Jr. Volcanoes, sabak sa Asia Rugby tilt
SISIMULAN ng Under-19 Junior Volcanoes, itinataguyod ng First Pacific, MVP Sports Foundation at ng Philippine Sports Commission, ang kampanya sa 2018 Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship laban sa host host Thailand.
Haharapin ng Pinoy ang Thais ngayon sa BangBon Stadium sa Bangkok, habang mnagtututos ang China at Singapore sa unang laro.
Mapapalaban ang Philippines sa Division 1 series laban sa premyadong koponan sa Asya sa four-team meet.
Binubuo ang Junior Volcanoes ng mga players na may edad 17 hanggang 19 anyos at bahagi ng rugby development program na sinusuportahan ng MVP Sports Foundation. Puspusan ang naging pagsasanay ng batang Volcanoes para sa torneo, sa pangangasiwa ni Men’s National Coaches Stu Woodhouse at David Johnston.
“It’s always a much shorter and intense training camp for this group. Gathering talent from the Philippines and overseas has it’s challenges, especially with the timing of this program, however we know it’s always worth the investment. Having our senior quality coaches here helps their preparation and enables them to fast track their learning process ahead of the competition” pahayag ni Jake Letts, General Manager for Philippine Rugby.
Binuo ang U19s program ng Philippine Rugby Union noong 2006, at hindi matatawaran angresulta at naiiambag nito sa sports.
Kamakailan, apat na players sa Men’s 15s Championship ay nagmula sa U19s development program. Ang mga beterano ay sina Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate (class of 2006), Daniel Bembo Matthews, Ned Plarizan Stephenson at Ricky Alarcon Kucia (all class of 2008).
“This program has always played an important role for the development of our national programs. It enables our youth to have a platform to perform for the National Coaches and go on to represent the country at a senior level. I have seen a number of remarkable players come through, it’s an important program we want to continue and invest each year,” pahayag ni Letts.
Pambato ng Junior Volcanoes ang magkapatid na sina Jeromy at Manaia Zafra Cairns, both earning selection in the forward pack. Jeromy earning Team Captain this year. A debutant Tom Canon Coleman will be looking to impress further, after earning the Vice Captaincy role for the national team. At flyhalf, Matthew Imperial Davie will lead the team around the field with the assistance of Jason Bonilla Schirmer at fullback.