The following article about the Indian U17 girls rugby team has been kindly submitted by Rugby India.
Mike Friday, Head Coach of the USA men’s rugby 7s team was seen shouting instructions and keenly monitoring the 20-Indian probables training during the final preparatory camp regime, at the Bombay Gymkhana. Mike was in India to consult and train the Indian U17 girls rugby team.
The Indian U-17 Girls rugby team will compete at the Asian Qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games Rugby Sevens Championship to be held at Dubai Sports City on November 29 and 20, 2017.
Mike Friday has been the head coach of the United States national rugby sevens team since summer 2014. Mike is recognized as one of the world’s leading International 7’s coaches having coached the most successful teams ever for England, Kenya and USA. The Girls are currently undergoing their final round of training and gaining insightful quick tips for sharpening their skills under the supervision of the maestro.
Coach Friday was satisfied with the Indian girls who have been training with him for the past couple of days. “The girls are all enthusiastic training and with lots of energy. They are taking a lot of pride to represent the country and are looking forward to the challenge ahead,” he told on the sidelines of the training session.
“The Indian girls are not biggest, they are small built, but they have a big heart and are courageous. They also have the self confidence and self belief and they will perform to their potential,” the USA coach mentioned.
The Indian team is supported by Societe Generale, the financial partner of Rugby India and is participating under the aegis of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the governing body for the sport of Rugby in India.
This tournament will serve as the Qualifiers for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Argentina in October 2018. A total of 12 countries from across Asia including Japan, Laos, Kazakhstan, Iran, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Philippines, China, Thailand, Malaysia, India and hosts U.A.E will vie for top honors at the championships. India is clubbed with favourites Japan and Laos in Pool-A. The top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals and the ultimate champions will make the trip to Argentina.
Indian U17 girls rugby team’s list
State- West Bengal
1. Sandhya Rai 2. Asha Araon 3. Rushmita Oraon 4. Urshila Khariya
State – Odisha
5. Sumitra Nayak 6. Jemamani Naik 7. Soni Mandangi 8. Lija Sardar 9. Prabati Kisku
State- Bihar
10. Sweety Kumar
State – Delhi
11. Priya 12. Sultana
Coach– Nasser Hussain
Manager – Rehmuddin Shaikh
Physio – Shabrez Mukaddam
Photo: Mike Friday, Head Coach the USA Rugby 7s Team, and who is the consultant and trainer of the Indian U-17 Girls Rugby team, explains a point to the girls at the National camp at the Bombay Gymkhana
The Matches will be shown Live on Asia Rugby Facebook page
Dubai
