In accordance to the upcoming Asia Rugby Championship (Division 3 East), which will take place in Brunei from the 6th of May to the 12th of May.
President of Asia Rugby Aga Hussain paid a 3-day visit to the Abode of Peace from March 18 – 20 to attend a meeting with the officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Brunei Darussalam with an aim to improve and flourish Brunei Rugby. It was mentioned that Brunei Rugby is heading in the right direction. However, there are still a few areas that need to be worked on such as the promotion of women’s rugby amongst others. In addition to that, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports have also shown interest towards the idea of Brunei hosting more international rugby games.
From Left: BRFU President, Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, iRB Special Project Manager, Director of Sports and Ainol Razman Ghazaly
BRUNEI now has a pool of 12 International Rugby Board (IRB) Level 1 Match Officials after a dozen club and national players attended the country’s first ever Match Official Course on Friday.
The participants were from local clubs Belait Pythons, Bandar Blacks and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Sharks, with the one-day course taking place at the Jerudong International School (JIS) and conducted by Matthew Oakley, a qualified IRB rugby educator.
The Sultanate only had two referees prior to yesterday’s course, so understandably, Oakley felt the course was a step in the right direction.
“Brunei is starting from ground zero in terms of developing officials but the sport can only grow if there are willing and competent referees,” said Oakley in an interview yesterday.
“There was a lot of law discussion but it was also very much a hands on, practical course, where we had role plays with the participants acting as referees and players,” he added.
“Rugby is growing in Brunei (and) we need more match officials to officiate school and club matches in our domestic league,” said Brunei Rugby Football Union’s (BRFU) president Dr Hj Kamaruddin Dato Paduka Hj Talib.
Oakley is also in the country to audit BRFU’s application to become an IRB associate member. Among the criteria for IRB associate membership include a four-club league, good governing body and education programmes.
“We have been a member of the Asian Rugby Football Union … and now we believe we are ready to become a member of IRB,” said Dr Hj Kamaruddin.
Oakley and Dr Hj Kamaruddin spent yesterday morning in a meeting with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah yesterday, a courtesy call to brief the minister on what IRB and BRFU are doing for Brunei rugby.
“Matthew offered IRB’s assistance in whatever way they can and he briefed the minister on what the union is doing to get associate membership,” said Dr Hj Kamaruddin
“We have to enhance our capabilities with the resources we have and we hope the ministry will continue to be forthcoming with more resources,” he added.
Dr Hj Kamaruddin said that Pehin Dato Hj Hazair had several suggestions for BRFU, including that rugby be included in future editions of the Borneo Games, the introduction of a rugby tournament for Sixth Form schools in the country and possible areas of cooperation with the Sabah Rugby Academy in Sandakan, Sabah.
He was also open to the idea of BRFU having its own rugby facility in the not too distant future.
“It would be a major achievement if Brunei was to have its own home for rugby,” noted Oakley.
THE Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) has added some new plans for the near future.Several national rugby players that recently participated in the HSBC A5N and ARFU (Asia Rugby Football Union) U20 Sevens made a visit to Pusat Ehsan in Bengkurong yesterday.
The joint-programme by TOTAL E&P Borneo BV and BRFU, will see the visits done fortnightly as they help build the motor skills of the pupils by using basic rugby movements such as catching and throwing.
Forming a wheelchair rugby team in the near future and being able to participate in the Paralympics is one of the visions for the BRFU.
Ainol Razman Mohd Ghazaly, BRFU Director of International Relations, is looking at the positive side and is hoping things will progress in the right direction.
“This is only the start and we are working from the ground level. There are only three countries in Asia China, Japan and Korea that have wheelchair rugby teams in the Paralympics,” said Ainol Razman in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
“We will start off slowly and not force anything. We want to share the game that we love with the disabled. We are looking to build interest first and see where we can go from there before seeking support from the ministry,” he added.
Considering that the BRFU is relatively new, having been setup only in 2004, they are also looking at building the sport in the country.
“After seeing the pupils at the centre, we didn’t want this to be a one off thing. We will get the national players involved to help teach them,” said Ainol Razman.
“We want to sell the game in a different sense. These players will act as role models for the sport and we want to continue building the rugby community whether it being as a player or a spectator,” he added.
“We also hope to show the core values of rugby such as teamwork, passion and integrity whether it is on or off the field to these upcoming players,” continued Ainol Razman.
Other centres which are interested in the programme can call Ainol at 8886970 or email at ainolrazman@gmail.com for more information.
Jerudong International School (JIS) and Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) successfully organized the first Match Official Course at JIS on the 7th September 2012.
The course was conducted by Mr. Matthew Oakley, a qualified Rugby Educator from the International Rugby Board (iRB). Twelve participants attended the course, and are now qualified to become iRB Level 1 Match Officials.
