Hong Kong domestic helper proves age is just a number after being named in city’s mixed team for Tag Rugby World Cup
- Hermelin Esmalla only took up the sport two years ago but has already embraced it in all its forms
- The 36-year-old is also part of the Sandy Bay Typhoons squad that plays in the women’s community league
Just two years after taking up rugby, Hermelin Esmalla will represent Hong Kong at the sport’s tag World Cup this summer.
The 36-year-old Filipino said she was “so shocked I couldn’t speak” after being named in an 18-strong squad for the mixed-team event in Ireland this August.
Despite coming to the sport late, Esmalla has already embraced its many different variations, and as well as playing tag for Wanchai Warriors and alongside other domestic workers with Pinay Tribe, competes in a mixed-touch league for Blue Dragons and 15-a-side full contact with Sandy Bay Typhoons in the women’s community league.
“I was so very happy and could not believe it Jonathan Mo the Tag World Cup coach for the Hong Kong team called me and congratulated me,” Esmalla said.
“I never ever imagined that I would be selected to be one of the final 18 from over 80 men and women who applied. I then sent a message to my Filipino community and it felt really good for them to be proud of me.”
Her rapid rise is somewhat fitting for the wing, who started out worried that she was “too skinny and would be tackled and injured easily”, but discovered that her love of running fast made for a smooth transition.
