Photo: From Daria Shestakova`s personal archive
In the high-octane world of Rugby Sevens, careers can be as fleeting as a lightning-fast try. But for Daria Shestakova, a former standout player for CSKA and the Russian national team, the end of one chapter merely signifies the exciting beginning of another. No stranger to challenges, Shestakova is now channeling her formidable energy into a new arena: sports media, all while remaining a steadfast advocate for the sport she loves.
From Pitch to Presenter: A New Horizon
Shestakova`s transition isn`t just a pivot; it`s a meticulously planned evolution. “Sport isn`t forever,” she wisely notes, echoing a sentiment familiar to many professional athletes. Currently, she wears multiple hats: an ambassador for CSKA Rugby Club and a diligent student at Ostankino, Moscow`s prestigious television institute. Her days are now filled with auditions, selections, and a deep dive into the intricacies of broadcasting, a stark contrast to the physical demands of her previous life.
Her initial foray into television, she admits with a playful smirk, was partly fueled by a glance in the mirror and a self-deprecating thought:
“Oh my God! I was just born to be on TV!”
Yet, beneath the humor lies a genuine passion that has always simmered. This new world, with its multiple cameras, teleprompters, and precise timing, is “complex and unfamiliar,” she concedes, “but incredibly interesting. It’s a completely different world!”
An Expert Eye on Russian Women`s Rugby
Even as she embraces her media aspirations, Shestakova maintains a keen interest in the Russian Women`s Rugby-7 Championship. She observes a league in flux, with exciting new teams like “Argat” from Ust-Labinsk and “Zilant” from Kazan shaking up the established order. She points out the struggles of traditional powerhouses like Yenisei-STM and Krasny Yar, noting the need for fresh talent and, crucially, financial backing.
Her analysis underscores a vital truth in sports: the irreplaceable value of experience. She champions the integration of seasoned players with emerging talent, citing the impact of Navrat Khamidova and Anya Yermolaeva (Gotseva) on newer clubs like Rostov-DGTU. Their European and World Series experience, Shestakova argues, is a bedrock for development. “Age is experience, work ethic, and the level at which one has played,” she states, cutting through any ageist preconceptions about athlete longevity.
This perspective extends to the broader professionalism of the sport. Shestakova confirms that for top teams, women`s rugby can indeed be a sole profession, a significant improvement since Rugby-7 gained Olympic status. The pay, while perhaps not astronomical, is “normal, sufficient” for an individual, allowing players to focus entirely on their craft without the impossible juggling act of a second job.
The Global Game: Stadiums, Crowds, and Fan Engagement
Memories of playing in legendary rugby arenas clearly ignite a spark in Shestakova. Paris, Dubai, and Sydney stand out as her favorite venues, not merely for their facilities but for the electrifying atmosphere created by tens of thousands of passionate fans. “A stadium can be anything, but the number of spectators makes the atmosphere,” she emphasizes. The contrast between playing before a roaring crowd of 40,000 and “one and a half diggers” (a humorous Russian idiom for very few people) is stark and unforgettable.
Her reflections on fan culture extend to the United States, where she was struck by the surprisingly large crowds at the 2018 Rugby World Cup in San Francisco and various World Series stages, even in less traditional rugby locales like Glendale and Atlanta. She muses whether it`s an “American cult” of attending any major event happening in town, a phenomenon that even inspired friends to drive nine hours to watch her play.
Bringing this level of engagement to Russia is a challenge she`s considered deeply. She praises Vasily Artemyev`s Tag Rugby (non-contact rugby) initiatives, particularly school leagues, as crucial “small gears” that spark wider interest. A recent anecdote perfectly illustrates this: a taxi driver, having heard her radio interview, recognized her, inquired about game schedules, and even asked for an autograph.
“We often underestimate the impact of media appearances,” she reflects, “but someone always takes note and becomes interested!”
This personal connection is not isolated. After a severe Achilles injury in 2023, while on crutches and feeling utterly dejected, she was recognized at a restaurant by its manager, a devout CSKA fan. The manager not only covered her meal but rallied the entire staff to wish her a speedy recovery. Such moments, Shestakova shares, are incredibly heartwarming and a testament to the power of sports to connect people.
A Sisterly Rivalry and the Battle with Injury
Daria`s rugby journey began in 2014, a serendipitous offer from her mother to try rugby in Moscow, a new sport for her and her twin sister, Arina, who were then playing amateur American football. The allure of a trip to Moscow was enough, and a seven-day tryout at RGUtiS-Podmoskovye (now VVA-Podmoskovye) led to both sisters signing contracts, launching their professional careers.
Playing alongside Arina was “normal and even cool,” but the dynamics shifted when they found themselves on opposing teams. “You don`t want to injure anyone, let alone your sister,” she muses. A pre-game pact for a “clean” match was humorously shattered when Arina immediately tackled her sister hard after a pickup. Arina`s retort: “What can I do? You took the ball!” A classic sisterly moment, forever etched in Daria`s memory.
Another poignant memory dates back to the 2015 Dubai World Series, where Arina made the national squad while Daria did not. She openly admits to feeling “offended” and questioning her abilities. Yet, this disappointment became a powerful motivator, propelling her to train harder and secure her spot in the next World Series stage in Brazil. (She also recalls the slightly less impactful, but equally memorable, incident of her daily allowance being pilfered from her Dubai hotel room, a detail she now recounts with a laugh.)
Today, Shestakova faces a different kind of challenge: recovering from a litany of serious injuries, including two Achilles tendon ruptures, two shoulder surgeries, and a pre-rugby elbow operation. Despite being under 30, her body has endured what many veterans face much later in their careers.
“I have a daily step limit,” she reveals, “and after that, my legs hurt immensely.”
Returning to play after such extensive trauma is, she admits, a rare feat. Her immediate focus is on regaining full health.
The Future of Russian Rugby on the World Stage
Looking at the broader landscape, Shestakova finds inspiration in the increasing longevity of women`s rugby careers. She points to players over 35 and mothers like Alena Tiron who return post-childbirth to deliver stunning performances, scoring multiple tries. “If someone feels they haven`t finished playing, and they can still perform, why not?” she asks, embracing the evolution of athlete careers.
However, the prolonged absence from international tournaments due to sanctions has taken a toll on the Russian national team`s development. While the domestic championship remains fiercely competitive, demanding high-speed and powerful play, Shestakova believes sustained exposure to the global game is crucial for nurturing young talent. She advocates for veteran players like Nadezhda Sozonova and Kristina Seredina to mentor newcomers, providing invaluable experience that international competitions would otherwise offer.
If Russia were to be suddenly reinstated into the World Series, Shestakova offers a candid assessment. She notes the “crazy speeds and tempo” of current international play. Initially, an “euphoria” might propel the experienced Russian core to a strong showing, perhaps even a “top eight finish, maybe higher.” But this momentum would be short-lived. With established powerhouses and rapidly improving teams like China, a long-term return would demand a rigorous rebuilding phase. “It would be tough,” she concludes, “we`d have to start from scratch, and it would likely involve a year of sweating it out at the bottom of the table.”
Daria Shestakova`s journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication to her sport. Whether on the field or in front of a camera, she continues to inspire, proving that a passion for rugby, and for life, can lead to remarkable second acts.
Rupert Caldwell