C.M. Paul
Siliguri, Jan. 30 2025: A Catholic parish in West Bengal has provided 11 of the 12 members of the state’s Women’s Rugby team attending the January 29-31 National Games held at Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
The Women’s Rugby team is based in Saraswatipur, a small tea garden village in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal under Don Bosco Shrine parish Siliguri established in 1993.
Christened Jungle Crows, the adivasi tribal girls team is part of the Women’s Rugby tournament, which is being played at the Maharana Pratap Sports Complex in Dehradun.
They are competing against seven other teams, including Odisha the defending champions, West Bengal, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to Matters India, Social Entrepreneur and founding facilitator of Women’s Rugby in Saraswatipur, Fr. Mathew George recalls, “The team was founded in 2004 by Paul Walsh, a British bank employee in Calcutta who was a rugby enthusiast.”
Salesian Father Mathew George, is currently skilling under privileged youth in the jungle mahals of West Midnapore.
“The Jungle Crows were initially formed to provide opportunities for underprivileged tribal girls in the tea gardens to use their strength and stamina to learn and play rugby,” says former Salesian College Siliguri Assistant Professor Fr Mathew George who was instrumental in the creation of Saraswatipur Girl’s Rugby team.
Fr Mathew George does not hesitate to add, “The Jungle Crows are not just a rugby team; they are also a community development program. Under Khelo Rugby banner, the team’s founders and coaches work with local children, providing them with education, nutrition, and life skills, in addition to rugby training.”
The Jungle Crows’ achievements in Indian rugby are impressive. They won India’s first-ever Women’s 10s tournament in October 2009 as well as National 7s in March 2010. Additionally, the Jungle Crows Foundation has produced players who have gone on to represent India in international rugby competitions, as well as provided staff for Decathlon sports chain supermarket.
Over the years, The Jungle Crows have had a profound impact on the lives of the children and communities they belong.
“They have helped to promote education and health awareness; develop life skills and confidence and provide opportunities for social mobility and personal growth, as well as higher education,” Fr. Mathew George says.
The National Games is a mini-Olympics for India are taking place from January 28 to February 14, 2025, and feature 36 sports disciplines, including four demonstration sports in 11 venues in Uttarakhand.