Iraq Women’s Rugby Team Head To Iran For Training Camp

In a historic move, the Iraqi women’s rugby 7s team has ventured to Mashhad, Iran for a training camp. The ten-day tour in March 2024 will be run under the guidance of Iranian coaches, with the Iraq 7s Women’s team also set to compete with local teams in Iran.

Photo Credit: Iraq Rugby Federation

In 2021, the Iran Rugby Federation and Iraq Rugby Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to grow the game. The Iraq women’s and men’s rugby teams are coached by Iranian Hamid Reza until 2025 said a social media post.

The Iran Women’s team secured bronze at the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in Qatar in 2023, while Iraq’s women’s rugby journey only began in 2021 when they made their debut at the West Asia Sevens Trophy.

Dr Fareeq Hazzaa, President of the Iraq Rugby Federation, said online: “ We deeply appreciate the support from Iran Rugby Federation. We are fully dedicated to the development of our Women’s program, as it is a crucial part of our strategic plan. With a dedicated women’s committee in place, we eagerly anticipate our women’s success both domestically and on the international stage “

Iraq Women’s 7s team is planning to compete in the Sevens Trophy in Nepal in October 2024 according to Asia Rugby, and the team will be coached by Hamid Reza, assisted by coach Hussein Sadiq on this camp in Iran and for the upcoming tournaments.

Iran Rugby Federation’s President Mir Mehdi Hosseini, added; “The establishment of two camps in Iran for women and men demonstrates our commitment to developing strong relations with Iraq, our friend. We are eager to share our experiences and have a long-term plan for the development of rugby in both countries and the region”.

In March 2024, the Saudi Ministry of Education confirmed the inclusion of rugby as an elective sport within its physical education and student activities curriculum dubbed the “School Rugby Initiative”, while the UAE launched a Women’s XV League in 2024.

Women’s Rugby Development

• UAE Launches Women’s XV League in 2024.
• WXV 2024 Details Confirmed – WXV 3 Heads Back To Dubai.
• Guide To The Asia Rugby 2024 International Tournaments.
• World Rugby 2024/25 Capgemini Women In Rugby Leadership Programme.