Line up 100 women in a row and Sally Chen is probably the last one you would pick to be a rugby player.

The game renowned for its hard, physical play, often at break-neck speed, seems ill-suited to the petite lass from Changzhou, Jiangsu province, who is 21 but could pass for 12.

However, a zealous English teacher from New Zealand introduced her and her fellow students to the game, and she is hooked.

Rugby has even opened up some doors for her, which she may never have seen, let alone passed through.

Chen and several schoolmates were at the Shanghai American School on Friday helping out with the organizing of about 120 students at a special rugby clinic, which was put on in conjunction with the HSBC Shanghai Sevens event.

"We have a rugby team and four of us came here for two months of training with a new coach to develop our game," Chen said.

"There are only three of us (from our school) here now because one of my teammates did so well, she is now in New Zealand to watch the World Cup and also train with teams there."

The game not only got Chen and her three schoolmates to Shanghai, but also opened the way for them to find employment with the foundation Sport for All, which basically recruited them from the field.

The English major has only been playing rugby for two years, but is already teaching Shanghai youngsters about the game.

"Of course, I like (the game) very much and want to pass on my knowledge. It also helps getting paid each month because we are students and have no money. It helps us to survive in Shanghai," said Chen, who was heading to her home province at the weekend to resume studies.

Tym Glaser

(China Daily 08/28/2011 page7)