KUCHING: Sarawak women’s rugby continues to shine, proving the state’s growing role in producing national-level talents.
At the recent Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025, two Sarawakians — Josie Mavcellina Gone and Valerie Juan — proudly donned national colours as part of the Malaysia Bunga Raya 7s squad.
Their participation highlights Sarawak’s steady rise as a talent hub capable of elevating local players to compete at both national and international levels.
The Bunga Raya 7s team finished eighth in both the China 7s and Sri Lanka 7s, collecting 12 points overall.
The opening leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 kicked off in Hangzhou, China, on Sept 20-21, followed by the second leg in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from Oct 18-19.
The series featured strong competition from regional powerhouses including Japan, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Adding to Sarawak’s growing presence, the Bunga Raya 7s Cup International, held from Oct 18-19, saw three more Sarawakian players earn national call-ups.
They were Lia Misha (SMK Tatau, Bintulu), Claudia Jelumie Banting (SMK Merbau, Miri), and Nikita Sarna (SMK Merbau, Miri).
The tournament, which featured teams from Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore, provided valuable exposure and match experience for the young players.
These consistent international outings mark a positive step forward for Sarawak women’s rugby and reflect the state’s continued effort to develop players from the grassroots level.
