“I was just enjoying hanging around on and off the field,” said Chow, who was made an honorary member of the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s Hall of Fame. “It’s the friendships that have kept me going.”

As one of five sisters, Chow said she was able to write her own script as a youngster growing up, which meant she also played squash, tennis and took part in track and field.

“My parents gave me lots of freedom. Maybe they had too many kids to keep them busy – they never stopped me from trying any sports,” said Chow, who first picked up a rugby ball at the age of 16. “It’s a shame they didn’t come to watch my games but they were happy to see me on TV and in the papers.”

Hong Kong women look to New Zealand and 2021 Rugby World Cup

Chow’s career includes caps for both the sevens squad and 15s, her first tour being a trip to Japan as a 20-year-old winger in 1998. And, of course, her debut at the Hong Kong Women’s Sevens in 2001.

Chow said she remembers the roar of the crowd after scoring tries against the Arabian Gulf and Japan, something etched vividly in her memory. “I still remember the cheering and support from the spectators.”

She said early on she realised that rugby was different than a racquet sport or running – it required an entire unit to be on the same page.

“It’s a team sport, which is different from the sports I used to play. You can’t win by yourself, you need to do it with your teammates. The whole team goes up together and back together.”

Chow then transitioned into refereeing and still spends time with her USRC Tigers friends, as well as playing touch on occasion. Her career, which has taken her to every realm within the HKRU’s framework, has invariably made her a role model for young girls who want to get involved in the game, especially locals who may not feel confident enough to head out onto the pitch and pick up a ball.

“I never think of myself as anyone’s role model,” said Chow. “However, I always want to use my experience to inspire others. When people see me as a local Chinese, who came through the local development programme, played for Hong Kong, became a referee, and taking up a leadership role, I hope they say, “If she can, so can I’.”

World Rugby is hoping women’s rugby is the future of the sport, as women now make up a third of global players and are joining the game at a much higher rate than men. Chow said the goal is to get more women into senior leadership roles within Hong Kong’s rugby community, and that starts with young girls falling in love with the game early on in life.

“I would like to tell the young girls, ‘Don’t be afraid, just try first’. There will be some things you are unsure about, but please let yourself give it a go before doubting yourself. You never know what lies in front of you.”

HKRU chief executive Robbie McRobbie said the fearlessness Chow exhibits extends to every part of her life, both personal and professional.

“When I joined the union in 2003 Doris looked after the administration for the national teams, and all of them, even the giant second rows and the hulking grizzled front rowers, were terrified of her,” said McRobbie.

“She was also a national women’s team player herself, and she was a really tough character on and off the pitch. Over the years, my admiration for her passion and commitment to the game has continued to grow, and she is both a good friend but also someone who I know will always give an honest and frank opinion. When she thinks the union has got a call wrong, she makes sure I know it.”

Chow, who works as an executive secretary, said the end goal is to lead by example, in the hope of inspiring the next generation of female talent in Hong Kong to carry on what she started.

“We now have a good number of senior women’s players, but there are more aspects where we can get women involved. Rugby is a game for all, we can have more female coaches, referees, administrators and even spectators,” she said.