other players drafted by teams, work within Major League Rugby’s CRAA-approved academy window. But it was Juma who wanted to be close to the team that drafted him.
“I want to be as close as possible to Old Glory,” Juma said. “I want to be in an environment where all I am doing is growing as a player.”
Old Glory still holds Juma’s rights for a few months yet. Juma may decide to stay with UMW rugby for another year, or he may decide to sign with Old Glory. Neither decision affects his status as a student at UMW. If he signs with Old Glory he can still get his degree—he just can’t play rugby at UMW. He could also not sign with Old Glory and re-enter the draft. Once he exhausts the draft.process he can become a free agent.
Bit of a transfer brouhaha this week and there's no reason for it. Anyone who sees this man talk knows no one tells Aaron Juma to do something he doesn't believe. More to come. pic.twitter.com/lLZcgCLw3k
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) January 11, 2025
7. Moving TO Something, Not AWAY From Something
The decision to transfer to Mary Washington was a three-fold decision, all about moving toward something Aaron Juma wanted.
In terms of rugby, he wants to play more 15s. This was brought up in GRR’s initial article about the transfer and perhaps sparked an inference that it was a dig at NCR. It’s not a dig, it’s a fact—playing 15s only in the fall is one of the raison d’etres of NCR. So if you prefer to play 15s in the spring also, rather than 7s, it would be best to go to an institution that does that. That’s not propaganda, that’s just reality.
As for Juma’s views on it: “I just love rugby, but I am not going to sugarcoat it, I love 15s more. I love rugby but if I have to make a decision, and I have already made my decision on that, it’s going to be 15s.”
Educationally, UMW was attractive, too.
“Their business degree is one of the top [programs]. So even if you take rugby out of the equation, it’s the right move for me.”
And as for a comfort level, Juma spent a week at UMW along with about 30 other players during MLR Rising.
He got to walk around campus, spend time with UMW players, and see the facilities such as the classrooms, cafeteria, and rugby field.
“I lived here for a week and after spending time here I was certain I would have a great time if I came here.”
Something that’s easy to forget when you follow college sports is that the players are people; they are college students. They are in college to get a degree and jump-start their future, and rugby is just a part of that. Players from overseas have invested additional time, energy, and often money in order to attend university in the USA. Many want to build a life here in the United States. All of that is true, and has nothing to do with playing rugby, or being a symbol for one rugby organization or another.
Aaron Juma is a quiet person, but that doesn’t mean he’s weak—look at a young man who upped sticks from Zimbabwe to go to Wheeling, West Virginia, and not only survived but thrived there, became the best player on his team and probably the best athlete at the school, as well as possibly the best rugby player in his division. In a world where many scoff at those who wear their faith on their sleeve, Juma proudly stands up and thanks God for his good fortune. And in a world where it’s too easy to think about yourself, player after player at MLR Rising said they wanted Aaron Juma as their teammate.