BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) has launched the “Get into Rugby Training and Education” in Negros Occidental to train potential teachers and coaches from June to July this year.
Anne Marice Sajorne, PRFU regional development officer, said in a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon the aim for those attending the coaching course is to form their respective teams from each school.
“We have talents here, why not develop them,” Sajorne said.
The rugby association has identified 73 schools in the cities of Talisay and Victorias, and E.B. Magalona in northern Negros to be part of the pilot launch.
The coaching course was first held in Talisay on June 23 and 24, with more than 50 participants from about 25 schools.
In Victorias, it will be conducted on July 7 and 8 and in E.B. Magalona, on July 14 and 15.
Through the “Rugby — A Sport for All” program, the PRFU has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) with funding from the New Zealand Aid Program to campaign for increased opportunities for youth participation in sports.
The collaboration aims to introduce rugby in athletic meets of the DepEd Division of Negros Occidental, using PRFU’s grassroots sports development framework.
Students aged 11 to 16 will be recruited from their schools or communities and will be trained by assigned coaches.
“Rugby — A Sport for All” is PRFU’s contribution to the Asia 1 Million Project initiative of Asia Rugby to kick start the growth of the sport across the region.
The PRFU itself is working towards the inclusion of rugby as one of the events in the annual Palarong Pambansa.
Under the Negros Island Rugby, the first and only rugby club in the island, about 1,000 youths have participated in the trainings, with some of them having competed in some tournaments, since 2014.
Aside from Sajorne, also part of the club are area coordinators Hannah Lescano, Angel Marie Gelisanga, Marion Mongcal and Jaycee Lyn Casilad, who have been coaching teams from various communities. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
