 Newly appointed PRFU Head of Operations & Strategy, Vince Davo. by Mark Villamora
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) proudly announces the appointment of Vincent “Vince” Thomas Davo as the new Head of Operations and Strategy (HOS). Vince Davo, the new PRFU HOS, will be responsible for overseeing finances, staff, and events, as well as planning initiatives and managing stakeholder relationships to maintain the growing community of Philippine Rugby. The new PRFU Head of Operations & Strategy Vince Davo holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Quantic School of Business and Technology in Washington, D.C., United States, and a Lean Sigma Six Black Belt of Six Sigma Academy Amsterdam in the Netherlands, both exhibiting the expertise in operations and strategic planning that the PRFU is looking for. Through his community involvement with various government sectors and his interest in developing sports, Vince discovered the PRFU and wanted to share his experiences, particularly in developing Rugby within communities. “With my background in project management and quality improvement, I aim to streamline operations, enhance training programs, and foster stronger relationships within the Rugby community. Philippine Rugby can look forward to innovative strategies to increase community engagement and enhance program effectiveness,” said the newly appointed HOS, Vince Davo. The PRFU believes that Vince Davo’s wealth of experiences will further expand the Rugby’s reach and impact throughout the country, “We’re very happy to have Vince on board. His experience and streamline efficiency approach are exactly what we need to take Rugby in the Philippines to the next level,” said PRFU President, Ada Milby. With Vince Davo leading the operations and strategy, the PRFU is more committed in taking further steps to make Rugby a known and prominent sport in the Philippines. About Philippine Rugby Football Union The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines. For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]  Newly Appointed Head Coach: Samantha Scott (Feausi) Manila, Philippines - After an extensive search process spanning over a month, the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) proudly announces the appointment of Samantha Scott (Feausi) as the Head Coach of the Philippine Volcanoes Women's 7s Team. With a rich background in coaching, sports administration & management, and a distinguished playing career, Samantha Scott brings a wealth of experience and expertise to lead the national women's rugby program.  Scott delivering a World Rugby Level 2 Coaching 7s Course in Manila post-pandemic Samantha Scott boasts an impressive professional journey spanning two decades in the areas of Sports Development, Sports Management, and Education. Her distinguished career includes over 14 years of playing at the international level, during which she captained the Hong Kong, China 7s National Team. Furthermore, her coaching experience is equally remarkable, having served in various coaching roles with distinction in the Hong Kong China Rugby Union Development and Elite Performance programs.  Scott at the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) With her Philippine roots tracing from Camarines Sur in the Bicol region of the Philippines, Samantha Scott's appointment holds special significance as she reconnects with her Philippine heritage. She expresses her eagerness to impart her knowledge and skills to the women's team, fueling their growth and success on the international stage. "When this opportunity with Philippine[s] Rugby came up, it was the perfect mesh of two aspects I am very passionate about – rugby and my family roots in the Philippines. Having been involved in the game for over 20 years as an international player and coach, I am passionate about spreading my knowledge and empowering players. I feel very honored to be chosen for the role, as I watched how hard the Philippines Volcanoes team have worked to be where they are now and have a strong belief and vision for the team's potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. Laban Pilipinas!", shares Scott. Samantha Scott's first major challenge as the Head Coach will be leading the Philippine Volcanoes Women's 7s Team at the upcoming Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy, scheduled from October 4 to 6, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal. With her leadership, the team aims to make a strong statement and compete for the trophy.
The PRFU extends its warmest congratulations to Samantha and expresses confidence in her ability to elevate the women's rugby program to new heights. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the women's rugby National Teams program in the Philippines. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected] Follow us on @philippinerugby for updates and insights on Philippine rugby.
The Philippine Rugby Football Union Inc. (PRFU) announces the resignation of its Treasurer Gareth Holgate from the Board of Trustees, creating a vacancy that has been promptly filled through new appointments.
