Rugby Without Borders: Oxford Blue to Laos Red, a Continuing Story

[Written by Rebecca Syed Sheriff]

I first saw a Laos women’s rugby team on a steaming hot day in Bangkok in February 2018. The most noticeable thing about them was that they played way beyond their size, had incredible team spirit, looked like they were having a much better time than all the drunken expats put together, and won the tournament. I had just started playing rugby again after almost two decades away - that weekend our team won the plate, I coached the Bangkok Lions to victory in the under 8s, and won the first ever women’s international touch event- quite a comeback weekend!  

I exchanged details with Megan (player, coach and Laos co-director of ChildFund Pass It Back) and whilst I lived in next door Thailand played for and against various Laos women’s teams (the ‘Pass it back’ coaches, the ‘Laobarians’, and even the National team in the SEA championships, having never previously visited Laos which may have been a first, I even played 15s against them, extraordinarily at fly half when in Hong Kong for the 7s).  What’s always the same is their incredible team spirit, their diversity, their kindness and their values which transcend language, and as it turns out, age.

Bex (back, third from the right) alongside her teammates of the Lao National Team

The Laos National team, in contrast to many teams across the world, including Asia, is developed through the provinces, so incorporates women of all backgrounds, not only the elite. The philosophy behind ‘Pass It Back’ is in harnessing the power of sport to empower young people to make positive change, learn life skills, develop confidence and overcome other challenging experiences. These women are dynamite, they love rugby having used it to overcome difficulties, use the power of connection to play the game beautifully and many have taken up leadership roles within rugby (often pushing against cultural norms). I love them and what they stand for so much, that when not enough of them could cross the border to Thailand due to visa issues, I played two full days of 7s for them at the South East Asian 7s in Bangkok (with no subs) in 35 Degree heat and over 95% humidity, with a recovering dislocated AC joint (my eyes genuinely watered when we took to the pitch and I realised I was being told to play prop). As my body slowly started to breakdown throughout the day, my teammates brought me diet coke and sticky rice and kept an eye on me (sharing concerned looks about the old lady’s odds of survival).

Bex playing with the Laos National team (DAC Nagas) at the SEA 7s in 2019 (Bex hand-off the opposition)

In the years since, as a mum of three, a consultant psychiatrist, associate Professor of youth mental health, and football coach, I can see even more clearly what genius the pass it back team possess.  They understand and harness the value of sport and the transformational change it can bring to the lives of young people that can last a lifetime. The idea of giving young adults living in the same communities the responsibility and leadership skills to deliver the programs has a huge impact on them and the success if the scheme and is already having such an incredible impact for rugby in Laos.

Pass It Back coaches team at the Bangkok 7s in 2019 (Bex is front row, fourth from the left

Twenty years earlier, my first and formative experience of sport was at OU(W)RFC, where I played four years of Rugby with a brilliant, talented and eccentric cohort, many of whom have become friends for life. Back in the day being part of the club genuinely helped me to survive medical school, and it was in the daily training, and general ridiculousness of everyday life rather than in our winning varsity streak, BUSA victory and record try counts, that I learned about the benefits of sport, through connection, teamwork and shared experiences, at home and our prolific overseas touring.

On returning to the UK post 2020 I was invited to the Oxford 7s with OURFC. When I said that I hadn’t worn dark blue since 2000, my teammates responded that was before they were born. It was then that I first met Chloe-Marie and happily sacrificed myself as cannon fodder and ball recycler while she and the others elegantly ran in tons of tries - true rugby karma. It was obvious what a great player and leader she was and after a period overseas I could not be happier that she has returned to the Blues and become captain, particularly as it coincides with my time on the OURFC committee as head of playing coaching and development. It is an absolute delight to support her and her committee in their roles. On discovering our joint inspiration to carry the love for the game well beyond traditional cultural borders I was able to put Chloe-Marie in touch with Pass It Back and our rugby sisters in Laos.

OURFC Women's at the Oxford 7s in 2023 with head coach Ricky Khan (back right), current coach Paul Evans (back, second left), Bex (front row, middle), current Blues Captain Chloe-Marie Hawley (front row, second to the right) and Blues fullback Lucy Hamer (back row, fourth from the right)

So, finally, all my rugby planets align with OURFC and Laos ChildFund Pass It Back linking up for a tour as the start of a long-term relationship. This makes, what I believe will be a partnership even greater than the sum of its parts, for mutual learning and long-term benefit. I can’t wait to these amazing women together, what they can do collectively, the gains it can bring to both partners and the individual and team growth it inspires. Enjoy this Blues and seize the day!