AFTER the excitement of the annual KRFC schools’ 7’s, the next tournament is the SRU-Canterbury Schools’ 10’s scheduled for the second weekend of August.

Immediately following this is the annual KRFC Song Thian Cheok Memorial 7’s. So it is going to be a good two weekends of rugby come August.

Invitations for the former have already been sent to schools throughout the state and the SRU are expecting to hear from them by next week or week after.

So far, two schools have confirmed — defending champions SMK Agama Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab (Shoaw) and Kolej DPAH Abdillah.

Hopefully, the others will try to make it to Kuching and the organisers are expecting a few to make their debut. The target is a minimum of 16 teams but the more, the merrier.

The SRU-Canterbury Schools’ 10’swas initiated to promote rugby in schools not just in Kuching and Samarahan Divisions but statewide to improve technical and tactical standards among the young players.

It is also to uncover new talents and coach them for the biennial Sukma and other age group tournaments, organised by the National Schools Sports Council.

The SRU has also requested the State Education Department to inform schools of the SRU-Canterbury Schools’ 10’s. More updates in the next few weeks.

I have also yet to get any feedback on the KRFC 7’s but I will have a pow wow on the Labuan 10’s with Club president Dick when he comes back from his jaunt up north in Labuan for this tournament this weekend.

The other upcoming big event is the Level One coaching course to be conducted by the MRU for school coaches or teachers-in-charge in Kuching from July 31 to August 3.

Invitations have also been sent to schools throughout the state.

The course is organised by the SRU to promote the game and improve playing standards at the school level.

At present, most of the coaches-teachers are doing their best for their players but limited by the lack of proper coaching methods and modules.

It has become evident over the years that these coaches-teachers have the commitment and enthusiasm but because they lack knowledge on the basics of the game, their charges often find a gulf between them and some of the schools whose coaches have attended coaching courses.

So hopefully, most, if not all of the schools invited, will try to send their coaches-teachers to the course as the opportunity does not come knocking every year.

In case there are other schools looking to include rugby in their curriculum and are interested in sending their coaches-teachers to the course, they can always contact me (013-8017700) or Mohd Ismawi Haji Noor (019-8187900).

Hopefully, after attending this course, the coaches-teachers will be better equipped to train their players, and next year, we will witness more schools giving the likes of Shoaw, Kolej, Teknik Sejingkat and MRSM a run for their money.

The game here is witnessing a revival as evidenced by the number of schools making their debuts over the last two years.

Two years ago, it was SMK Asajaya, SMK Ta’ee, and SMK Tebakang. Last year, it was SMK Kapit, SMK Meradong, SM Teknik Betong and SM Teknik Bintulu.

And this year it was SM Teknik Kuching, SMK Paku and Lodge.

At the U-15 Inter-School competition in Betong this year, a number of schools from Sri Aman and Betong Divisions were making their debuts such as SMK Beladin, SMK Saribas Debak and SMK DP Kedit. SMK Agama Sri Aman from Saratok also joined the fray for the first time.

Who knows which schools will follow suit next year?

With strong support from principals and better trained coach, these schools, I’m sure, will be encouraged to continue including the game in the curriculum.

Personally, it’s certainly a fillip to see so many schools taking up the game, yet it’s frustrating to see the gap in standards between the “new” and the “older” schools.

I do not fault these new players for their effort, commitment, and enthusiasm — they gave 100 per cent and more but always started on a handicap.

This is no fault of theirs or that of their coaches-teachers who have no one to turn to for assistance during training.

So hopefully, this Level One coaching course will help them better prepare their charges for future competitions.

In a HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division II match last Tuesday. Cambodia lost 0-33 to Laos. Today Indonesia will host Cambodia.

In the second match of the 2008 Sanzar Tri Nations series last Saturday, South Africa beat New Zealand 28-30 to snap the All Blacks’30-match winning streak.

Today, South Africa, buoyed by their victory, will take on the Wallabies in Australia.

I missed out one of the volunteers at Club’s schools’ 7’s – he’s Ron who assisted Dick with the time keeping and score.

Turn out last week was very poor with all present getting four matches of 7’s game. Where were the rest? There will be a game today for anyone who turns up at the field today.

Everyone is welcome, whether Club members or non-members, experienced, novice, locals or expatriates, after the pool matches, time and light permitting.

All that is needed are a pair of boots, stockings, and sturdy shorts as Club will be providing the jumpers. For those new to our lovely city, the field is located behind the Everrise supermarket along Padungan Road.

See you all at the field.