The PRFU Board of Trustees has appointed Chris Moriarty, CEO and founder of Flat Planet, as a new trustee. Chris is a strong believer in the important role sports can play in any community, particularly in building a healthy and constructive team-oriented outlook and mentality, as well as fostering a sense of belonging to a 'greater' self for players. "I'm thrilled to join the PRFU board and bring my passion for sports and community building into play. Sports has a transformative power. It provides equal access to opportunity, creates pathways for development, unites people and aside from making one healthy, sports also makes you accountable and transparent. I'm eager to use my experience in business and my love for the game to help rugby thrive in the Philippines, creating opportunities for personal growth and community engagement," Chris said. Additionally, the board has appointed Monica Araneta Tiosejo as an Ex-officio member. With a career rooted in nonprofit management, fundraising, and media, Monica embodies a commitment to driving positive change and fostering community engagement. She brings a wealth of experience and a steadfast dedication to supporting the organization's mission and vision. "I am honored to join the Philippine Rugby Football Union's board, where I aim to bridge my passion for community and cultural engagement with my expertise in fundraising and media relations,” Monica said. “ I am committed to propelling our beloved sport into the hearts and homes of Filipinos nationwide, making rugby a recognized and cherished part of our national identity." Ada Milby, PRFU President extended her gratitude to outgoing Treasurer Gareth Holgate and welcomed Chris and Monica to the Board. "Their expertise and commitment to rugby will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to grow the sport in the Philippines," Ada added. The PRFU remains committed to fostering a vibrant rugby community and looks forward to the positive impact these new appointments will bring.  The PRFU Rising Moms in the 2024 SEA 7s: Kate Palis, Sylvia Tudoc, and Eloisa ‘Loi’ Toling Jordan. By Mark Villamora JURONG WEST, Singapore - Three emerging mothers represented the Philippines in the recently concluded South East Asian (SEA) 7s on May 2-3. The Philippine Risings Stars, the development team of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), including rising moms #5 Eloisa Toling Jordan, #9 Sylvia Tudoc, and #11Kate Palis, are among the mothers from PRFU’s development team who claimed their spot to compete in Singapore. A mother from home to the field A Filipina raised in Hong Kong, who decided to stay in the Philippines to develop its local rugby community, was never satisfied. Kate Palis continued giving pride to her roots by raising the flag once more, this time at the SEA 7s. This rising mom has been training with her partner for the Singapore (SEA 7s) Rugby tournament, just about two months after giving birth to her son. The months of training, as well as the tournament itself, posed a challenge to both parents as they had to alternate shifts in taking care of their child while also competing as players. With no other option, they brought their son on his first trip abroad and be with them while competing in the Sevens.  Kate Palis and her son right after the SEA7s Game versus Singapore. However, there is no doubt to whom this rising mom learned to be a mother. Kate’s mother also flew to Singapore to help the couple to take care of their son, allowing them to focus on their match. “Couldn't have done it without my mom, she flew over to look after [Leo] him. And during our downtimes we went to spend time with them. Also with the help of the PRFU for helping us get Leo on the same flight,” said Kate Palis. A mother’s care doesn't truly cease, even when her child becomes a mother themselves. For Kate, her son's well-being remains her foremost priority, yet her dream of once again competing in the Asia 7s or representing the Volcanoes Team in the SEA Games persists. Defying limits as Rugby Mom Being a mother and an athlete simultaneously was never an easy path for Sylvia Tudoc, as she had to prioritize her maternal duties before attending training sessions. With her partner also representing the country in the SEA 7s, leaving her 3-year-old son and enduring hours of travel from her hometown to the Philippine Sports Commision (PSC) Ultra just to train is a major dilemma they have to face. This rising mom would have divided herself if she could, yet despite the struggle to manage her time as a mom and as an athlete, she still endures everything to represent the PH Flag. “I'm struggling to manage my time to prepare all my son's needs before leaving him at home and since I live a bit far I also need to leave early so I can ride and go with my partner going to his work,” said Sylvia Tudoc. Sylvia Tudoc has been playing for Philippine Rugby for a decade, and actively training for the team has also become her way to regain the shape she had before becoming a mom.  