Mr. Matthew Oakley sitting in the middle with the participants of the Rugby Match Official Course at JIS on 7th September 2012.
Mr. Oakley is also here to audit BRFU application to become an Associate Member of iRB. “We have been the member of Asian Rugby Football Union, the regional body for rugby, and now we believe we are ready to become a member of iRB, the world governing body of Rugby” explained Dr. Haji Kamaruddin bin Dato’ Paduka Haji Talib.
“Rugby is growing in Brunei, we need more match officials to officiate school and club matches in our domestic league. With this course, we have increase the number of match officials from 2 to 12, which is a good sign.” He added. BRFU is committed in its mission to promote rugby in a big way, working towards its 10 year long term development plan.
It has established smart partnership programmes with Total E&P Borneo B.V, Halliburton, QoS, Baiduri Bank, Anti Narcotics Bureau CfBT and Pusat Ehsan. “We would like to add a more Smart Partnership Programmes with other organizations, our next discussion will be with JIS. We want rugby players in Brunei to be Champions and role models in Brunei Darussalam. We will work very hard to implement our aim” said the BRFU President.
Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) is in search of talented rugby match officials that will carry Brunei flag at International Rugby Test Matches. In order to do so, BRFU will be conducting its first iRB Level 1 Match Official Course in Brunei.
The course will be conducted by Mr. Matthew Oakley, from iRB on the 7th September 2012 at Jerudong International School (JIS) from 9 am – 6 pm.
“Rugby started in Rugby School in England and Rugby is the premier Sport in Premier Schools around the world, we would like to maintain this tradition, and this is why we would like to make JIS The Centre of Rugby Excellence in Brunei” said Dr. Haji Kamaruddin bin Dato’ Paduka Haji Talib, when ask why JIS was chosen as the venue for the Course. “Furthermore, it has all the facilities needed to conduct such course” he added.
Level 1 Match official course is the starting point for one to become an official for Test Matches. To become an official for Test Matches, match official needs to sit for 2 other courses, which is level 2 and 3. Once a match official passes its level 3 course, he will be in demand to officiate International Test Matches around the World.
Bruneian has a chance to officiate International test matches once they reach level 3 because of their command of English Language. To be a Rugby match official, one needs to be fit, hawk eye’s vision, good communication skills and commanding. This course is open for all, however limited there will be limited places available. It is free and lunch and refreshment will be provided.
For those who are interested to attend this course, please contact Ainol Razman Mohd Ghazaly at ainolrazman@gmail.com or call +673 888 6970
BRFU would like to thank Total E&P Borneo B.V and Jerudong International School for their contribution in conducting this course in Brunei.
We thank the support of our sponsors, partners, players, and everyone who made this possible. The U20 Boys are now playing in Johor Bahru, Malaysia for the ARFU U20 Sevens Championship while the A5N squad will be off this Sunday to Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the HSBC A5N Division 5 Tournament.
We give thanks to Total E&P Borneo B.V., Halliburton, QoS, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for helping our teams to go partake for our big year in Brunei Rugby.
“These are exciting times for Brunei rugby players with the National Senior Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU), squad competing in the 15 a-side Division 5 of the Asian 5Nations Championships (A5N) in Cambodia and the BRFU National U20 7 a-side squad competing in the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) U20 7’s Championships in Malaysia from 22nd to 25th June.”
“BRFU is very grateful to Total E&P Borneo B.V., Halliburton, QoS, Ministry of Education and Ministry of culture Youth and Sports for their extremely generous support which has ensured the U20’s participation in their championships and that the National Senior Squad’s preparations for A5N have been better than ever.”
“Brunei resumes its quest to become A5N Division 5 Champions after a one year hiatus when BRFU took up ARFU’s offer to use the funding earmarked for participation in A5N for development of the game in Brunei instead. This has proved an excellent decision as with additional funds from BRFU’s partners; Total E&P Borneo B.V., Halliburton, QoS, Ministry of Education and Ministry of culture Youth and Sports, BRFU has introduced a systematic youth development programme into a number of local schools supported by the Ministry of Education’s Co-Curricular Department and teachers from the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT) who have given freely of their time to coach the youngsters and supported a rugby Fun Day in March which marked the beginning of the formation of the U20 7’s squad. This funding has also enabled BRFU to successfully run its domestic league and international 7 a-side squads over the past year.”
“The BRFU squad leaves for Phnom Penh on Sunday 24th of June to resume old rivalries against their hosts Cambodia on 26th June and Laos on 28th June before returning to Brunei on 29th June. The squad has been training hard for the last few of weeks and are determined to achieve a clean sweep after beating Cambodia but losing to a Laos team containing a number of experienced expatriate players forming the spine of their team in the last encounter between the two sides two years ago. Under International Rugby board regulations players are eligible to play for the country in which they live as long as they have completed three years residence. However, wherever possible it is BRFU’s policy to select native Bruneians and the Brunei squad only contains players who qualify by residence.”
