Scoring high in all fields

Ruchi Shetty scores heavily, be it on the field or in academics. The 18-year-old Airoli girl who scored 90 per cent in her HSC exams will lead  the Indian team in Asia U-20 Girls Rugby Sevens championship in Hong Kong, starting from Friday. This will be her fourth stint at an international event. The competition will be tough against the likes of China, Thailand, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and hosts Hong Kong. Ruchi, who is the most experienced player in the squad, will be under pressure to give her best. But the youngster manages herself well in all the aspects of life and knows how to balance things both on and off the field. “Being the senior member there will be a kind of pressure to lead the team to victory and do well. I have a nice team, they are all skilled and there is good communication between us. They make my job easier,” says Ruchi who will also have her friend Gargee Walekar in the 12-member squad. “We were training together from July 20 (at Bombay Gymkhana) and are confident of doing well.
We will have tough competition as teams from China, Hong Kong, and Singapore have tall players but we have better skill and speed,” she says.

Ruchi has already represented the senior Indian team in Asian Women Sevens Championship 2016 held in Sri Lanka and was also a part of India squad that won a bronze medal at the inaugural Asian U-18 Girls 7s at Dubai Sports City last year. She also took part in the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy, which was held in Laos in February. “Sri Lanka was my first international tournament and I was under-confident. But it proved a big exposure for me and my confidence started building up,” she shares.

A second-year student of Matunga’s R.A. Podar College Of Commerce & Economics, Ruchi has mixed dreams, that of becoming a professional rugby player or a coach and also a successful chartered accountant. “I want to be a professional and a coach as well. Along with this, I’m also preparing for my CA. While it is very difficult to manage, I study hard during off-seasons and manage to score fairly good in academics. My college is supportive. I also represent my college in handball and softball,” says the multi-talented girl.

Ruchi trains with her ex-school mates Gargee, Kshitija Manglurkar, Krutuja Manglurkar and Shraddha Lawand thrice a week. The city girls were a part of the same squad in Dubai and passed from St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mulund. “We practice together in the same school (St Mary’s) as ex-students. Sometimes at the public ground in Nahur and Mulund. We have been together in school and train together in Mulund and other camps, the bond with them is different. Usually, on Friday evenings all the senior boys and girls play Touch Rugby together. My seniors and team members motivate me. I like to play with my set of people,” she smiles.

Ruchi developed a fancy for running way before she was introduced to Rugby when she was in class eight.  “We had no sports in school. I used to love running and participate in athletic events conducted by District Sports Office. Rohit D’Souza sir convinced our principal to introduce three games — Touch Rugby, Basketball, and Handball. I was attracted to Touch Rugby. I love to tackle. Initially, my parents were sceptical but after I started playing for Mumbai Strikers Club and we started winning tournaments they got supportive and realised it is not as dangerous as it seems,” she said.

She doesn’t fear the injuries that the sport brings along with it. “During one of the national games, both my ankles were badly hurt. Still, I attended the camp to gain valuable experience. I was weak at that time and my parents were unimpressed. Now I have worked hard on myself and injuries are fewer,” she said.

Ruchi now aims to play Rugby 15s in its true format. “I have never got the chance to play Rugby 15s. It looks nice but I love sevens as well,” she says. Rugby has come along long way in the city. “We play in local carnivals in Mumbai for our club Mumbai Strikers and many people come to watch. First Rugby was played only in Bombay Gymkhana but now we have Mumbai Magicians Rugby Club and in suburbs, we have Ace Foundation and Mumbai Strikers. There is also a Rugby club in Thane,” she signs off.