By Matt Flemming
Contributing Writer
Since the club held its first practice back in the spring of 2005 with just 21 players, the Seoul Sisters Rugby Club has steadily grown in size.
But as the only women's rugby club in South Korea, in a part of the world where the sport is barely on the radar, the club has had go international in search of competition.
The club has toured China, Thailand and Guam in recent years, and this year hosted a team from Hong Kong in the spring, then traveled to Tokyo to take on a Japanese side in June.
Now the Seoul Sisters are set to welcome another squad from Hong Kong later this month and will jointly host an international touch rugby tournament in September.
Over the past four years, the club has grown to include about 50 players over three teams ― two competitive rugby sides and a touch outfit.
According to longtime club member Mel Cherry, Canadians and New Zealanders make up the bulk of the players, along with a few from the United States, Australia, England and even a couple of Koreans.
Cherry said that although many of the club's members played rugby back home, experience is not necessary to get involved.
``I'd say about half the players played at home, either in high school or university or on club teams, but the rest just picked it up for something to do," said the Colorado native.
Cherry played football back in the United States, and rugby turned out to be the next best available option in Korea.
Such has been their desire to compete, the Seoul Sisters have played against the Hong Kong national team on a few occasions and trained and scrimmaged from time to time with the South Korean national team.
Cherry said the team looks forward to the international matches, adding, ``We're really excited to host the Hong Kong club side in a few weeks.''
While the club has played against Hong Kong teams several times, this year marked the first time that the Seoul Sisters had traveled to Japan and the first time two club-level teams from the two countries had faced each other.
Though the Seoul Sisters lost 44-10, they may have established the beginnings of a rivalry with a team that isn't too far away.
The International touch rugby tournament, which takes place on Sept. 26, will include men's and women's competitions, as well as a mixed team division.
Last year, the capital played host to teams from Hong Kong, Japan, Shanghai, Beijing and Thailand, with four women's teams from abroad in attendance.
The Seoul Sisters practice on a field near Apgujeong station alongside the Han River and are always on the look-out for new members. For more information, visit the club's web site at www.ssrfc.com.