Sylvia Tudoc with her son during the 2022 Globe 7s Series Finale. Photo by Philippine Rugby. For her, being a mom comes first before anything else. But as long as her body can play, she will continue to train and give pride to her country’s flag. The sole rising single mom If a mother of an infant and a toddler manage to make it to Singapore, the Rising Star’s prop, Eloisa ‘Loi’ Toling Jordan, is even raising her two children alone. Despite having grown-up children aged 15 and 8 years old, they are always on her mind whenever she might have to leave them for days to compete in a tournament. As a single mother, she shoulders the responsibility of being both a mom and dad for her children, never wanting to miss any moments of their lives. When asked of her struggles as one of the moms who competed in the SEA 7s, Loi Jordan mentioned, “Being away from my kids, of course, especially as a single mom with no co-parent to attend them [my children] while I'm away and that I would miss some important milestones that would happen during my time away from a tournament.”  Loi Jordan having quality time with her son and daughter. These rising moms Kate Palis, Sylvia Tudoc, and Loi Jordan are among the athlete moms who demonstrate that no one loves like a Filipina mom. Whether it’s on the field, before the game, or even in the tournament itself, their motherhood never takes a backseat while they pursue their dreams as players. To more opportunities to athlete moms PRFU President, Ada Milby, is taking significant steps to provide more opportunities to the athlete moms of Philippine Rugby. As a mother herself who competed in the 2015 SEA Games while breastfeeding her second daughter between games, she believes that these athlete moms are never far from her struggles. But more than the struggles that an athlete faces in motherhood, for Ada, her children have made her a better athlete. “Having kids helped bring out my softer side. I've always been ambitious and driven and having kids has helped me to also appreciate the journey, not just the destination,” said PRFU President, Ada Milby.  PRFU President Ada Milby, with her two daughters named after a moon and star, Lona and Tala. Ada Milby 's contributions to the growth of women’s rugby in Asia had led her to be elected as one of the first representatives from Asia to become an executive committee member of World Rugby. As long as she leads the Philippine Rugby Football Union, she will continue to welcome athlete moms into Philippine Rugby. “Encouraging environments that support players to be an athlete and a mother… is one way to support this. Also, reminding players [athlete moms] that they are welcome to come back when they are ready,” shares Ada Milby. About Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines. For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]  By Mark Villamora JURONG WEST, Singapore - The Philippine Rising Stars, the development team of Philippine Rugby Football Union’s (PRFU) National Teams program, concluded their SEA 7s Tournament, securing 5th place for both men’s and women’s teams. These are amateur national athletes selected from the PRFU’s High-Performance Program 7s (HPP 7s). The program aims to develops local-based players to hone their skills through exposure to high-level matches across Southeast Asia. The Rising Stars team is composed of 24 local-based heritage men’s and women’s players from the different grassroots programs of Philippine Rugby, namely Universities (UMak & QCPU), Schools (British School Manila), Foundations (Tuloy sa Don Bosco & Bahay Bata), Regional (Visayas and Mindanao Rugby), and the Club systems. Seven players were from the University of Makati, 3 players were from Quezon City Polytechnic University, 2 players were from Tuloy sa Don Bosco foundation, 1 player was from Bahay Bata Foundation, 1 player from the British School Manila, 2 players were from Cebu regional program, and 8 players were selected from the Clubs systems. These athletes have been training in the NCR since February, balancing their work, parental responsibilities, and enduring hours of travel just to get to training.  Hamish Flores Seddon running forward while being tackled by Laos. Photos by Gozar Images. The men’s team finished the competition in 5th place, beating Laos and Singapore in 40-7 and 19-7 lead respectively. Hamish Flores Seddon paced the team with 4 tries, and Kai Ledesma Stroem with 1 try and 8 successful conversions.  Sylvia Tudoc attempting a try against Indonesia. Photos by Gozar Images. Meanwhile, the women’s team also secured 5th, holding off Laos with the score of 15-5 in their final match of the tournament day. Rookie Jasmine Torio scored the first try for the women’s team, followed by two successful tries by Sylvia Tudoc and Dixie Albios Yu. The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) ensured smooth hosting of the tournament, managing everything from the team accommodations to transportation to the stadium. These SEA 7s athletes were able to wear their Philippine jerseys through the support from Philippine Rugby Community globally. The spirit of the Filipino people was also evident, with support coming from different sponsors, institutions, and former volcano athletes who helped provide meals, snacks, and training shirts for the team. These development teams would not be able to step in this tournament without the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, Pillar Sports, and Fitness First Philippines. The Philippine Rising Stars will now prepare to vie for their slots on the Philippine Volcanoes men’s and women’s 7s training squad for the upcoming Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy tournament scheduled on October 4-6, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal. About Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines. For inquiries, please contact: [email protected] |
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