From small beginnings, participation in women’s rugby in Mexico has grown exponentially in a short period of time.

Qualification for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 – the first time Las Serpientes have made it to the game’s marquee tournament – has only served to accelerate that process with captain Daniela Rosales acting as an inspirational role model for the thousands of girls now playing the game.

Back in November, Rosales scored the only try and points as Mexico beat Trinidad and Tobago to book their ticket to San Francisco as Rugby Americas North champions and she continues to be a standard-bearer for the team and women’s empowerment in general.

Traditional Mexican culture has shifted over the past decade in its expectations of women, and the success of the national women’s sevens team and the emergence of players like Rosales has played its part. 

“Some of these girls whose families didn’t support rugby have really opened up since their daughters have qualified for the World Cup,” said Robin MacDowell, who led the team to the Rugby Americas North Sevens title shortly after taking on the role of head coach.

"Anything is possible"

“The support from the Mexican rugby community has been incredible, our sport is exploding across the country thanks to these inspirational young women.”

Drawn against top seeds New Zealand at RWC Sevens 2018, Mexico are working hard to give a good account of themselves and have already completed the first of seven planned pre-tournament training camps.

“I am totally committed to the team and with my team-mates, we are working very hard and building to be the best version of ourselves in the World Cup. This is the most important tournament I have been involved in,” added Rosales, who recently led Mexico at the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier in Hong Kong.

Team Mexico has a motto. ‘Dream. Believe. Succeed.’ With these three words, their team leadership and MacDowell, known to the team as Loco, at the helm, Las Serpientes look forward to the challenges ahead as they step closer towards their RWC Sevens debut.

“A year ago, thinking we would qualify for World Cup was a tall order. Anything is possible,” said Rosales.