Sabay Lynam, a fullback for the Hong Kong women’s 15s rugby team, is balancing her athletic career with academic pursuits in veterinary technology, a field that took her from a “domestic reptile ward” to international rugby competitions. The 22-year-old is currently in Hong Kong preparing for a series of WXV Challenger matches against Brazil, Fiji, and Samoa at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.

Born in Australia and raised in Hong Kong since the age of four, Lynam has cultivated her rugby skills both locally and in Queensland, Australia, where she studies at the University of Queensland and competes for the Wests Bulldogs in Premier Rugby. Her journey in rugby began around the age of eight with the Flying Kukris club in Tuen Mun, and she has since become a key player within Hong Kong’s rugby setup. She cites the support of her family as instrumental in her development, despite the sport’s reputation for physicality.

Lynam’s academic path runs parallel to her rugby career. She is progressing through a veterinary technology degree and recently completed a placement working closely with reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles. While initially apprehensive about snakes, she came to respect them as fascinating animals requiring careful handling. The placement involved treating various wildlife species such as magpies, cockatoos, koalas, possums, and kangaroo joeys. Looking ahead, Lynam plans to focus on her full clinical placement year, coordinating with university advisors and coaches to maintain her competitive edge on the field.

Her family has a strong connection to both Hong Kong and Australia. Lynam’s parents, Glen and Susanna, relocated from Australia to Hong Kong 18 years ago due to work with an NGO in China. Sabay’s younger sister, Ella, also plays as a fullback and is poised for her international debut, while her older siblings have diverse interests in education and music.

Despite a slight frame, Lynam embraces her role on the rugby pitch, where speed and tackling ability are paramount. She acknowledges the physical challenges of playing in the Australian Queensland competition, where opponents are often larger and play at a fast pace. She is contemplating adding muscle mass but remains confident that her current size does not hinder her performance.

Lynam’s absence of a Hong Kong passport has prevented her from participating in the upcoming Asian Games rugby sevens tournament, but she remains committed to representing Hong Kong in other international competitions. She credits the dedication of her teammates, many balancing rugby with full-time jobs, for inspiring her to improve continuously.

Upon graduation, Lynam intends to pursue a career in wildlife veterinary medicine, likely beginning in Australia before considering a long-term return to Hong Kong. Her passion for animals and sports is deeply rooted, shaped by years of family influence and personal experience.

“The degree teaches you the right way to do things, but the first time you monitor a patient by yourself, or put an animal under, it’s nerve-racking,” Lynam reflected. “I love what I do.”