Anna Richards Inducted into International Rugby Board Hall of Fame

Anna Richards, women’s sevens coach at the elite rugby sevens athletes programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and the women’s sevens coach for the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union has been inducted into the International Rugby Board’s Hall of Fame.

Richards, who is the most capped representative of the New Zealand Black Ferns, represented New Zealand at four Women’s Rugby World Cups in her glittering career. Richards won the last of her four World Cups as a 45-year old in 2010. She joined the HKSI in 2014. Richards was never beaten in her New Zealand NPC career with Auckland.

She also played representative tennis and netball before playing rugby where she debuted for the Ferns in 1990.

Richards was inducted on Monday, November 17th 2014, alongside a group of the first female recipients of the award. Six women were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Monday as part of a 15-person contingent.

“The IRB Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. “It is particularly pleasing to be able to induct the first women into the IRB Hall of Fame. These six were wonderful players and, in many ways, trailblazers for the women’s game in their countries and around the world. We saw the success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this year in France and it is doubtful that would have been possible if not for the pioneering spirit of those great players and personalities that went before.”

The HKSI, where Anna currently works as the women’s rugby sevens coach, conveyed their warmest congratulations to her on attaining such a high international recognition.

Speaking on her induction, Richards said, “It is a great honour for me to be one of the first women inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. The IRB have been very supportive over the years and although we have a short international history compared to the men it is a great time for the IRB to acknowledge how far women players and women’s rugby has come.”