Advancing women’s rugby is a key consideration for the Taiwan International Rugby 10s next Saturday and Sunday, organizers said yesterday in the buildup for the tournament’s return to Taipei after four years.
With six women’s teams, the tournament would be the biggest for women in Taiwan, tournament organizer Patrick McKeering told the Taipei Times at a news conference in Taipei.
“There are five women’s teams traveling from overseas to compete against a Taiwan-based side,” McKeering said.
Photo courtesy of Taiwan International Rugby 10s
The Wolves from Singapore, Bomber and Kowloon from Hong Kong, the Bangkok Belles and the North, who are mostly based in China, have women’s sides that are to play the Taipei Baboons at the Bailing fields in Shilin District.
In the men’s division, the Manila Nomads, the Samurais from Japan, Bomber and the Bucks are the international sides who are to play against Taiwan-based teams Keelung, Fivewoods, the Giants, the Jack Rabbits, Chien Kuo OBs and the Baboons.
There is also an over-35 division with four teams: Omura Takeshi, the Blackbacks, the Silverbacks and the Pacific Ocean Babas.
Christabelle Lim is the lead referee for the tournament. Lim is a former Singapore international who played at the Asian Games and won a silver medal at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.
As a referee, Lim has officiated at the Asian Games Sevens and the Dubai Sevens Invitational.
The tournament was last staged in 2019 and organizer Peter Chworowsky said that the intention is for the event to be held annually.
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