Ketaki Khare, member of the Indian women's rugby team, is the first foreigner to be offered a place in the prestigious Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's developmental rugby 7s program. She is the first woman rugby referee from India, and the first Indian woman to pursue rugby as a profession. I worked as a rugby development officer for the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union for one year before getting this training opportunity at BOP Rugby Union. In an exclusive interview with Indian Weekender’s Sumantra Maitra, Ketaki talks about her passion, her experience and future plans.
Where are you from? What made you interested in Rugby? Who inspired you? How supportive was family, in this body-contact and tough game?
I am from Pune, Maharashtra. I used to play Judo and wanted to learn Football alongside. I joined Khare's Football and Rugby Academy (Kfandra) for football but rugby stole my heart the first day I played it- as it was similar to Judo but it greatly appealed to me that I could throw the opponents on the field (in Judo there are mats). I loved the physicality of the sport- loved the hits and tackles and scrums and line-outs! There wasn't much of an inspiration as such- as the sport wasn't nationally played at that time. We had no opposition so for the first four years we played internal games during rainy season especially where we'd beat the crap out of each other. Apart from making me shower first in the garage before entering the house and cribbing about washing the muddy clothes, my mum has been highly supportive as she herself used to play Kabaddi during her school days! My dad though an athlete himself, on the other hand threw a fit when he found out that I was playing football saying 'girls don't play football', (though strangely he was ok with judo), so I never revealed to him that I was playing rugby until I got selected to represent India.
It was due to my dad's sudden demise in April 2012 that I had to make a decision- to pursue rugby or take up a job as there was a need to support my family (he was a retired army officer). I decided to give rugby a final shot by going to Sri Lanka and my mother supported me through and through with this decision. She got a job as a principal soon after and continued to support me. I wouldn't be able to follow my rugby dreams if it wasn't for her.
What's your educational background?
I have completed my graduation in Arts with sociology majors and psychology and German as minors. I'm currently applying to Unitec and AUT for a rugby coaching bachelor's degree. Hope I get through!! If I do, then I can play and coach rugby for three whole years in NZ - a definite step towards my ultimate goal of becoming a top notch rugby coach.
What teams do you play for in India? How do you practice? How are rugby sessions in India?
I play for RFS Pune club- team in India and represent the national team. We at RFS don't have our own ground. We practice on any surface that we can find as most of the grounds are monopolized by cricket and they don't allow rugby sessions on them. We hold contact sessions on front-lawns of players' homes etc! We have sessions at 5:30 a.m, two-three times a week at a 'ground' that's not level and is full of stones! We also have hill-runs once a while. I personally join the gym as do most of the other ladies but we don't have rugby specific work-outs - something that I'm going to definitely take back from what I learn during my time here in NZ!
What brings you to NZ? How do you like it here so far? What are the differences between India and NZ? Did you meet anyone from All Blacks?
I have come to NZ for the BOPRU's "women's rugby 7s high performance player development program" which would enable me to get better and fitter as a 7s player through training sessions and tournaments. I love it here! I got the opportunity to play against the Black Ferns before they headed out to Dubai and that for me as an Indian rugby player is a very very treasured one! The difference is the weather and people! I don't know where the people are at- there's so few of them around! On a rugby note, the players are much harder and physical in their game and also their skill levels are much sharper and they understand the game better- some of them having played rugby since the age of 5 and being immersed in a rugby environment! Yes I met some of the ABs! I got to meet Frank Halai, Israel Dagg,Tony Woodcock and Steven Luatua here in NZ, I had already met the AB 7s players in Sri Lanka during the Carlton 7s when I worked there as a rugby development officer.
I cannot stress how important it is to mention the sponsors who have helped me cover travel and living costs incurred as that wasn't included in my scholarship here. I would like to thank Kai Taraporewala- Tethys Ventures and Sir Ratan Tata Trust Foundation, and Fisher and Paykel, for their support in making this 'New Zealand dream' possible for me.
What future plans for you? How do you think Rugby will eventually be more popular in India?
My near future plans- to keep playing rugby and representing India while working towards becoming a top notch, full-time rugby coach. Long-term plans definitely include going back to India, having gained sufficient knowledge, skills and experience around the world, to put it to use for changing the face of rugby in India. I feel that other sports are slowly gaining their rightful importance in the Indian society, it will take time but Rugby shall definitely rise in popularity!