International Women’s Day: RugbyAsia247 salute the ladies of Asian rugby

March 8th is International Women’s Day and here at RugbyAsia247 we would like to take a moment to encourage and thank all the women involved in promoting, playing, coaching, involved behind the scenes and generally helping make rugby a better and more inclusive sport.

Here is a wrap of some of the best women’s rugby tournaments in Asia, the best social women’s rugby teams and we hear the voices of a few wonderful women who play rugby.

Asian women in rugby

Nahid Biyarjomandi – Iran

Asia Rugby has this week been sharing videos from ladies in different parts of Asia who are involved in rugby. Nahid Biyarjomandi, Head of Women’s Development in Iran, told Asia Rugby

“Iranian girls are talented, and the sport, especially rugby with its values can empower their minds to follow their dreams on and off the field,” explained Biyarjomandi.”

Lorie Baclagon – Philippines

The Philippines Rugby Facebook page has also been spreading the positive message from their ladies in rugby. Lorie is the Head of PRFU Administration and she said via a video posted.

“Women in the Philippines and everywhere else are strong physically and emotionally, so this (rugby) is the perfect game for them”.

You can also hear from Sylvia Tudoc, aka “horsey”, who is one of the first female rugby players to get a university scholarship through the rugby in the Philippines.

https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineRugby/videos/2086228891496335/?t=10

Sanjeewani Wijethilaka – Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan women’s rugby captain Sanjeewani,  also spoke to Asia Rugby this week. She told the website

 “I want to be a sport ambassador, an inspiration, for rugby and for my country. I have always loved rugby and although we have limited facilities compared to the men, we are developing.”

The best social women’s and girls rugby tournaments in Asia

There are thankfully a growing number of women’s and girls rugby tournaments taking place around Asia. This by no means discounts the large number of wonderful social and professional tournaments that also include ladies rugby in their tournaments, it’s becoming less common to find tournaments that don’t cater for men and women.

Ladies Cebu 10s rugby

This ladies rugby tournament is hosted by the Cebu City Rugby Club who are proud to host the country’s only international, all ladies rugby tournament which has run for 5 years. The Cebu Lady Dragons Club is the home ladies team.

• Date: July of each year
• Venue: Cebu International School grounds, Philippines

Southerners Women’s Rugby Invitational Tens Tournament

The Bangkok Southerners Rugby Club host the social rugby tournament in November in Bangkok in October of each year.

• Date: October of each year
• Venue: Patana International School, Bangkok, Thailand

All Girls Rugby 7s

All Girls International Rugby 7s

This Hong Kong-based tournament takes place in March and sees girls teams from around the region and the world compete from under 6 to under 19 age groups.  More than 75 teams competed in the All Girls International 7s 2018.

• Date: 29th-30th March 2019
• Venue: Kings Park, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Social women’s rugby teams in Asia

There are a growing number of social ladies rugby teams in Asia. Here is a short selection of teams that you can reach out to if you want to play or support women’s rugby!

Manilla Nomads ladies

Saigon Geckos Ladies – HCMC, Vietnam
Bangkok Belles – Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok Southerners – Bangkok, Thailand
Vientiane Buffaletes – Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane Lions – Vientiane, Laos
Sparkling Rahus – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Bedok Skylas – Singapore
Manila Nomads – Manila, Philippines
Cebu Ladies Rugby Club – Cebu, Philippines

Have we forgotten or missed out on any women’s rugby teams and tournaments in Asia? Get hold of us and let us know.