Singapore Cricket Club and the Singapore Rugby Union promote Rugby in local schools

RUGBY

Monday, 22 October 2007 at the Singapore Cricket Club

The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) announced an initiative to promote rugby in local schools with funding from the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) Rugby Sevens Tournament which celebrates its 60th Anniversary on the Padang this weekend.

SCC Rugby players put Pioneer Secondary School boys through their paces. Pioneer finished fourth in this year’s National B Division. Harry Woods and Suhami Amran with tackle bags, Pioneer players (left to right): Muhd Asyraf Hidayatullah, Ramarendan Viarakanu, Mohd Khairul bin Saad, Shahrizam bin Saad. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Fifty rugby starter kits for schools are being given to a variety of schools across Singapore to give students the opportunity to get actively involved in this game and promote it across the country to help the development of younger players. The kits, which consist of balls, training bibs, markers, tackle bags and contact pads are vital tools giving more children the opportunity to participate and ultimately aid the development of the club and the national talent pool.

Chairman of SCC Rugby Sevens, Jon Robinson kicked off the initiative by presenting Pioneer Secondary School with their kit to emphasise the commitment of SCC in attracting new talent to the sport:

"Over the last 60 years, the SCC Sevens has contributed to the development of rugby in Singapore - we hope that this donation to schools will sow the seeds for growing a keen and committed future generation of Singapore players."

The Pioneer rugby boys with the kit their school will receive. (left to right): Front Row - Shahrizam bin Saad, Mohd Khairul bin Saad, Ramarendan Viarakanu, Al-hafiz bin Chomaat, Muhd Asyraf Hidayatullah. Back Row - Harry Woods (SCC Rugby Captain), Jon Robinson (SCC Rugby 7s Chairman), Ian Bremner (Chief Executive, SRU), Adrian Angappan (Head of Business, SRU), Werner Trachsel (Director of Sports and Operations, SCC), Suhami Amran (SCC Rugby Squad member). © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Chief Executive of the Singapore Rugby Union, Ian Bremner said: "The SRU are extremely grateful for this magnificent contribution of equipment from SCC to the development of Rugby in schools. Rugby is now played in 100 schools in Singapore and this will help us to introduce the game to schools that are keen to take up the sport."

This weekend's International Club 7s Tournament is the perfect opportunity for Singapore to witness first-hand some of the best players in the world. With 28 teams from countries including Fiji, Dubai, Scotland, South Africa and New Zealand attending, the 60th Anniversary tournament boasts the best line-up in its history with seven full International sides appearing and many players using this platform as an opportunity to impress coaches and selectors of the full 15-a-side game.

Asyraf (left) didn’t like the sport of Rugby initially, but is now good enough to represent Singapore at the under-16 level together with his Pioneer schoolmate Shahrizam. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Jon Robinson, continued: "We are very excited about this year's sevens tournament and are proud that it continues to go from strength to strength. It is a fantastic event for all the family and we hope the quality of players on show here will encourage young Singaporeans to aspire to perform at this level one day."

The 60th Anniversary Rugby 7s takes place at the Padang on 27th and 28th October from 8am.