Iranian Womens Rugby

Next month the Rugby World Cup kicks off on 9 September in Auckland, New Zealand.
I know it's a little early but the countdown has already begun here in Southern Africa, as my country South Africa gets ready to defend their title as world champions. (Go Springboks!)
To get the excitement going I thought I'd feature lesser known rugby team: The Iranian womens' rugby team.
Isn't it excellent how Iran has their women involved in so many different types of sports?
Like their football team, the women play in full tracksuits and hijabs. Team coach, Fatme Molai says of their hijabs, "Wearing a veil does not change our method of play - clothes are something you wear and don't influence what you know how to do."
Last year they played in Europe for the first time in a seven-a-side tournament in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, pictured above (Iran's Farzaneh Navab Rad, right, is challenged by Italy's Federica Carlet).
They lost 10-0 to the host nation and then suffered a further 33-0 setback in a second game. But they came back to win local side Valsugana 10-3.
Although they did not win in Europe that year, they did win in Laos and Thailand previously.
Playing sports in Iran has its rules. And in a game like rugby where few women particpate, there are fewer well-trained female coaches to do the job. Their coach, Alireza Iraj, abides by Iranian Islamic rules and avoids making direct contact with the players. In training sessions, he instructs a player to demonstrate a move and keeps his distance. Tricky! But they manage to do it.
They are not as strong as their footie counterparts, but over time I'm sure they'll only improve. If the Iranian sports record is anything to go by, then their perseverance will bring results.
Photo source (AP) and to read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1299440/Iranian-womens-rugby-team-field-wearing-modesty-preserving-headscarves-tracksuits.html#ixzz1UpYIWtD8