KUALA LUMPUR: After reaching new heights this season, Selangor Rugby Union (SRU) is looking to continue strengthening their women's programme next year.
Selangor claimed their maiden Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medal in women's rugby this year and also won the national sevens championship title.
The national women's sevens squad, which is largely comprised of Selangor players, also did well to achieve a best-ever sixth place finish in the top tier of the Asia Sevens Series this season.
SRU president Lim Yi Wei said she is optimistic about Selangor's potential in the women's game.
"We are happy to have won the Sukma gold and also place sixth in the Asia Sevens Series," said Yi Wei today.
"I believe we have a lot of potential on the women's side, especially as our players are still young and can be competitive for several cycles.
"The plan next year will be to get them to compete in more tournaments so they can get the exposure they need.
"There is also increasing support from the corporate sector who are keen to elevate women's sports, so we want to be able to ride that wave and capitalise on sponsorship opportunities.
"One of our main goals for next season is to stabilise our (SRU) finances and enlarge our corporate base (of sponsors) so we can strengthen our programmes."
SRU had also managed the national women's sevens squad for the Asia Sevens Series this season and are open to taking on the role again next year.
"Faiz Samsukhidhir had coached the national team while Tan Thiam Jin was team manager, they are both SRU members," said Yi Wei.
"We would definitely be open to it if Malaysia Rugby (MR) decides to entrust us with the team again to a certain degree. So far, we have not been in discussion with MR about plans for next season.
"But we have to be careful not to spread ourselves too thin, we also have to make sure that our responsibilities with Selangor are taken care of."
SRU also had a strong year on the men's side this season.
Selangor reached the Agong's Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2006 this year and also finished runners-up in the National Sevens Championships.
Yi Wei, who was also a competitive rugby player herself, is celebrating her 35th birthday today.