14-05-2025
Hornbill 7s to fire Miri with spirit of youth rugby
Under-17 boys from SMK Merbau and SMK Lutong in action in this file photo.
MIRI (May 14): As the Oil City prepares to celebrate its annual Miri May Fest 2025, excitement is also generated at Miri Stadium as the Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament kicked off yesterday.
The national-level youth tournament is promising thrilling action on the field till May 18.
The 12th edition has attracted a record 35 teams from Sabah, Labuan, Peninsular Malaysia and hosts Sarawak. Players will compete in age categories from Under-12 up to Under-20 in both male and female competitions.
Organisers are pointing to the inclusion of new age categories and more female teams as signals of the steady and healthy growth of rugby in Malaysia, particularly in East Malaysia.
The Hornbill 7s is jointly organised by the Miri Division Rugby Association (MDRA), with support from key state and national agencies including the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), National Rugby Development Programme (NRDP), Ministry of Education Malaysia, Sarawak State Education Department and the Miri District Education Office.
Organisers expect the event, which is sanctioned by Malaysia Rugby (MR), to draw a large crowd of rugby enthusiasts, parents, school officials and members of the public. Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shi will officiate the closing ceremony on May 18.
MDRA chairman Bunyamin Matnor believes the Hornbill 7s is not just another competition on the calendar but a long-term investment in the sport for Miri and Sarawak.
'This tournament offers a unique opportunity for students in Miri to test their abilities against teams from other regions. The exposure they gain here both in terms of skills and competitive mindset is invaluable.
'It is through this kind of experience that young players grow in confidence and maturity,' he told The Borneo Post.
The event also aligns with the broader goals of the NRDP in cultivating local talent to eventually feed into the state and national teams. The diversity of teams, playing styles and backgrounds adds to the learning environment.
A major development this year is the introduction of the Under-12 category, a move aimed at encouraging earlier involvement in rugby among schoolchildren.
Former national coach Sylvia Alexander Lian, who is from Sarawak, hailed the decision as a much-needed step towards expanding the sport at the grass-roots.
'Hornbill 7s has always been about development and, since we started in 2013, our vision has remained clear to make Miri a centre of youth rugby. Including U12 this year is a strategic move.
'We are starting to see more primary schools come forward and, with that, more young girls are joining the sport. This is crucial for long-term gender inclusivity and sustainability,' she said.
Meanwhile, MDRA is planning to organise at least three more closed invitational tournaments later this year.
Beyond the competitive matches, it is poised to hold value-added initiatives such as rugby clinics, officiating workshops, strength and conditioning seminars, and motivational sessions led by former national players.
Organisers are also branding this week's tournament as a sports tourism event. With teams travelling in from various parts of Malaysia, local hotels, eateries and transport services are expected to benefit from the influx of participants and supporters.
They expect the Hornbill 7s to contribute directly to the city's economy and showcase Miri's potential as a host city for national and regional sports events.
'With every tackle made, every try scored, and every handshake exchanged, the young athletes of Hornbill 7s 2025 are not just playing a game but they are shaping the future of Malaysian rugby, and by extension, contributing to a stronger, more resilient generation of youth,' said organisers in a press statement yesterday. Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament
