Opinion: It’s time for Filipinos to embrace rugby

MANILA, Philippines — Rugby is a game only for bulked up crazy Brits and Aussies! The Philippines can never succeed in this sport and it will never be popular here in the Philippines.

Agree? Well, think again!

The International Rugby Board (IRB), the sport’s world governing body, had this to say about the Philippines: “With consecutive promotions in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations, and sporting an all-Filipino team, the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) offers tangible proof that nothing is impossible.”

Wow!

Here are the facts. The Philippines is ranked 56th in the world. They compete with Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and the UAE in the elite division of Asian rugby. In the faster, free flowing form of the game (Rugby Sevens) they have qualified for the World Cup as one of 3 teams from Asia. Within the country there are local leagues for men and women, junior competitions involving universities and schools, and grassroots development programs throughout regional areas.

And what an amazing journey rugby has enjoyed here since the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU)’s inception in 1999. Back then the Nomads Club, the spiritual home of Philippine rugby, was the only place to see expats running around with an egg-shaped ball in between weird looking goal posts. Now visit the PRFU website and view the league highlights on their Facebook page and see for yourself that Filipinos are embracing this game.

Model nation

The transformation has been so incredible that the IRB put forward the Philippines as the model nation for development at the 2009 World Congress. Much of the credit is due to the pioneering manager of the PRFU, Matt Cullen, a one time player, coach and manager of the national team.

As a high energy, one-man show, Cullen built the organization from nothing with the support of die-hard rugby fans that owned local business. The introduction of corporate savvy Board members such as Alvin San Diego (ex-President) and Peter Lawrence (ex-CFO) enabled the PRFU to secure the big sponsorship dollars from powerful companies such as Bench and Globe.

The Volcanoes were now on billboards and the rest is history!

The Philippines should count itself lucky to be part of this amazing game, a true global fraternity. With its beginnings at an English school in 1823, rugby has prospered to include millions of registered players spread across the 118 member countries of the IRB. The Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event behind the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in football.

Having played or coached in six different countries over four different continents, I, for one, can vouch for the fact that rugby is a sport like no other.

From a local game in Las Vegas to a professional fixture in Sydney, the traditions of the game are always kept intact. Play hard on the field, walk off and congratulate your opponents, stay after the game and have a few drinks and a meal with friend and foe. Go to any place in the world, find a rugby club and instantly you will make lifelong friends. 

Embracing rugby

It’s time for Filipinos to embrace different sports.

We can learn so much, particularly from rugby. The IRB’s playing charter states, “It is through discipline, control and mutual respect that the spirit of the game flourishes and, in the context of a game as physically challenging as rugby, these are the qualities which forge the fellowship and sense of fair play so essential to the game’s ongoing success and survival.”

Filipinos playing this game have already learnt these lessons. Now let’s spread the message.

Actually, it’s time for Filipinos to engage in more physical activity in general. Put down the iPad and karaoke machine and instead put on some training gear. Look for an avenue to play a team sport. It is through this environment where you experience that discipline, control and mutual respect that the IRB speaks about. You grow in resilience, you rise to meet challenges, and you keep going in order to fight for the others.

We need a new breed of Filipino.

A less overly sensitive, emotionally pampered Filipino to one that is more direct, hardened and goal driven. My solution? More physical activity, more sport! Recently, a Vice President of a large firm here in Manila told me he couldn’t promote managers from the rank and file of the company as all lacked leadership qualities. The firm targeted Filipinos from abroad noticing a strong correlation between strong character and a sporting background.

‘We just need the right environment’

Unfortunately, we lack the infrastructure here in order for sport to make a significant impact.

With better facilities, sport can become a real school of teaching virtue. It’s time for government agencies, sporting bodies and private enterprise to stop feuding and to collaborate in restoring the nation’s sporting pride. In the history of the Olympics we have only managed 9 medals, while New Zealand has 102 with a population 20 times smaller.

We are as talented and athletic as anyone on the planet, we just need the right environment.

Other sports can learn from the story of the Volcanoes. Nothing is impossible! All sports can achieve the success and recognition that the PRFU enjoys. Admittedly the vast majority of the team was born and raised in countries with a stronger sporting culture. It’s a story not too dissimilar to the Azkals. But let’s not criticize that by branding those teams as ‘un-Filipino.’ Instead, let’s take pride in their achievements and work towards bridging the gap so that one day our homegrown athletes end up being world beaters.

The mission of the PRFU is, “to make rugby a recognized and popular sport in the Philippines played by Filipinos.” They are serious about their mission. With the recent appointments of Juan Englebrecht and Nikki Lira as full-time Development managers, the PRFU is certainly having an impact on the fitness and well-being of those participating.

There is a program for all levels from the beginners at the Rugby 101 sessions to the seasoned veteran playing in the national league. Do yourself a favor and get physically active. Why not give rugby a go or any sport for that matter?

Your body will complain at first but will certainly say thank you later. Remember, nothing is impossible. – Rappler.com

Expo Mejia is a former national head coach of the Philippine Volcanoes rugby team (2000-02). Born in Manila and raised in Australia, Expo played and coached in Sydney before moving on to other coaching positions in Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Expo has a wide sporting background and has a passion for the outdoor life. He speaks and writes frequently on health and fitness issues.