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Latest News
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Women in Rugby
Tuesday 25 January, 2022
4 min read

Peris Mukoko aiming to use Scholarship platform to raise standards in Kenya and East Africa

We spoke to the World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship recipient about her life in rugby and campaign to become vice-chair of the Kenya Rugby Union.
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World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship recipient, Peris Mukoko is not someone who is scared of a challenge.

A member of the first ever Kenyan women’s national team, Mukoko hung up her boots and picked up a whistle in her early 20s as refereeing offered more regular opportunities to connect with the game she loves.

She went on to break ground as a match official, being selected by Rugby Africa for a month-long training camp in Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2014 and getting a taste of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action in Dubai in December of the same year. 

Mukoko served as an assistant referee during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup 2017 and has since passed on her knowledge as Kenya’s first female World Rugby-accredited match official educator.

In 2019, Mukoko’s standing in the game was confirmed when she was co-opted onto the Kenya Rugby Union board. By her own admission, being one of the first female representatives on the board – alongside Wangui Kibe – brought its challenges but they only served to push her on.

That is why she made the decision to apply for the Scholarship, so she could upskill herself and better advocate for female match officials and women in rugby.

Meet the unstoppable board member from Kenya, Peris Mukoko 🏉🇰🇪#TryAndStopUs #Unstoppables #WomenInRugby #Africa #Kenya @OfficialKRU @WorldRugby pic.twitter.com/Y0hW78KjdJ

— Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) November 13, 2020

“I opted to apply for the Scholarship because it was going to give me a platform to actually raise the standards of women match officials and women's rugby in Kenya and East Africa,” she told World Rugby.

“It's best to actually show that Kenya also has the capability to put women's rugby on the map as well from a leadership perspective.”

Supportive leadership network

The application process was not a straightforward one for Mukoko as she had just given birth to her first child, daughter Naya, when she made the decision to put her name forward.

She has been grateful for the support of former Scholarship recipient and current Rugby Africa Women’s Rugby Manager, Maha Zaoui, who guided her through that period while she adapted to parenthood.

Mukoko is due to start an online course in public policy analysis at the London School of Economics (LSE) next month, and the Scholarship is already having an impact on her career in Kenya.

With the Scholarship comes membership of a global network of female leaders and encouraged by the achievements of her peers, Mukoko has decided to stand for election as vice-chair of the Kenya Rugby Union.

“What the women have actually done is motivating me to vie for vice-chair of Kenya Rugby this year,” she said.

“It's through those networks and encouragement from the women, just women supporting women and women doing wonderful things to actually motivate.

“The networks actually help because you're able to get… if it's not a mentor, it's someone cheering you on. If it's not someone cheering you on, it's someone who's working with you.

“If it's not someone working with you, it's someone who has the same challenges that we're facing in Kenya [and asking:] ‘But how best can you actually manoeuvre through that?’

“So, the women in leadership network is actually a mix of wonderful ideas and people that I'm borrowing heavily from as well.”

On the campaign trail

Mukoko faces a busy couple of months as she juggles life as a mother – Naya is now 15 months old – with her LSE studies, her election campaign and a full-time job.

The KRU election will be held in March and between now and then Mukoko will need to spend hours talking to clubs and their representatives up and down the country to win their vote.

Her manifesto is a broad one, but women and development are at the heart of it.

Mukoko intends to increase opportunities for women to be a part of the game however they feel comfortable – playing, refereeing, coaching or administration – while ensuring infrastructure is put in place that can be built on successfully in the future.

“Before [election day] there are lots of things that happen in the background,” she said. “Having conversations with some chairmen and seeing how best we can continue to grow the women’s game, not only in Kenya but also across the world.”

It is almost three years since Mukoko was first co-opted onto the KRU board and in that time, she has learnt how to get her point across in a male-dominated space.

“I think maybe coming from playing rugby I've always understood the biggest challenges that are there, but I keep on being an echo,” she said.

“I say one thing today, I echo it again tomorrow and you know, there are only two ways to deal with an echo. You either listen or you act and see how best to implement it.

“So, some challenges are there. Sometimes you have to also be diplomatic but at the same time, you also have to be vocal.

“You just don't sit down and fold your arms and say whatever happens, happens.”

As she looks to the future, Mukoko says it would be a “dream” to watch some of the match officials she works with in Kenya referee on the international stage.

“My dream is to see one of them at Rugby World Cup,” she said.

Whether that happens or not Mukoko is determined to do whatever she can to help ensure rugby remains a “safe space” for women and provides them with opportunities to develop.

“It’s only fair for us to reflect what the core values of the game actually stand for and build on it,” Mukoko said.

“It's a sport for all. It encompasses and looks at different ages, different ethnicities, different genders.

“Hopefully, when that time comes, we'll be able to look back and say at least we took a step and we tried, and we continue to march on, and we see the next stage the road leads us to.”

READ MORE: How rugby helped Rhode Island state Senator Tiara Mack become a “natural leader” >>

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Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

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The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

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Wed 11 May, 2022
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HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

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Thu 5 May, 2022
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Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

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Tue 3 May, 2022
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Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
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Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
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HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
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HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

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Fri 29 April, 2022
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Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

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Thu 28 April, 2022
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HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
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