If any of the Iranian women's squad had cauliflower ears at the international sevens tournament, nobody would be able to tell as they took to the pitch in full length skin suits and headscarves underneath their kit. They caused quite a stir at their first ever European appearance.
The team did not fare so well in the tournament held in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, as they lost 10-0 against the host nation and 33-0 in a second game. But they bounced back and secured several victories.
The players sported a version of the 'maghnaeh' veil which only reveals the face and hands. This is a huge step in a strict culture that saw an Islamic revolution a quarter of a century ago when women's activities were strongly discouraged. It would have been unthinkable for a woman to play a sport as physical as rugby.
Fatme Molai has been coaching the squad for four years and remarks that the kits are just something they wear and do not influence the way they play. Although she admits that the veil could be more practical and the federation is looking into other options, she is satisfied that it adhered to their society. She added that although the team did not win the competition as they did in Laos and Thailand, she was happy with their first European performance.
Tehran women's coach Alireza Iraj, a man, explained that it is important to coach the team whilst adhering to strict rules. In Islamic law two members of the opposite sex cannot touch unless they are married or members of immediate family. When teaching scrums or tackles he ensures he keeps a decent distance from the women and instructs the players rather than carrying out a movement himself.
According to team Captain Zohre Eyni, 22, the whole squad had learned to keep the veil in place so that it doesn't interfere with their abilities and that they have proven that the veil does not hold them back in any sport even one as physical as rugby.
The team did not fare so well in the tournament held in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, as they lost 10-0 against the host nation and 33-0 in a second game. But they bounced back and secured several victories.
The players sported a version of the 'maghnaeh' veil which only reveals the face and hands. This is a huge step in a strict culture that saw an Islamic revolution a quarter of a century ago when women's activities were strongly discouraged. It would have been unthinkable for a woman to play a sport as physical as rugby.
Fatme Molai has been coaching the squad for four years and remarks that the kits are just something they wear and do not influence the way they play. Although she admits that the veil could be more practical and the federation is looking into other options, she is satisfied that it adhered to their society. She added that although the team did not win the competition as they did in Laos and Thailand, she was happy with their first European performance.
Tehran women's coach Alireza Iraj, a man, explained that it is important to coach the team whilst adhering to strict rules. In Islamic law two members of the opposite sex cannot touch unless they are married or members of immediate family. When teaching scrums or tackles he ensures he keeps a decent distance from the women and instructs the players rather than carrying out a movement himself.
According to team Captain Zohre Eyni, 22, the whole squad had learned to keep the veil in place so that it doesn't interfere with their abilities and that they have proven that the veil does not hold them back in any sport even one as physical as rugby.
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The only other changes the muslim team must make to the sport is to ensure their rugby balls are not pigskin and their rugby boots also protect their modesty.
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