HINDI man kasikat sa masang Pinoy ang sports na Rugby, kabilang ang sports – Volcanoes at Lady Volcanoes – sa nagdadala ng tagumpay sa bansa mula sa international competition.
Sa kauna-unahang, pagkakataon isang babae – sa katauhan ng Pinay na si Ada Milby – ang kauna-unahang nailuklok sa Board ng World Rugby Council, ang international governing body sa sport na Rugby at isa sa pamosong organisasyon na kumikilala sa gender equality.
Nitong 2013, pinamunuan niya ang development for grassroots ng sports kung saan binuo niya ang ‘Get Into Rugby’ program at matapos ang isang taon ay napabilang sa Philippine Rugby Board of Directors.
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“I’m so honored and humbled to be the first woman council member appointed for World Rugby Council following the strong support for Gender Inclusion at the highest level,” pahayag ni Milby.
“Not only does it create the space for more women leadership to be accepted at all levels of the game for rugby but it is a strong statement and call to action for other sporting codes to show that when you are fully committed to Gender Inclusion, the solutions may manifest in ways not previously considered. I applaud World Rugby and its commitment to continue building a game that is truly a ‘Sport For All,’” aniya.
Patuloy ang pagtaas ng kalidad ng Rugby sa Asia at patunay ang pagiging host ng Japan sa Rugby World Cup sa 2019 at 2020 Olympic Games. Naibalik ang Rugby 7s sa 2016 Rio Games kung saan tinanghal na kampeona ng Fiji.
“Rugby continues to grow on a global scale, it’s great to see the code promoted even more now in the Asia Region. To now have Ada on the World Rugby Council for gender equality and represent the Philippines shows how far the game has come. Ada has made tremendous strides for Philippine Rugby, as a player, board member and most of all promoting women’s Rugby in the Philippines,” pahayag ni Jake Letts, acting director for Philippine Rugby.
