State-of-the-art rugby academy unveiled in Sandakan
SANDAKAN: Eagles Rugby Club (ERC) in Sandakan have reached a milestone by being the first rugby club in Asia to have a complete sports complex with up-to-date facilities.
They have a beautiful field with floodlights to organise world-class tournaments and also a high performance fitness centre located within the Eagles Sports Arena Complex, complete with state- of- the- art cross-training equipment.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ERC and rugby Sevens legend coach Sir Gordon Tietjens yesterday during the launch of the Sir Gordon Tietjens Eagles Rugby Academy here.
The 62- year- old Tietjens has coached the New Zealand Sevens team for 22 years and guided them to win many titles in the world.
Vela Tan, the president of Eagles Rugby Club and also Sabah Rugby Union said Tietjens is a living rugby legend and considered to be one of the finest coaches of any sport in the world.
“And it is a distinct honour for us to host him at our club,” said Vela.
“We are confident that our decision to link up with Tietjens will help lift the game to new heights not just in Sandakan, Sabah and Malaysia but even further afield.
“We believe that it is a golden opportunity for us to harness his in-depth knowledge and expertise and maximise use of such knowledge for the good of the game here and elsewhere,” said Vela.
He said this Academy will address the need to develop and improve the knowledge of the game among coaches, officials and others involved in the game of rugby.
Vela is also the deputy president of Malaysia Rugby and an exco member of the Asia Rugby in charge of rugby development in Asia.
Tietjens, who is now the head coach of the Samoan Sevens team, said he is delighted to have an academy named after him.
“It is an honour to me and would contribute my services to further develop rugby Sevens in Asia. I am impressed with the facilities at ERC.
“I believe ERC are on the right path to develop rugby not only in Malaysia but also in Asia.
“It is just matter of time that the Asian teams will be able to give a strong challenge to stronger teams in the world,” said Tietjens.
Among those present were Asia Rugby president Aga Hussain, Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) president Datuk James Wong, Asia Rugby general manager Ross Mitchell and the National Sports Institute (NSI) East Malaysia Committee Chairman Dr KH Tan.
Aga who gave the thumbs up to ERC for having a complete rugby complex, said there are no other rugby club in the world that have such a fantastic facilities.
“I am happy and proud of Vela Tan and his committee for excellent job. It is a land mark for ERC,” said Aga.