Indonesian Rugby is preparing to launch itself into 2014 on the back of a monumental decision by the International Rugby Board (IRB) on November 20, 2013 to grant the Union Full Member alongside the giants of the game in New Zealand, Australia, England and other nations. Indonesian Rugby also gained much needed “National Status” in 2013, earning recognition from KONI on August 28. Together, these two achievements show just how far Rugby has come in Indonesia since the seven founders decided to get the ball rolling back in May 10, 2004.
Indonesian Rugby is always trying to make a conscientious effort to contribute to the local community both on and off the playing field and 2013 was no different:
- One of the biggest achievements of 2013 was the launching of regular Saturday morning Indonesian Women’s Rugby Training sessions, involving a group of young ladies from Mama Sayang’s Orphanage and the Banteng’s RC. These ladies have embraced the game of Rugby thanks to the coaching efforts of Stephen Barber, David Nye and Peter Klestov, plus fantastic support from the Jakarta International School (JIS) and Britmindo. The young ladies toured Bali in mid-October thanks to great support from Britcham, the Priscilla Hall Memorial Foundation (PHMF), Britmindo and ‘GR8 Mates’.
- Indonesian Rugby also assisted the Britcham Give Kids a Sporting Chance Foundation for the third year running as part of the 2013 Jakarta Highland Gathering at Karawaci. During the day over 300 Indonesian children were exposed to a number of sports including Rugby.
- The Indonesian Schools Rugby Tournament was played at the Senayan Sports Complex. Following this tournament, the first ever National Under 20s Harimau Muda Squad was selected to participate in the Asia Junior 7s U20s Tournament in September. The team was sponsored by HSBC, and despite not recording a win the players all came away having experienced their first international tournament and the honour of being young Indonesian ambassadors.
- Indonesia was also represented on the international scene by the Indonesian National Men’s Team, The Rhinos, who participated in the 2013 HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division III Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In their semi-final match against Guam, The Rhinos were outclassed 15-33, however the team was able to regroup well and recorded a handsome 37-13 win over China in the 3rd/4th place match.
- Indonesia participated in the Singapore leg of the HSBC Asian 7s Series in early November. The Indonesian National Men’s Sevens Team, The Harimau, entered the tournament as underdogs and in their last match of the tournament they played the United Arab Emirates for 11th/12th Place. The Harimau bolted out of the blocks early, before running out worthy 27-7 winners to record their first ever international win.
- Jakarta International School (JIS), Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH), British International School (BIS) and Global Jaya International School (GJIS) hosted the four rounds of the 2013-14 Jakarta Schools U15s & U18s Rugby Competition (JAKSRUC). This tournament was first started by Indonesian Rugby in 2009 and it was great to see the New Zealand International School (NZIS) joining regulars including JIS, SPH, BIS, GJIS and Lycee Indonesia Francais (LIF) as participants. The introduction of Girls’ Rugby as part of the schedule made JAKSRUC a ‘true’ schools competition.
- In late October, Indonesian Rugby hosted the HSBC Penguins International Rugby Club. They conducted an IRB Level 1 Coaches Course and it was great to see so many young Indonesian males and females participating in this course. The Penguins also visited a number of schools and the highlight of their trip was a visit to the Mama Sayang Orphanage, located south of Jakarta.
- Indonesian Rugby assisted hosting the 2013 Britcham Sports Gala Night at The Grand Kemang Hotel, by inviting Guest Speaker, John Bentley (ex-England & Lions) and MC Justin Sampson. This dinner was a resounding success, raising much needed awareness and funds to be used for Rugby and sports development for young Indonesians.
- The 2013 Indonesian Rugby Charity Lunch held at the Fez Dungeon. This event featured former Wallaby Ben Darwin and MC Justin Sampson. This lunch allowed the Union to promote its annual nationwide successes, plus present awards to those who have assisted the Union:
PRUI Life Member – Stephen Barber
Indonesian Rugby Hall of Fame – Brian Huntley
2013 Coaches of the Year – Kyle Larson/ Chris Briggs
2013 Referee of the Year – Ari Yudha Pramono
2013 Spirit of Rugby ‘Volunteer’ Award – Vagi Vegaz Sarwom
2013 Jamie Wellington Rugby Excellence Award – Nick Mesritz
So to 2014, Indonesian Rugby plans to roll out a great new Rugby development initiative called Get Into Rugby (GIR) from the IRB. The goal is to promote GIR throughout all the Rugby-playing provinces of Indonesia. This worldwide program is designed to get young children and youths to “Try”, “Stay” and “Play” Rugby.
For more information on GIR, Indonesian Rugby Development news, and information on how to become an Indonesian Rugby sponsor in 2014, please contact Peter Klestov at:
PERSATUAN RUGBY UNION INDONESIA
c/- Kinara Building
Jl. Kemang Raya No.78B
Jakarta 12730
Indonesia
P. +62-21-719-4813 / M. +62-813-8138-0114
E. [email protected]
For online information about Indonesian Rugby and a schedule of events in 2014 please visit: http://indonesiarugbyunion.pitchero.com