Miri's Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament showcases rising youth talent from across S'wak

Borneo Post

17-05-2025

Sarawak U20 girls team playing against Labuan in a friendly match before tomorrow's finals.
MIRI (May 17): The Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament roared to life at Miri Stadium today, drawing teams from across Sarawak and beyond for a high-energy weekend celebrating youth rugby.
Jointly organised by the Miri Division Rugby Association (MDRA), the event is supported by a strong network of state and national bodies, including the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), National Rugby Development Programme (NRDP), the Education Ministry, the Sarawak State Education Department, and the Miri District Education Office.
While early-week matches focused on the Under-12 category, the spotlight this weekend is on the Under-14, Under-17, and Under-20 divisions, with both boys' and girls' teams in action.
Today's matches saw dozens of games unfold with intensity and sportsmanship, as young athletes brought skill and passion to the pitch.
Among local participants, several Miri secondary schools fielded multiple teams, including SMK Merbau, SMK Pujut, SMK Dato Permaisuri, SMK Lutong, SM Sains Miri, and Kolej Vokasional Miri. SMK Merbau stood out with a strong showing—fielding seven teams across three categories: four in Under-17 boys, two in Under-14 boys, and one in Under-17 girls.
Designated as a training and development centre for SSC and MSNS in the region, SMK Merbau's active participation underscores its crucial role in nurturing emerging rugby talent.
The tournament also welcomed teams from outside Miri, including SMK Tebedu, SMK Tatau, and a squad from Labuan under the NRDP.
Representing Sarawak's interior, the Baram Rhinos Junior team added a grassroots element to the competition, while SSC's South Zone team further enriched the tournament's diversity.
A notable match today featured the Under-20 women's teams from Sarawak and Labuan—currently the only two sides in that category.
With a final showdown scheduled between them tomorrow, today's encounter served as a valuable warm-up and scouting opportunity for both camps.
While the competition remained fierce, coaches consistently highlighted the tournament's developmental focus over sheer results.
'This is where we start seeing who has the potential to go further,' said Er Embran L Mohd Ali, coach of the MSNS men's elite team.
'While it's not official scouting, it helps us keep track of emerging players.'
Tournament director and MDRA vice president Faqrul Hafiz Abu Bakar emphasised the event's broader objectives.
'This tournament also serves to support broader development goals,' he said.
The spotlight also shone on the growing momentum of girls' rugby in Sarawak.
Sylvia Alexander Lian, Head Coach of the Sarawak women's team and MDRA development officer, spoke on the sidelines about the sport's expanding influence.
'Women's rugby is the fastest growing sport in the world,' she said when asked about the sport's influence in Miri.
'What we are doing now is picking up where we left off before the pandemic, rebuilding the momentum and getting more girls back into the game,' she added.
The tournament concludes tomorrow with knockout rounds and finals, capping off a weekend dedicated to shaping the next generation of rugby talent in Sarawak. Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament miri