KUCHING: Sarawak’s women’s rugby team suffered a 39-5 defeat to a dominant ATM side in the MSNS-KRS League semi-finals at Padang Astaka on Saturday (June 14), but earned praise for their resilience and a milestone debut season.
Despite the defeat, head coach, Shahradhi Libiki, praised his players for their resilience and growth throughout the season, marking a proud milestone for Sarawak as it fields its first-ever women’s 15s rugby squad.
“Of course, it’s quite disappointing to lose in the semi-final. We came in with a game plan and confidence.
“The players gave their all. Sometimes, the game just doesn’t go your way,” said Shahradhi.
He made these remarks to Sarawak Tribune when contacted recently.
“Credit to the team , they’ve worked hard, came a long way, and showed real heart,” he said.
He described the season as a crucial first step in a longer journey for the team.
“This is a big first step for us. It’s Sarawak’s first-ever women’s 15s squad and the journey is just beginning.
“Hopefully in the future, we’ll have proper training camps to bring all our pool players from the divisions together earlier, so we can build stronger team chemistry,” he added.
Shahradhi also expressed hope that the team’s efforts and visibility would spark interest among young women across the state.
“I hope this journey will inspire more youth and young women to participate in this amazing sport,” he expressed.
