A regular referee on the women’s circuit, Khamova can boast of enjoying both an international refereeing and playing career simultaneously as well as lay claim to having had a direct impact on the course of rugby in these exciting times for the worldwide rugby community.
Having been selected by the International Rugby Board to address the International Olympic Committee in its successful bid for the inclusion of 7s rugby in the 2016 Olympics, Khamova is also a member of the IRB Working Group for the global plan on the women’s game.
Next week, Khamova will leave her whistle at home so that she may don the blue and yellow jersey for Kazakhstan in the Asian 4 Nations 2012 (Div 1 of Asian Women’s 15s). Hav represented her country for last 10 years, she has participated in two Women’s Rugby World Cups and can call on countless women’s international games in her 7 years of refereeing, including the Hong Kong Women’s 7s finals in 2010. Here is a little more about Anastassiya.
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| photo by Ernest Li |
Age: 32
Occupation: teacher
Playing Position: scrum-half, no 8, flanker
Highlights of Playing Career: 11th place in WWC 2006 and 2010
Highlights of refereeing career: Assistant Referee in the final game in Women's World Cup 7s
When and how did you start to play rugby?
In 2000 at university.
What is the difference between being a player and a referee?
There is no big difference, a lot of responsibility. You have to be fit and skillful.
Having won every Asian 15s Championship it has taken part in, Kazakhstan would be the favourites to win the Asian 4 Nations 2012 in July. However China has become a powerful force in women’s 7s in the last six years. Even if they have yet to develop their 15s game, do you see China as Kazakhstan's greatest competition or will Japan still pose a greater threat?
We haven’t seen China's 15s game anywhere, so this team will be surprise for us. All teams at the tournament will be strong and we are looking forward for the first game which will be against China.
Kazakhstan has dominated the Asian Women's 15s scene for the last 18 years but only beaten Sweden outside of Asia since its last World Cup win against South Africa in 2006, what do you think is the reason for this?
Women's 15s teams from all over the world have a lot of tournaments during the year specially Europe countries. I think in Asia ARFU should improve women's 15th with the more tournaments.
What does rugby mean to you and how has it changed your life?
Rugby is my life. I'm meeting a lot of interesting people and get more experience about game, referring and managing. And of course traveling.
QuickFire
Favorite player: George Gregan Australian scrum half and Augustin Pichot Argentinian scrum half
Favourite Team: All Blacks
Favourite Kazakhstan dish: Beshbarmak and Plov
Best Country I have visited: Singapore, Hong Kong and England
If I didn't spend so much time on rugby I would... Painting and maybe became architect
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