At the same time as the Brunei senior squad embark on their adventure, the U20’s 7’s squad will be playing in the “ARFU U20 7’s Championship in Johor Baru, Malaysia. Competing against squads from many of Asia’s leading rugby nations including Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, China, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Uzbekistan, the Brunei boys hope to give a good account of themselves in what will be a steep learning curve in top Asian international rugby. The squad has made significant progress since they started training in early April. However it seems that one fly in the ointment may be that despite the excellent support the MOE in the national cause in releasing Mr Hans Hickey who has been coaching the squad voluntarily in his free time,”
“BRFU believes the co-operation and support of the Ministries of Education and Culture Youth and Sport for BRFU’s programme together with the financial support of BRFU’s commercial partners Total E&P Borneo B.V., Halliburton and QoS and the technical support of Ministry of Education and Ministry of culture Youth and Sports have marked a new chapter in the development of rugby in Brunei and provided a model for the government and private sector to continue to work together to grow and progress the sport in Brunei in the future. In the meantime,
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”
U20 7s team
Castello anak Frederick Selos
Jack Francis Pullan
Christopher James Abraham
Muhammad Hafez Haslen
Md Azizan b Hj Zainal Abidin
Md Aliuddin bin Awang Timbang
Md Asanuddin bin Awang Timbang
Benjamin James Goy
Foliga Mondia
Muhd Fahmi Hanafi bin Hj Mamit
Mohammad Faris Izuddin bin Dr Hj Supry
Muhammad bin Hj Kamit
Muhd Farhan bin Hamdani
Owen Martin (Manager)
Johannas Hickey (Head Coach)
Allan Robertson (Physio)
Brunei XV Squad
Iqbal Dato Haji Selamat
Hj Mohd Azmiee Hj Mohd Sunnylai
Reynold Anak Balaja
Lim Chee Chang
Awangku Mohammad Naqiuddin bin Pengiran Mohammad Ali
Muhammad Redha bin Haji Adinin
Muhd Ali Nuurul Saffuan bin Muhd Ali
Md Azahar bin Hj Timbang
Muhammad Ziyad bin Haji Ramlee
Petrus Anak Tuan
Hj Muhd Firdaus Hj Razali
Halil Wakiyuddin bin Kamis
Ronny Anak Tarang
Mohammad Isa bin Haji Mohamad
Lim Shen Quan
Syahwal Nizam bin Haji Yani
Awg Muhd Arif bin Awg Hashim
Mike Potii Faatahe
Abdul Halim bin Ali
Mohd Khairul Anuar bin Awang Hj Matusin
Tajul Barakat bin Haji Abd. Latip
Augustin Asson Anak Mulok
Muhammad Fahmi bin Mahusin
Awangku Muhammad Mu’izuddin bin Pengiran Ismail
Ainol Razman bin Mohd Ghazaly (Manager)
Julian Edward Penstone (Head Coach)
Muhammad Khalil Hazazi bin Abdul Latif (Asst Manager)
Thus ends the Brunei Senior League Rugby Tournament of 2012 with the KB Pythons emerging Champions of the Darussalam Cup again in the spectacular final! The Bandar Blacks come in 2nd Place while the UBD Sharks came in 3rd Placing. We thank everyone for supporting Rugby here in Brunei.
To comment on this year’s rugby, despite having 3 Clubs participating, we saw how each of them are readily eager to win the Cup this year. From the ferocious display of Rugby playing from the Blacks, the Sharks progressing with iron will, and the Pythons, despite rough beginnings, did not surrender. This is one tournament to remember in the following years.
But it does not stop here. Our boys are probably either resting up after 12 weeks of hard competition or training early to be ready for the next tournaments to come.
Our National Squads will now be readying themselves for their upcoming tournaments with the U20 Squad leaving for Johor Bahru to partake in the ARFU sevens while the Senior National Team will leave for the HSBC A5N Division 5 Tournament in Phnom Penh. We wish them luck!
See more photos of the Finals at faiqairudin.com, Courtesy of Faiq Airudin HERE:
Kids are the future rugby. Rugby, to most, is a great lesson to learn in building character. It carries values like respect, integrity, and discipline that one would say in most rugby players today. The Rugby Roadshow last saturday is a step for the Union to show these kids how Rugby is not only a fun sport, but a sport that will teach them almost everything to be ready for.
The Union announced a Press Release last Friday on the upcoming Darussalam Cup Finals which hosted the KB Pythons against the Bandar Blacks and a brief overview of the plan for the BRFU to progress in the future. This includes the plan to register Brunei as a member of the IRB which will bring great prospects in the development of the sport here at home.
Brunei Rugby Online 