The women's rugby festival in Reservoir Hills combined sport with mentorship programs, education, and opportunities for young women.
The SIRIPAT LIONS RUGBY CLUB uses women's rugby not just as a sporting opportunity. The club from Reservoir Hills is deliberately using the game to build confidence, establish connections between schools and communities, and broaden horizons for young women both on and off the field.
This vision was demonstrated on Friday, August 28th, when Siripat Lions held a Women's Rugby 7s Festival at the Siripat Road sports complex. Participants included U14 and U17 players from Siripat Lions, Dr AD Lazarus Raptors, and Kingsway High School.
The festival took place during Women's Month, combining competitive rugby with elements of mentorship and empowerment. The club aimed to use sport as a means of community development, social cohesion, and player growth.
A Significant Moment for Kingsway High School
For Kingsway High School, this event was an important milestone, as it was the first women's rugby match at the school. Kingsway's Sports Administrator, Maryke Peters, noted: 'It was a proud and inspiring moment, giving them the chance to break barriers and show that girls can succeed in rugby too.'
She added that it was very important for Kingsway High School to see their girls become part of this wonderful day and gain such experience.
The Siripat Lions and Dr AD Lazarus Raptors teams have been playing contact rugby for the past two years, and the experience of these seasoned teams was evident on the field. The U14 girls from Siripat Lions and the U17 girls from Dr AD Lazarus Raptors won all their matches by more than 50 points.
Siripat Lions Chairman, Dion Naiker, stated that the significance of the festival cannot be measured only by match results. According to him, one of the most memorable moments occurred after the final whistle when the girls formed a 'tunnel' on their way to the bus. He emphasized that the friendship forged during the festival is an important part of the club's goals regarding mentorship and partnerships with schools.
Players who competed against each other subsequently socialized off the field, opening up possibilities for further collaboration between the school and the club, including a planned return visit to Kingsway High School.
Building Connections Through Rugby
Developing these relationships is at the core of the Siripat Lions philosophy. Rohan Jagessur, junior coach and manager of Dr AD Lazarus Raptors, noted that the partnership between the clubs demonstrates the value of using rugby to unite people. Jagessur stated: 'Rugby is a tool we use to grow our community and its residents. Today proved that our Player Mentorship Program and the partnership between Siripat Lions and Dr AD Lazarus are bearing fruit.'
He also mentioned that the collaboration with Kingsway represents another milestone in building bridges between schools and communities that might otherwise never intersect. 'We look forward to joint events where we go beyond sport—into the classroom and further, continuing to develop our vision of a unified community.'
This vision is particularly important for Siripat Lions, as the club views inclusivity as a central part of its role in community development. Naiker noted that although the club hosted tournaments for boys during Women's Month, it was appropriate to give girls a platform. 'As a club with a community development vision, we must be maximally inclusive and recognize the importance of women's rugby. We pay great attention to empowering women and educating girls.'
Breaking Misconceptions
The club believes that women's rugby in the community is experiencing slow but steady growth, although Naiker also noted that myths and misconceptions about girls participating in rugby still need to be debunked. Parents and players are increasingly realizing the opportunities that women's rugby provides, both on and off the field.
For Kingsway, this potential is already evident. Peters said that the girls gained confidence by participating in a sport they had never played before, while simultaneously learning important lessons in sportsmanship, camaraderie, and teamwork.
'They learned the best parts of sportsmanship and camaraderie,' she said. 'Teamwork within the team and with another team. Building relationships in a developing sport.'
She expressed a desire for Kingsway to continue developing women's rugby, especially given the strong interest among the students. 'We have a lot of interest from our girls in this sport, and I think we can just grow from here.'
She believes that the possibility of advancing in KZN women's rugby, and perhaps further, could create exciting opportunities for the athletes.
A Role Model Who Understands Hardships
The sporting aspect of the festival was complemented by an important mentorship session featuring Megan Comley, a former South African national sevens and Sharks player. Comley, who represented Sharks, Springboks, Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, and Tukkies from 2018 to 2025, addressed all the players after the matches.
However, she spoke not only about rugby. Comley shared her own journey and the obstacles she had to overcome to reach the pinnacle of the sport. She experienced a difficult childhood and was an orphan at a very young age before overcoming these circumstances to build a career at the highest level of rugby.
Her message focused on resilience, as well as balance. The girls were urged to understand the importance of education, make informed decisions, and recognize the opportunities that sport can create while learning how to cope with difficulties off the field.
Comley told the players: 'Rugby gave me everything and made me who I am. But, nevertheless, it is also about seizing opportunities when they arise and recognizing them for what they are. What you do today determines who you will be tomorrow.'
For Siripat Lions, Comley's participation is intended to be more than a one-off appearance. The club hopes she will engage with the girls more closely during a future, longer tournament where there will be more time for targeted mentorship.
Mentorship Beyond Match Day
This approach is part of a broader annual mentorship program involving community partners. Michelle Sipersad from the Rotary Club of Reservoir Hills conducted an inspiring session, encouraging the girls to understand and cope with the pressure they might face in school and in the wider community.
They were also encouraged to recognize their ability to make a positive impact by helping their communities and supporting those who follow. Rotary Anns from the Rotary Club of Reservoir Hills actively participate in the annual mentorship program. Other partners also contributed to creating opportunities for young players. Panbake Bakery provided refreshments, and SA Women’s Rugby, through Comley, supported the mentorship component.
Warriors Rugby Club in Dubai, Hollywood Foundation, and National Lotteries Commission provided equipment and gear. This support network reflects the club's belief that developing young players requires more than just putting them on the field.
Opening Minds and Creating Opportunities
Naiker expressed hope that the girls would take lessons from the experience presented and recognize the opportunities that rugby can bring. Through tournaments and the mentorship program, players interact with girls from similar and very different social strata and communities. His intention is to open their minds to new ways of thinking.
This approach is already yielding results that the club finds encouraging: this year, 14 provincial rugby players were selected solely from Reservoir Hills. Dr. Rekha Mahadev, Deputy Director of Dr AD Lazarus, and Mrs. Partab, the sports coach, also welcomed the development of the Raptors program for girls, noting that its success could contribute to the growth of the school's sports programs and the opportunities they create for young women.
The Next Chapter
Siripat Lions now plans to extend the program beyond the August festival. A return visit to Kingsway High School is planned, along with further tournaments at the Siripat Road sports complex involving a larger number of teams. The club also wants future events to include longer, full-day mentorship sessions with a wider range of community figures.
The goal is not simply to produce more female rugby players. The goal is to create an environment where young women can meet positive role models, build confidence, learn to make sound decisions, forge friendships across community boundaries, and realize that their opportunities extend beyond what they can currently see around them.
Perhaps this is why the image of the girls leaving the complex together holds such significance for the organizers. After the final whistle, rivals ceased to be mere opponents. They became young women who shared a field, learned from each other, and formed a new friendship. For Amabhubesi – the 'Lions' – the legacy they are trying to build in Reservoir Hills is more than rugby. They are laying the foundations of a community where sport becomes a bridge, mentorship becomes an investment, and young women are given the confidence and opportunity to shape their future.