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Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Hornbill 7s salute youth and women's rugby
Sarawak's U20 women's team celebrate with (back from fifth left) Lau, MDRA vice president Faqrul Hafiz Abu Bakar, and Cranfield. MIRI (May 19): There was great fanfare at Miri Stadium yesterday upon the conclusion of the Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament 2025, which showcased top young rugby talents from schools across Miri and beyond. The competition, which introduced age categories younger than those in previous editions, centered on developing future talents with officials and coaches also eyeing prospects for next year's Sukma (Malaysia Games). Miri Division Rugby Association (MDRA) advisor Landale Cranfield was quick to stress the tournament's role in talent scouting and long-term athlete development. 'We have seen potential talent from the Under-12s right through to the older age groups. By teaching fundamentals to these youngsters now, we could develop elite athletes over the next decade who can represent Sarawak and Malaysia at international levels,' he said. He also highlighted the growing support for women's rugby, noting the rapid development since 2012. Miri city councillor Victor Lau, who represented Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin at the closing ceremony, underscored the government's commitment to sports development as part of its social and political agenda. 'We hope for more support from the teachers,' he said while emphasising the role of parents, teachers and the wider community to build a healthy and inclusive sporting culture. Cranfield acknowledged the contributions of government agencies in promoting the sport but expressed the hope for more funding on development to widen the talent pool and ensure a steady pipeline of future rugby players. Miri Hornbill players are seen with officials. In the Boys Under-14, SM St Michael from Penampang, Sabah emerged champion with SM Sains Miri runner-up. SM Sains Miri, however, claimed the Boys Under-17 title followed by SMK Tebedu. The Girls Under-17 champion was NRDP Labuan with SMK Merbau runner-up. Miri Hornbill topped the Men's Under-20 ahead of Baram Rhinos Jr second and KV Miri third. Hornbill 7s 2025 ended with organisers and coaches expressing optimism about the future of rugby in the region, pointing to training camps, talent identification programmes and community support as the way forward.
Borneo Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Miri's Hornbill 7s Rugby Tournament showcases rising youth talent from across S'wak
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
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
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
