IRAN: RUGBY IS MORE THAN JUST A GAME; IT IS A JOURNEY OF PERSONAL GROWTH.

1. When did the women’s rugby movement start in your country and what is its history? How is rugby structured in your country?

2006. Iranian women’s rugby began when rugby was part of a federation with cricket, baseball and softball. In the early years, it had no formal structure and began with a few coaching sessions and the formation of a national team. The first Iranian national rugby team received most of their training in the camps themselves, and during those years, a coach from New Zealand (Helen Wagga) was in charge of coaching the Iranian women’s national team. In those years, the national team participated in many competitions in Asia, but unfortunately, Helen did not stay for many years and left Iran, and rugby in Iran became inactive due to political reasons. It has been active since approximately 2012 in the format of an association, which in Iran is lower than a federation and has a small budget, and the president has only changed once. I was responsible for developing Iranian rugby for 7 years starting in 2016, mostly in the women’s section. During those years, 16 teams participated in the national league and we had activated 21 out of 31 provinces and I achieved the title “the best women’s development award” of Asia rugby in 2018. In Iran, there is not much official rugby club meaning and any coach can have a team. I know it’s not true, but that’s the reality. And unfortunately, in the last 2-3 years, the number of provinces active in women’s rugby has only been 5-6 provinces.

2. Do you think playing rugby has a social impact for women in your country? In your view, what can rugby offer to women in your country?

I think if things were going well for rugby in Iran, rugby could have a big impact on girls’ self-confidence. We still hear the question, “Do girls play rugby too?” and the answer that rugby players here give is that there is no such thing as a male or female sport. In a society where elegance has been the top criterion for years, playing rugby can change minds and the biggest thing is that they no longer live by society’s taste and find their own way. Self-confidence, power of choice, fighting false cultures

1. When did you start playing rugby and how did you discover its existence?

I started playing rugby in 2008. Iranian women’s rugby has been active since around 2006. In 2008, while I was preparing for my university entrance exam with friends from Karaj, my hometown, two of them mentioned that they had started playing rugby – a new sport for us – and seemed interested. Curious, we joined their training sessions and were immediately captivated by the game. However, over the years, our group of 12–13 enthusiasts gradually diminished, but I remained the only committed participant in my team until today.

2. What has rugby taught you that has had an impact on your daily life? Can you give me an example of when a rugby mindset was useful to you?

Training has changed my thoughts and personality in many ways. The positive changes I see in my players drive me more than my own progress. Rugby is more than just a game; it is a journey of personal growth. It is a tough sport that requires dedication, years of hard work, and a solid understanding of its rules. Experience plays an important role in how you play, with every challenge teaching you something new. Learning how a player copes in the years after discovering rugby – facing challenges, learning from mistakes, and working closely with teammates – builds essential life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and flexibility. My goal is to show players the positive side of their physical challenges, encouraging them to embrace those moments. By giving them the freedom to find their own way, I hope they connect more deeply with the sport and its valuable lessons. Most importantly, I remind myself that I have learned patience and that many times I have had to wait to learn and achieve results. Sometimes, when life’s difficulties and hardships tell me it hurts to be tackled, I remember that by preparing for life, I can lessen the pain of the tackle and allow life to move forward with a pass.

3. Can you give me three words that connect rugby with freedom?

Release, strength, self-determination.

4. What does it mean for you to live in a land of freedom?

The meaning of freedom for me, having been born and raised in Iran for 37 years, has changed greatly in recent years. Living in a land of freedom means living without fear. Without the fear of failure, it is a place where we can live our true selves without fear of being judged.

5. Which object represents you and why? What is a saying or motto that guides your life?

I asked my players which objects represented me, and the answers I received were – multipurpose scissors, a French pocket knife (used in Iran by someone who helps others in many things). Three people said: a watch, because I work with precision and a plan. But from my point of view, an hourglass, because I have always tried to keep going and not get discouraged, rebuilding time in moments of stalemate. “Patience is power.”