Islamabad, October 1, 2025 – Rugby in Pakistan is entering a new era as the Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) proudly announces the 1st North Women’s 7’s Rugby Tournament 2025, a groundbreaking event set to take place on Saturday, 4th October 2025 at the Jinns Rugby Ground, F-10/4 Islamabad. This historic tournament brings together six pioneering teams of women athletes from across the country in a fast-paced, action-packed rugby format that is gaining worldwide recognition.
The matches will kick off at 12:30 PM, and the event is expected to attract athletes, coaches, fans, families, and media representatives eager to witness history being made in Pakistan’s capital.
The First of Its Kind
The 1st North Women’s 7’s Rugby Tournament 2025 is not just another sporting event. It represents a landmark moment for Pakistan’s sports culture, especially for women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated games.
The tournament is built around the Rugby 7’s format. Unlike the traditional 15-a-side rugby matches, Rugby 7’s features seven players per side, shorter halves, and a faster tempo. Each squad will consist of 12 players (7 on the field and 5 substitutes), ensuring the competition is both dynamic and inclusive. Globally, Rugby 7’s is known for its energy, unpredictability, and ability to engage audiences new to the sport.
Six Teams, One Goal
Six trailblazing women’s teams will take part in the tournament, representing academic institutions and regional rugby communities. These include:
Women’s University Rawalpindi
Fatima Jinnah University (City Campus, Rawalpindi)
Islamabad Jinns Rugby Club
Fortabbas Rugby Team
Peshawar Rugby Team
Sheikhupura Rugby Team
Each team carries its own story of determination and hard work. For many players, this will be their first opportunity to compete in an official rugby tournament. For others, it will be the continuation of a journey that started in local schools and clubs. Collectively, these six squads represent the growing footprint of rugby in Pakistan’s northern region.
Rugby Development in the North
The driving force behind this event is the ongoing work of the Pakistan Rugby Union Development Program (North). The program focuses on expanding rugby in Islamabad, Rawalpindi Division, and Kashmir, where rugby has been gradually introduced in schools, colleges, universities, and community clubs.
The inclusion of institutions like Women’s University Rawalpindi and Fatima Jinnah University highlights the Union’s commitment to engaging young women at the educational level. By offering structured competitions and pathways, PRU ensures that female athletes can see rugby not only as a recreational activity but as a competitive sport with long-term opportunities.
The Development Manager (North) explained the vision behind this initiative:
“This tournament is a historic milestone. It shows that rugby is not just a sport for men—it is a game for everyone. By engaging universities, clubs, and communities, we are building a foundation where women can play, compete, and excel. Our work in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Kashmir is only the beginning. We want to see women from these regions representing Pakistan internationally one day.”
Pakistan Rugby Union’s Mission
The Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) has been at the forefront of developing rugby across the nation. Its mission goes far beyond organizing tournaments. PRU’s programs focus on:
Youth Development: Structured programs for U12, U14, U16, U18, and U20 categories.
Adult Rugby: Opportunities for both men and women to play in competitive environments.
Capacity Building: Training referees, coaches, and officials to professional standards.
Community Outreach: Hosting rugby festivals in towns and villages to create awareness and engagement.
This comprehensive approach ensures that rugby is not just introduced but nurtured in Pakistan. It lays the groundwork for the sport’s growth across generations.
Why Women’s Rugby Matters
Globally, women’s rugby has grown significantly over the last 20 years. International tournaments now feature women’s divisions, and Rugby 7’s is played at the Olympic Games. Pakistan’s inclusion in this movement is both timely and essential.
Women’s participation in rugby challenges stereotypes and empowers young athletes. It shows that strength, teamwork, and resilience are not limited by gender. For Pakistani society, events like this are more than sporting milestones—they are cultural shifts that inspire progress in gender equality and opportunity.
Breaking Barriers
The journey to this point has not been without challenges. Rugby in Pakistan faces limited resources, lack of infrastructure, and competition from more established sports such as cricket and football. For women, additional hurdles exist in terms of social acceptance and encouragement.
However, each barrier presents an opportunity. The 1st North Women’s 7’s Rugby Tournament 2025 is itself an example of overcoming these challenges. By bringing six teams onto the field in Islamabad, PRU is sending a clear message: women belong in rugby, and they will have the same opportunities to play and grow as men.
The Spirit of Rugby
What makes rugby unique is its core values: integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect. These values are at the heart of the sport and are passed on to every player who takes the field.
For the young women participating in this tournament, these values are as important as the technical skills of tackling, passing, and scoring. Rugby teaches athletes to support each other, play fairly, and push beyond their limits—lessons that extend beyond the field into all areas of life.
A Platform for the Future
This inaugural tournament is only the beginning. PRU has ambitious plans for the future of women’s rugby in Pakistan, including:
Regular women’s rugby leagues in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Kashmir
Annual inter-university rugby championships
Talent identification programs for school and college-level athletes
Specialized training camps for female players, referees, and coaches
Preparing women’s teams for participation in regional and international tournaments
By establishing a clear pathway, PRU hopes to ensure that the next generation of women rugby players will have opportunities to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Public Involvement
The event is open to the public, and families, students, and sports enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. Admission is free, making it accessible to everyone who wants to experience rugby firsthand. The organizers hope that seeing young women play rugby with passion and skill will inspire others to take an interest in the sport.
In addition to live matches, the event will provide opportunities for community engagement. Coaches and volunteers will be available to explain the rules of the game, answer questions, and encourage spectators—especially young girls—to consider rugby as a sport they too can play.
Media and Promotion
Recognizing the importance of visibility, PRU has invited local and national media outlets to cover the tournament. The goal is not only to highlight the event itself but to showcase the progress of women’s rugby in Pakistan.
Social media campaigns are also underway, with updates, photos, and player highlights being shared to engage audiences online. This approach ensures that the impact of the event extends beyond those present at the ground, reaching thousands more across Pakistan and beyond.
Conclusion
The 1st North Women’s 7’s Rugby Tournament 2025 is more than a sports competition—it is a milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward inclusivity, equality, and athletic excellence. By creating a platform for women to play rugby, PRU is shaping a future where strength and skill know no gender.
As the first whistle blows at Jinns Rugby Ground on 4th October 2025, it will signal the beginning of something much bigger than a tournament. It will mark the rise of women’s rugby in Pakistan, the breaking of barriers, and the start of a new chapter in the country’s sporting history.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, 4th October 2025
Time: 12:30 PM
Venue: Jinns Rugby Ground, F-10/4 Islamabad
For further information, media representatives can contact:
Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU)
📧 [email protected]
📞 +92-XXX-XXXXXXX
The future of rugby in Pakistan is here—and it includes women.
