At Dartfordians, we’re passionate about the impact rugby can have on people and communities. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to see one of our own, Sandra, currently working in Kuala Lumpur with the Penguins International Rugby Club, helping to grow the game and create opportunities through rugby.

The charity touring side uses rugby as a force for good around the world, supporting youth development, coach education, inclusion and community engagement through the values that make our sport so special.

Over the course of the trip, Sandra has been working across a wide range of rugby environments, supporting the development of players from U12s through to senior rugby, including boys’, girls’ and women’s programmes. Her work has included delivering school rugby sessions at Garden Island School, where many pupils experienced rugby for the very first time, learning key skills alongside the core values of teamwork, respect and enjoyment.

The breadth of experience has been impressive. Sandra has supported players across U12, U14, U15 and U16 age groups, worked alongside women’s rugby programmes and contributed to player development opportunities throughout the Kuala Lumpur rugby community. She has also been part of the support coaching team within senior rugby environments, working alongside players from England, New Zealand and Australia, gaining valuable insight from different rugby cultures and experiences.

What makes this particularly special is the range of people being impacted. In the same tour, Sandra has helped introduce newcomers to the game, supported developing youth players, worked with women’s rugby programmes and contributed within senior performance settings. Few coaching experiences offer such a diverse opportunity to learn, develop and give back.
For those who know Sandra, this will come as no surprise.

The enthusiasm, care and energy she brings to every session at Dartfordians are the same qualities she has taken with her overseas. Whether working with children picking up a rugby ball for the first time or supporting experienced players looking to improve their game, she has continued to create positive, engaging and enjoyable learning environments.

As a club, we’re incredibly proud to see Sandra representing the values that matter so much to us: community, development, teamwork and a genuine passion for helping people grow through rugby.

We look forward to hearing more about her experiences when she returns and seeing how those experiences continue to benefit players and coaches across Dartfordians.

Well done Sandra. A fantastic example of a Dartfordian making a positive impact through rugby, both at home and across the world.