By Luke Gaudois
I have been playing rugby since I was six years old and it’s been an integral part of my life so far. Friendships, memories, and values have all come from the time I’ve spent playing rugby, both in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Last school year I joined the CIS U19 Rugby team, and we competed in division two. We had a total of three players who had played rugby before and the rest were new to the sport. In the words of recently-graduated Kelvin Pan, “It was one of the best experiences, socially- and fitness-wise. The lads worked hard and we went from a team being 80% inexperienced to beating the sh*t out of AIS”. Joining the rugby team last year was genuinely one of the best decisions I have made during my first year at CIS.
Looking towards the future, I spoke with current sports administrator Tengku Darwiis and current U19 coach Mr Lee, both of whom discussed with me their connection to and aspirations for Rugby at CIS.
Tengku Darwiis: Sports Administrator
Why is rugby so important to you?
“Rugby’s significance to an individual can vary based on personal experiences, values, and interests. I have been playing rugby for the past 8-10 years and here are some reasons why rugby is important to me: Personal Connection, Sense of Community, Values and Culture, Physical and Mental Health, Entertainment and Enjoyment, Cultural or National Identity and Life Lessons. Like many sports, rugby teaches valuable life lessons such as resilience, leadership, and the ability to handle success and failure. These lessons can have a lasting impact on personal growth and development. Ultimately, the importance of rugby to me is subjective and depends on my experiences, values, and connections to the sport.”
What aspirations do you have for CIS rugby?
“Development of Rugby Infrastructure: Building and improving rugby facilities and training grounds to support the sport’s growth at all levels.
Increased Participation: Encouraging more individuals, especially grade 5 and above.
Competitive Success: Aspiring to succeed at ACSIS and international levels, with CIS teams performing well in regional and global rugby competitions.
Rugby Culture and Awareness: Promoting a solid rugby culture within CIS, fostering awareness and appreciation for the sport.
Player Development: Investing in player development programs, coaching initiatives, and talent identification to nurture skilled and competitive rugby players.
Inclusivity and Diversity: Striving to make rugby inclusive and diverse, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in and excel at the sport.
International and Local Collaboration: Engaging in collaborations and partnerships with other rugby-playing schools, organisations, and governing bodies to share knowledge, resources, and best practices.”
If you could give one piece of advice to players looking to start Rugby, what would that be?
“Rugby is a total team sport. If one fails, the whole team fails. So if you want a proper team sport, rugby is your choice.”
Mr. Lee: U19 Rugby Coach
When speaking with Mr. Lee about what rugby means to him and what rugby can be at CIS, one thing became abundantly clear: Rugby is more than a sport for Mr. Lee, and the growth of Rugby at CIS is focused on developing the values of rugby and instilling a positive culture for the school.
What is your personal connection to rugby?
Mr Lee went to a rugby school in his youth and began playing when he was 9. Despite being undersized, he still loved the sport and remained passionate about it. As he grew up, he began to get more involved. Despite switching to hockey at 16 he still played in the second team. Upon moving to New Zealand he started to get involved in rugby again due to gaining so much from the sport both on and off the field. Being personally inspired by the teachers at his school, he noted the respect between the players and the teachers and a communal atmosphere with everyone helping each other out.
How would you describe the culture surrounding rugby at CIS?
Last school year CIS graduate Bart Kock came to see Mr Lee about starting a rugby team at CIS during his senior year. During the session, Bart and the rest of the team ran the training sessions themselves and developed together as a team. Moving forward, Mr. Lee wishes to instill a sense of pride for rugby at CIS, centred around a commitment to the team, and living through the core values of rugby and the ACSIS competition. One key takeaway from the interview was the development of life skills through rugby.
What is your vision for rugby at CIS?
This year, CIS boasted 60 players ranging from U14 up to U19, a stark increase from the total of 14 players last year. As the sport continues to grow at CIS, Mr Lee looks to run strong teams across age groups with Touch Rugby being offered alongside Contact Rugby. He wishes for rugby to become a cultural essential at the school, with prospective students factoring rugby into the benefits of joining CIS. Mr Lee states that rugby is unique in being one of the sports where you can go from athlete to player. It is also an inclusive sport where, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be massive to play. Another key part of rugby at CIS that he wishes to focus on is the importance of senior players helping to coach the younger players, aiding in mentoring holistically, and building connections through rugby, which lasts beyond the sport.
To the student who reads this, I urge you to get involved in the sport be it through Touch or Contact Rugby. As the program continues to develop, your participation could be a formative part of your studies. This isn’t simply a call to play but a call to be involved in what I can confidently say is one of the strongest communities within CIS.