[7 May 2011]  ‘Wow’ Areerat, 12, was the luckiest member of an 80-strong group of children and staff from the SOS Children’s Village Bangpoo who watched Thailand play Chinese Taipei in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division II final, although the hosts eventually lost 22-10.

The youngsters were invited to watch the match at the National Stadium following a coaching clinic they enjoyed on Thursday morning as part of the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour’s six-day series of activities in and around Bangkok.

‘Wow’ was chosen as the mascot to escort Thailand captain Tanyavit Kuasint as he led his team onto the pitch, while Ub-ib’ Jedsada, also 12, was the mascot for the Chinese Taipei team.

“I actually chose to lead out Thailand. It was exciting to look up and see all my friends in the stands. I’ve watched the national football team on TV before, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a Thailand team play live,” said ‘Wow’, who lapped up the action, screaming and yelling through the game.

Her excitement hit fever pitch when some of her favourite actors then appeared in celebrity touch-rugby matches also involving the Thailand women’s rugby team, as the crowds awaited the 7.00pm clash between Japan and Kazakhstan, the first Top Five match to be played in a neutral venue.

“I’ve played sports like volleyball before, but Thursday was the first time I’ve ever played rugby. I really enjoyed the passing. It was then fun to watch a proper game today, especially as I also got to see some of my favourite actors,” she added.

‘Wow’ was among 44 girls and 56 boys inspired on Thursday by an all-star coaching team including Japan boss John Kirwan, who took a day off from coaching his World Cup-bound side to visit Bangpoo.

Dean Herewini of the HSBC Penguin International Coaching Academy, Frank Hadden, coach of Scotland from 2005 to 2009, and ARFU Development Officer Ismail Kadir, a former Singapore international, all introduced the basics of rugby in a lively session.

Herewini believes the SOS youngsters who watched their national team will be further encouraged to embrace the game.

‘This is really great for the kids to watch their national team at the National Stadium, especially as they also got to watch the Thailand women’s team and the famous actors,” Herewini said.

“The kids can start to see that rugby offers great opportunities, so that one day they may not only watch at the National Stadium but even play at the National Stadium.”

The HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour’s visit to the SOS Children’s Village Bangpoo left a legacy by providing kit, equipment and coach education. Iran coach Wayne Marsters and tight-head prop James Farad, and Chinese Taipei players Cheng Cheng-hung and Cheng Chi-kong were also part of the international coaching contingent.

This week’s HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour’s activities in and around Bangkok also included Tuesday and Friday clinics for students and coaches at Vajiravudh College, a Saturday morning session for 100 kids from the Bangkok Lions and Bangkok Japanese rugby clubs, plus IRB-certified referee coaching courses for match officials from across Asia, which conclude on Sunday.

The HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour heads next week to Dubai, which hosts Division IV matches on Wednesday and Saturday and the Top Five clash between UAE and Japan on Saturday evening.

Following the HSBC Asian 5 Nations and ongoing summer activity in Hong Kong, the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour will organise clinics from August onwards to support the new HSBC Asian Sevens Series which will feature events in China, Malaysia, Thailand and India.