Panaji: Chanel Crizzle is back home after representing India at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series in Suzhou. This was not her first international assignment, surely won’t be the last, but her trip to China was an eye-opener.The tournament provided the Goan player an opportunity to experience a different rugby culture, test herself against some of Asia’s leading teams and understand what it takes to compete at that level.“Every tournament is a different opportunity,” said Crizzle, known in Goa’s sporting circles for her allround sporting abilities. “There is always something new to learn. When you travel abroad for rugby (tournaments), you get to experience different cultures. We stay in the same hotel, eat together and get to see how different cultures are.”In China, India finished sixth. For Crizzle, the value of the tournament went beyond the final standings. Playing against experienced sides such as Japan offered a chance to observe how other teams prepare and approach matches. Not all teams prepare in the same manner.“Some teams are very calm and quiet before a game. Some don’t even listen to music. With India, we listen to music, dance and play fun games to activate our brains.”But once the whistle is blown, the competitive mentality is much the same. In her own words, “everyone wants to win.”The Indian team has also been backed by a more structured approach to preparation. Players have access to a nutritionist who monitors their diet and protein intake, as well as a sports psychologist.“The nutritionist tracks what we eat, how much we eat and our protein intake. We also have protein supplements,” she said. “We have a sports psychologist who helps us on and off the field.”For the Taleigao-based Crizzle, the international experience is also about understanding her own game and becoming a better teammate. She was vice-captain for India at the CASA 7s in May, although she did not hold that role in Suzhou.“For us, everyone is a leader of themselves. We cannot be world-class players if we are not leaders of ourselves first,” she said.“The captain and vice-captain have to lead by example. It’s not just our teammates who look up to us. The whole country looks up to us.”Her path to the international level has also involved recovering from a knee injury, an experience that changed her approach to the physical and mental demands of the sport.“Coming back from injury wasn’t easy. Rugby puts huge demands on your body, especially your knees. It taught me resilience. It made me realise that things are more mental than physical.“Your body can take more than what your mind thinks it can. I remind myself that my body is capable of more. When I’m on the field, I don’t think about my past injuries,” she said.The tournament in China provided another timely reminder of the rising standards. India defeated UAE in the pool stage and Singapore in the classification match, while losing to Hong Kong China in the quarterfinal. For Crizzle, however, the experience of being around teams from across Asia was itself part of the learning process.“You learn from every team you play against. Every tournament gives you something new, whether it is on the field or off the field,” she said.That international exposure has been complemented by her experience in the Rugby Premier League, where she played for Mumbai Dreamers alongside Olympians, international players, and some of India’s leading players.“Everyone came there knowing they were among the best. That competitiveness made the league incredible. It was a different format, more challenging than what we normally play, but it was highly competitive.”
