Women's rugby shines brighter in Mexico

Women's rugby in Mexico is gaining momentum, marked by a significant event at the Deportivo Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City. The Mexican Rugby Federation unveiled the national team's new uniform, shortly before the team secured a victory against Trinidad and Tobago. The occasion also featured the COX 2026 Interuniversity tournament, where six university women's teams competed, culminating in Panteras UAM defeating Búfalas UNAM for the championship.

Paola Martínez Castro, Director of Communication and Social Responsibility at COX, highlighted the company's ongoing commitment to women's rugby, a program initiated in 2024. "Giving visibility to this sport and to the women who dedicate themselves to it. This has allowed inspiring young women and girls to know that it is possible, and that this is also a path to grow and develop both on and off the field," she told EFE.

This surge in support for women's rugby in Mexico coincides with a global expansion of the sport. According to a World Rugby report, 49% of current women's rugby fans began following the sport in the last two years. The presentation of the new national jersey, white with green accents, the COX logo, and the Mexican Rugby Federation's serpent emblem, symbolized this progress. Martínez Castro emphasized that wearing the national jersey carries great responsibility and opens doors for aspiring female athletes.

María Pruijn, a player for the Mexican national team, spoke about the uniform representing years of effort. "We always say the uniform: you never know if it's your first time and also your last, or if even if you've worn it ten times, this new time will be the last. So, each time must be extremely special," she stated. Pruijn, along with many teammates, has played for over a decade, striving for recognition and opportunities for the sport. "We have spent years and years, my teammates and I, playing for more than ten years, seeking new opportunities, for rugby to be known, and to have something so big is incredible; it feels like a prize," she added. Mexico's subsequent 29-17 victory over Trinidad and Tobago capped off the event, reinforcing the growing presence of women's rugby in the country.