SHAH ALAM, May 12 — There was once a time when the rugby field was often regarded as an exclusive domain for men. The sport was seen as tough, physical, and full of hard collisions, leading many to believe that women were not suited to being on the pitch.
However, that perception is gradually changing as more women now boldly don jerseys, attend training sessions, and prove their abilities in the sport.
This is evident in the growing participation of women in the Malaysia Games (SUKMA), which now includes more than 10 teams from across the country.
In Selangor, the growth of women’s rugby has also been driven by the increase in clubs and development programmes that provide more opportunities for women to try the sport without fear or embarrassment.
For state rugby players Rozliana Mohd Ridwan and Nurin Hannan Abd Hadi, the change carries a greater meaning than merely an increase in the number of players.
It is about women having the courage to challenge stereotypes and change society’s perception of women’s capabilities in physically demanding sports.
“Do not be afraid to give it a try, even if people around you may doubt you at first. What matters is having the courage to step onto the field and learn the fundamentals properly,” Nurin told Media Selangor.
They explained that rugby does not rely solely on physical strength but also demands high levels of discipline in technique, strategy, and safety.
Two weeks changed the course of her life
For Rozliana, her involvement in rugby began accidentally when a friend invited her to a training session at 27.
Little did she know that the spontaneous decision to try something new would eventually change the course of her life.
Within just two to three weeks of starting training, Rozliana attracted the attention of coaches and was called up to join the national squad selection session in preparation for the 2017 SEA Games.
“I truly did not expect it. At first, I simply attended training and learnt the basics. After one tournament, there was a selection session and my name was called,” she said.
Rozliana added that the 'transfer sport' concept also helped the development of new players, as the former netball player already possessed a strong foundation in stamina, speed, and coordination.
Body size not a barrier
Meanwhile, Nurin has proven that body size is not a barrier to excelling in rugby.
Playing in the scrum-half position, she uses her speed and agility to control the tempo of the game while also serving as the link between the forwards and the team’s backline.
The position requires players to move quickly at all times, make smart decisions, and read spaces on the field efficiently.
Nurin noted that smaller-built players actually have their own advantages because they can evade tackles and create space more easily, especially in the fast-paced seven-a-side format.
“Every position has its own role. What matters is that we understand our responsibilities and make full use of our strengths,” she said.
Today, Rozliana and Nurin's experiences are not merely about rugby but have become symbols of women’s courage in challenging norms and proving they can also excel at physically demanding sports.
In fact, the Selangor women’s rugby squad is expected to remain among the main contenders as they prepare to field the majority of players from the previous edition in defence of their gold medal at SUKMA 2026 in August.
During the 21st Games in Sarawak, the state emerged as the champions after defeating the hosts 12-7 in the final at the Miri Stadium.
SUKMA 2026 is scheduled to take place from August 15 to August 24, featuring 474 events across 37 sports in nine districts and 52 competition venues.
