Rugby in schools all set for NRDP boost
KUCHING: School rugby giants SMK Agama Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab ( Shoaw) and Kolej Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah are excited with the implementation of the National Rugby Development Programme (NRDP) in Sarawak.
Under the programme launched on Oct 22 last year, the two schools have been named the high performance schools which will serve as centres of development in the state. Five other schools MRSM Kuching, SM Sains Kuching, SMK Muara Tuang, SK Kampung Empila and SK St Joseph were also included in the NRDP.
“I am so thankful, flattered and
The NRDP will definitely be a great boost to the development of rugby in schools in the country.
honoured with the appointment of SMKA Shoaw as a high performance school for rugby under the NRDP in Sarawak.
“I feel happy for the Shoaw Warriors and the Old Boys who are mostly playing for Warriors Old Boys Rugby Club,” said Shoaw head coach Zulkarnainhisham Sarbini.
He believed that this appointment by NRDP is based on Shoaw’s development, involvement and achievements in rugby at state, national and international levels since they were first established as a team and club in 2000.
“The NRDP will definitely be a great boost to the development of rugby in schools in the country.
“Shoaw needs to add and upgrade the training facilities and also participate in more high-level tournaments in order to improve further. Now we are looking forward to a better year ahead of us,” he added.
Zulkarnainhisham also believed that his school can improve at a faster rate with the support of NRDP.
“The main focus now is to strengthen the rugby culture in our school and create a better awareness of how we want to improve in terms of training, matches and tournaments.
“As our motto says: Pray, Study, Play Rugby,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kolej Abdillah head coach Zamzy Abdul Rahman was also thankful to the Sarawak Education Department and Sarawak Rugby Union because of their inclusion in the NRDP.
“I believe this programme will benefit all schools involved in rugby because there will be more tournaments, coaching and refereeing courses for teachers and we will produce more quality players.
“We want to have more players like Shapiq Afiq Saini and Christopher Joshua ( Kolej Abdillah) Hamizan (SMK Asajaya) andSamuelRentap(SMKStJoseph) who have represented Malaysia in international tournaments,” he said. “We actually have a lot of talents in our side but we lack exposure and tournaments.
“Hopefully NRDP will liaise with SRU and Sarawak Education Department to overcome this matter and hopefully we will have more tournaments in our local grounds,” he added.
He believed this programme will not just benefit Kolej Abdillah but also help to increase the quantity and quality of players and schools playing the game in Sarawak.
According to MRSM Kuching head coach Vincent Nelos, NRDP will serve as a platform for the school rugby players to show their potential at the highest level.
“Through this programme, more talented young players can be identified and it is indeed a big boost to the development of rugby especially in schools in Sarawak,” he noted.
Zulkarnainhisham Sarbini, Shoaw head coach