Rugby, Culture & Community
When the Kazakhstan Rugby Federation began preparations for a crucial period in their international rugby calendar, they chose 11s Rugby Co. Ltd and Chiang Mai as their preferred destination for an intensive high-performance training camp.
With the Asia Rugby 7s Series deciders in China and Sri Lanka ahead, and the Asian Games in Japan in October 2026, the Kazakhstan men’s and women’s 7s squads arrived in Chiang Mai with one clear objective — to prepare, improve and compete at their very best.
And there is plenty to play for.
Both Kazakhstan squads have been drawn in the same groups as local favourites Thailand for the China leg and at the Asian Games. That makes for some fascinating match-ups — and from Chiang Mai, we will certainly be cheering on both the Kazakhstan and Thai teams as they take on Asia’s best in their quest for rugby glory! With both Ludwiche Van Deventer and Fabian Juries, head coaches of the men’s and Women’s 7s squads respectivly, they have the experience and dedication at the helm, to challenge the best in Asia.
Elite Rugby With a Difference
While the primary focus of the camps was elite-level preparation, the Kazakhstan experience in Chiang Mai was about much more than fitness, skills and tactics.
Training sessions were demanding and intense, with the players pushing themselves through the heat and humidity, building fitness, sharpening skills and developing the combinations required for international 7s rugby.
But between the hard work came adventure, culture, friendship and community.
That balance is something that makes Chiang Mai such a special destination for sporting teams. The players weren’t simply training — they were experiencing a new culture, meeting new people and becoming part of the local rugby community.
Lanna Rugby Club Steps Up
A major part of the camps was the involvement of Lanna Rugby Club, who provided training groups and opposition for both the Kazakhstan men’s and women’s squads.
For the Kazakhstan players, it was an opportunity to test themselves against different styles of play, work on combinations under pressure and bring their training to life in competitive situations.
For the Lanna players, it was an equally valuable experience — training alongside and playing against international athletes preparing for major Asian competitions.
It was rugby doing what rugby does best: bringing people together.
Passing the Ball — Passing on the Game
Perhaps the most memorable part of the Kazakhstan visit, however, was the community outreach program.
More than 70 underprivileged children from the Lanna Rugby Club youth development program joined the Kazakhstan 7s players for a special Children’s Day rugby session.
What followed was something considerably more powerful than a normal training session.
The Kazakhstan players became coaches, mentors and role models as they worked with the children through running drills, rugby skills and games.
For many of the children, the opportunity to train, play and simply spend time with international rugby players was an experience they won’t forget.
And the feeling was clearly mutual.
The Kazakhstan players didn’t just share their rugby knowledge — they shared their enthusiasm, energy and passion for the game. In return, they were rewarded with the smiles, laughter and sheer excitement of the young players.
More Than a Training Camp
The Kazakhstan camp demonstrated that international rugby can be about so much more than what happens on the scoreboard.
It is about building relationships, sharing cultures, developing communities and inspiring the next generation.
From elite international athletes pushing themselves to their limits, to children discovering the joy of rugby for the first time, the Chiang Mai camps brought together every level of the game. We were impressed by the dedication, intensity, pride and respect shown by both squads throughout their time in Chiang Mai – respect for one another, for the team, for the coaches, for the local community and for their country. The way the players and staff conducted themselves, both on and off the field, was a credit to Kazakhstan Rugby and made a lasting impression on everyone involved with the camp.
Srisuda Boonmuang, Managing Director of 11s Rugby said, “On behalf of 11s Rugby, we would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Kazakhstan Rugby Federation for the opportunity to work with your players and coaching staff during the recent rugby training coaching camps in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was a privilege to welcome the Kazakhstan national men’s and women’s 7s squads to our home. The commitment, professionalism and positive attitude demonstrated by all the Coaches, players and staff throughout the programme was outstanding. The camp provided an excellent environment for intensive rugby preparation, team development, cultural exchange and the strengthening of relationships between our organisations. We believe that rugby is not only about performance on the field, but also about building friendships, developing people and creating opportunities for players and coaches to learn from one another. The community outreach day with over 70+ underprivileged children participating, and the training sessions with the local rugby community, were particularly successful and will leave a lasting impression on the wider local rugby community. We would also like to thank local player & coach, Chakrapop “Josh” Limsakul, for being our operations manager for this camp, as he continues on his coaching jouney”
Matt Hirst, Lanna Rugby Club’s Director of Rugby enthused, “It was amazing to be able to spend time with the coaches of Kazakhstan and to learn from how they set up their coaching. Being able to see high performance coaching will have a lasting impression on me and hopefully my team. Thank you to Rugby 11s for organising the event and thank you to Kazakhstan Rugby Union for choosing Chiangmai.”
Kennedy Mack, Lanna women’s captain/ 7s coach said, ‘I told the girls that the opportunity to train with a professional national team is not something that many people have the opportunity to experience. The Kazakh women were so warm and welcoming, their skills were amazing. It was great to see the U19 Lanna girls train too. We all walked away with a smile on our faces having learnt something new.”
And as the Kazakhstan teams now continue their preparations for the Asia Rugby 7s Series and the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, they take with them more than just improved fitness and rugby combinations. They take memories of Chiang Mai, new friendships, new rugby connections — and hopefully a little bit of the spirit of Northern Thailand with them.
From all of us at 11s Rugby Co. Ltd, Lanna Rugby Club and the wider Chiang Mai rugby community — good luck, Kazakhstan Rugby!
We will be watching, supporting and cheering you on as you chase success in China, Sri Lanka and Japan.
Train hard. Play with pride. Represent with passion.
Kazakhstan Rugby — go for glory!
GO NOMADS!
