MIRI: Miri Division are in dire need of more coaches especially women for the development of rugby both as recreational and competitive sport.
According to the Miri Division Rugby Union (MDRU) development officer Sylvia Alexander Lian, currently there are only less than 20 coaches and of whom only four are women.
“But there are only very few active ones or full-time coaches. As for the women, only myself is considered the most experienced one, the other three were only recently trained.
Our ultimate target is also to get more girls to play and form a strong rugby squad for Sarawak.
“Currently the bulk of the players are from Miri,” Sylvia told The Borneo Post yesterday.
To produce more rugby match officials or referees in Sarawak especially in Miri, MDRU will be organising the IRB (International Rugby Board) Match Official Level 1 course on Feb 8-9 at the Youth Centre (Pusat Belia KPS) in Miri from 8 am to 4pm.
“We are targeting 10 to 15 school teachers and senior players so that more games can be organised in the future for schools and club levels,” she said, adding that IRB Educators from Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU) will be conducting the course.
Participation is open to all in Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and even Brunei.
Registration fee is RM100 per pax and the closing date is Feb 2.
Further details are obtainable from Sylvia who can also be reached at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or telephone number 012-8774927, MDRU chief coach Landale Cranfield at 085-453983 and 012-8775159 or Bunyamin Matnor (MDRU Treasurer) at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Meanwhile on Feb 9 there will also be free course on “Get Into Rugby” (GIR) also at Pusat Belia KPS from 4pm to 6pm.
“The purpose is to educate coaches, teachers and parents on how to get kids involved in rugby and also to change the perception of public and kids and to get more young kids to be active in sports and discipline,” said Sylvia who is also a state rugby player.
They hoped to attract not less than 20 participants and participants can also register on the spot.