Thai female athletes have earned much public recognition and many accolades in past decades — from tae kwon do star Yaowapa Burapolchai, to badminton champion Ratchanok Intanon, to volleyball heroes Nuengruethai Sathongwien and Pluemjit Tinkao.
Admittedly, though, it is difficult to imagine petite Thai ladies scrummaging and chasing after the oval-shaped ball in the combative, extremely physical sport that is rugby.
But that was the sight at the training ground at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok recently. A dozen female players charged, tackled and ran as sweat and shouts filled the air. Despite the sport’s masculine image, the Thai women’s rugby team has proven themselves physically robust and talented enough to wipe out existing female stereotypes and compete on the international level. The team will soon face one of its toughest challenges yet at the 17th Asian Games, which will be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4 in Incheon, South Korea.
Since 2009, the women’s rugby squad has been under the supervision of head coach and secretary-general of the National Rugby Union Supharat Allapach, who since taking the job has attempted to mould the team into one of the best in Asia. His efforts have paid off. Today, according to the coach, the Thai national women’s rugby team is ranked fifth on the continent, after Japan, China, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong. In 2010, it earned third place at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, after being defeated by Kazakhstan and the host team.
But before coming this far, there was a search for female players — no easy task, especially in a country like Thailand, which is known for women with super-slim body shapes.
The Thai women’s rugby squad during their recent training session at the Vajiravudh College.
“Players on the national women’s rugby team were recruited from rugby competitions on a national scale. So they are from around the country,” Supharat said. “Some of them are university students, while some have already graduated. But they all have the potential to represent Thailand.”
Because Thais often have petite body types, agility instead of physical force is consequently key in the sport.
“Most players were only 16-17 years old when they were recruited,” Supharat said. “So parental consent is very important because athletes playing this kind of sport are prone to injuries, especially in the shoulders and knees. After we get permission from parents, we then see if their movement is fast enough and, more importantly, if they have the guts on the pitch.”
The team plays rugby sevens, a variant of rugby union, which is also known as seven-a-side. Each team is made up of seven players instead of 15. A match consists of two seven-minute halves, with a one-minute half-time break — not much time to catch your breath. Rugby union, on the other hand, comprises two 40-minute halves and a 10-minute half-time. The shorter playing time for sevens means the game develops faster and scoring is more frequent.
The scoring system involves five points for a try — which is similar to an American football touchdown — and two points for a subsequent conversion kick.
Thai players' small size might be considered a major disadvantage, but according to Supharat, this doesn't hold much water. Although the average height of a Thai female rugby player is about 155-160cm — relatively small, especially when compared to opponents from China and Kazakhstan — they are all fast and are skilful when it comes to balance, direction and ball handling.
Head coach and secretary-general of the National Rugby Union Supharat Allapach.
"Thai players do not have body size as an advantage. Rather, we have speed. We are genetically smaller than Europeans, but we are fast and flexible. And in terms of physical toughness, team members are encouraged to regularly weight train so they build more muscle and become more physically durable," Supharat said, adding that handling a team of females is definitely more complicated than one composed of men, due to certain restrictions — monthly periods being one of them. If a player's menstruation cycle falls on training days, they can watch the team practise from the sidelines. But if it occurs during competition, they have to take contraceptives to delay the period.
Audacity is the team's important weapon, said Phantippha Wongwangchan, 33, the captain.
"Boldness and confidence are the most important things in the sport — it can determine whether we will win or lose. With them, size doesn't really matter."
One major obstacle the team has faced so far is the lack of stages on which to test its potential. There are several female rugby squads in the country, but when it comes to finding the right match, especially for training and practising, most of the time the team has to rely on men's rugby squads from around the country.
"In order to improve the standard of the women's rugby team and to attract public attention, we need somewhere we can gain out-of-the-classroom experience. Training is one thing, but actual competition teaches us how to apply that training to the real game," Phantippha said.
After the 28th Southeast Asian Games, which will be held in Singapore next year, Supharat plans to re-adjust the team members by discharging some of the old players and recruiting fresh ones. In the meantime, Phantippha hopes the team will win the support of Thai people for the upcoming Asian Games and that women's rugby gains more recognition from sport enthusiasts.
"I want Thai people to be more open to rugby," said Phantippha. "This sport is indeed tough, but not offensive. At the same time, it is also very thrilling. Rugby also reveals a person's true personality, which can in a way signify one's success in life."
But is the team ready for the 2014 Asian Games?
"We are more than ready," said Supharat. "Bring the games on!"
