After an uncertain two years of the global pandemic, it was a breather for all sports enthusiasts recently when norms were relaxed and sports activities began. It could not have got any better for Mumbai Strikers SC, as three players from the Women’s Rugby Squad were listed in the India U18 camp. Of the final 54 girls, Adhira Albert, Niyati Mehta, and Lavanya Adusumalli have been selected for the U18 camp from the Mumbai Strikers SC Women’s Rugby team.
The U18 camp will be held at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha from 14th August 2021 to 16th September 2021 under the guidance of Former South African Legendary Player Hendrik Egnatius ‘Naas’ Botha & Ludwiche Hermanus Van Deventer. Hendrik Egnatius ‘Naas’ Botha was voted the world rugby player of the year in 1979, 1981, 1985 & 1987. If the girls make it to the squad, they will go on to represent India at the Asia Rugby U18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championship which will be hosted at Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the 18th and 19th September 2021.
Adhira, Niyati, and Lavanya are alumni of St Mary’s Convent High School, Mulund who were introduced to Rugby in Grade 5th and trained by Mumbai Strikers. Adhira is an avid reader and loves rugby. She is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Sports Management from IISM. Niyati Mehta is currently in the 12th Grade. An ambitious girl, Niyati chose rugby as it is an internationally recognized sport and strongly believes she can make it big in the sport in the future. Lavanya has just cleared her 10th Grade. Lavanya is extremely passionate about rugby and wants to achieve top honours in the sport.
However, it is not always about the player when it comes to sport. The girls have been trained and mentored by Coach Shikha Thakkar. Shikha has been a coach & core member of the Mumbai Strikers SC Senior Women’s Rugby Team and has played at the National Level. She is currently the trainer and mentor to the girls with a view to grooming the next generation of rugby players. Shikha has been passionate and a dedicated coach and has played a vital role in grooming Adhira, Niyati, and Lavanya as rugby players.
Mumbai Strikers SC also thanks the Rugby Union of Mumbai Suburbs (RUMS) and Rugby Association of Maharashtra (RAM) for their unending support to the club.