Back: Radika PS
Blackswrugby: How long have you been playing rugby for? Who/what made you join this sport?
Radika: Been playing since 1998 but started out playing touch as women's contact rugby was not developed yet. It was only through a good friend of mine who introduced me to the sport. So my friends and i decided to form a team and play in competitions organized by SRU. Then i continued playing touch in school as a CCA.
I joined Blacks in 2002, started out playing touch. It was the seniors who convinced us (the rookies) to try playing contact and have never looked back since..
Blackswrugby: Describe your most memorable experience playing rugby for Singapore and for the club.
Radika:
For Singapore, it was the 15s game in HK and I was nervous though it wasn't my first time playing with the HK team. It was one of the games that I tackled the most and the hardest and didn't missed any tackles.
For club, it was during my first overseas 7s tournament in Hadyai. Was scared shit cos i was playing in the seniors team and i didn't want to screw up the game plan. We won and it was my first time winning in contact rugby!
Blackswrugby: Do you think physical size is a major factor to succeed?
Radika: Nope. There are some international rugby players who are also physically smaller in size and yet they play good rugby. It's all about the skills and passion.
Blackswrugby: Describe your pain and pleasure of playing rugby on a good or bad day.
Radika: Those days at Farrer Park are the best! Though the field (muddy/potholed)and shower facilities are not great, we never complained. Rain or shine, injured or sick, I was always looking forward to trainings every Sunday.
Blackswrugby: Share with us about your speed trainings in Kenya or your normal routine as a shadow.
Radika: Hahaha - can't afford a coach in Kenya. Public transport system is such that the buses/trains only operate once in every few days so fastest way is to get from one place to another is by running. If you're lucky, probably can get a ride from a cow on the way!
Nothing special basically, I do my own runs and hit the gym at least once a week.
Blackswrugby: How do you manage work, rugby and social life and when was the last time you found it hard to strike a balance?
Radika: It was when i was still a student. Trainings were like 3-4 days a week - club and school trainings. But luckily i still managed to have a social life as my good friends too played rugby for both club and school. So basically we get to hang out more often!
Well now most of them have 'retired' from the sport, so we make a point to meet up at least once a month cos of their busy work/family schedules as well. I'm glad to have great support from my loved ones and that they didn't ditch me and find someone to replace me in the group! :)
Blackswrugby: What is your greatest motivation on the field?
Radika: My greatest motivation is the ball! Every time when I hold the ball, it's telling me to try something new/diff with it.
Can I say who instead?? If yes, it's Bryan Habana from SA. He's not that big and he's an awesome winger!
Blackswrugby: If you had 24 hrs to change the world, what would you change first and why?
Radika: That money will not exist in the world. Money destroys everything and widens the gap between the rich and the poor. Everyone should be treated equally regardless of money. Money doesn't define a person.
Blackswrugby: As a senior in the club, please provide in great detail, your top 3 advice for your less experienced team mates.
Radika:
1) No pain no gain!
2) Don't cheat cos you're only cheating yourself!
3) Practise makes perfect!
Spend some time working on specific skills on your own. Eg: passing, kicking, side-step etc. Watching rugby games will help you to understand the game better and also to motivate you to try things at trainings.
Blackswrugby: Provide 3 adjectives that best describe your game of rugby.
Radika:
Hardworking
Passionate
Determined
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