PHILIPPINE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
  • ABOUT US
    • Calendar
    • Strategic Plan
    • Sponsor Rugby
    • RUGBY 101
    • Constitution and By Laws
    • Lifetime Members
    • Growing the Game - Retention Strategy
    • Sustainability
    • Audited Financial Statement
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • CLUB RUGBY & YOUTH RUGBY
    • Club Rugby
    • Schools & Youth Rugby
    • Get Into Rugby
    • Development Team
    • Training and Education
    • Support Foundation Programs
    • PRFU New Player Registration
    • Club Rugby Player Registration
    • Match Officials >
      • COVID-19 - Return to Rugby
    • Domestic Rugby Results >
      • PRFU 15s >
        • 2020 15s
      • PRFU 7s >
        • 2019 PRFU 7s
  • NATIONAL TEAMS
    • Player Recruitment
    • Talent I.D & Recruitment Days
    • Player Profiles >
      • Men's 15s
      • Women's 15s
      • Men's 7s
      • Women's 7s
      • Rising Stars
    • National Women's Program
    • Men's 7s
    • Men's 15s
    • National Development Teams
    • National Youth Teams
    • National Teams Resource Page
  • PRFU POLICY STATEMENTS
    • Player Welfare
    • World Rugby Anti-Doping Regulations
    • PRFU Code of Conduct
    • PRFU Child Safeguarding Policy
    • Competition Sanctioning
  • CONTACT US
  • Shop
  • Hiring

news

Volcanoes eye off Rugby World Cup repeat

8/31/2017

 
Picture
Vincent Amar Young - Photo Credit: Raymond Braganza

Hong Kong - Four years ago the unimaginable happened, the Philippine Volcanoes were playing in a Rugby World Cup. It was the first time in 50 plus years a Philippine national team had progressed through the qualifier rounds to earn their right on the biggest stage. This was in 2013, the challenge now, can the Volcanoes repeat these efforts and qualify for the 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup?

According to the qualification rules, only two teams from Asia will earn a position in the prestigious event. The World Cup is held every four years, (although it would have been five years since the last event) due to the fact Rugby 7s has now been re included as an Olympic sport. The international federation, known as World Rugby, chose to cater to the Olympic calendar years. This decision allows both the Rugby World Cup and the Olympics to act as world championship events, held evenly, every two years.

The 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup will be held in San Francisco, USA, from July 20 - 22. The Volcanoes, recently backed by Globe Telecom start their journey this Friday and Saturday in Hong Kong for the first round of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series at Kings Park.

The Volcanoes have a new look team, a mix of Filipino youth, Philippine resident players and most evidently, experienced campaigners.

"I think we will surprise a lot of countries. We have a lot of new and exciting players that will only get better with experience. We definitely have the talent to be serious competitors in this year's Asian series" shared Sean Celada Lynch, the only remaining member in this team from the 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup team. Lynch's family hails from Borongan City, Eastern Samar. His team mate Danny Bembo Matthews has been named Captain. Matthews has family ties from Alaminos, Pangasinan. Matthews lead the team in Qatar last February where he was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, guiding the Volcanoes to a Gold medal performance.

"We expect a high level of rugby this weekend. In February it was great to see our combinations come together. Teams will be strong here in Hong Kong. To qualify for the World Cup we have to beat the best in Asia so we can compete against the Worlds best. We are up to the challenge" shared Bembo Matthews.

The Volcanoes are seeded in Pool A against home town favorites Hong Kong, China and Malaysia. After day one, the teams will be re-seeded based on results. The second day consists of a cross over to play Pool B participants Japan, Korea, Taipei and Sri Lanka in the playoff finals. Japan finished 4th in the Olympic Games and are tipped to be hot favorites in Hong Kong.

The Asia Sevens Series will be held across three legs, with Round 2 in Korea on September 23/24 and Round 3 in Sri Lanka on October 14/15. The team will be coached by former New Zealand All Black Frano Botica.

Tournament Details:
Venue: Kings Park, Hong Kong 

Match Times: 

14.36 Philippines vs. China
16.44 vs Philippines vs. Hong Kong
19.36 vs Philippines vs. Malaysia

2017 Asia Rugby Sevens Series Team List:
​

  1. Edlen Cortez Hernandez
  2. Gregory Waki Golman
  3. Nicholas Molitor
  4. Jackson Junior Pato
  5. Daniel Bembo Matthews (c)
  6. Tommy Kalaw Gilbert
  7. Sean Celada Lynch
  8. Christopher Arpon Bird
  9. Timothy Bweheni
  10. Joe Palabay Dawson
  11. Ned Plarizan Stephenson
  12. Vincent Amar Young


Ph Volcanoes ready to erupt in KL SEA Games

8/16/2017

 
 
Manila Philippines: The national rugby sevens teams, the Philippine Volcanoes have finalized their playing rosters for this weekend's Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.
 
For Team Philippines, Coach Shirley Russell has retained 9 athletes from her 2015 team which took out the Bronze in Singapore.
 
"The ladies have an additional two years experience since our last SEA Games, their skills have increased, their positional awareness has increased, we are in a much better position for this year's games. Our aim is to qualify for Gold Medal match" Russell stated.
 
The ladies look to experience in Rassiel Sales, Acee San Juan and Sylvia Tudoc to lead the national team, all three returning from 2015. Their opening match is against gold medal favourites Thailand, followed by Laos, Singapore on the first day and Malaysia on Sunday.
 
For the men's, Team Philippines aim for back-to-back gold medals. The Men's open their SEA Games defense against Indonesia and Cambodia, followed by host nation Malaysia on day one. A match of the day after the two went head-to-head in 2015 for the Gold Medal. Day two, the Philippines face Singapore and Thailand to conclude the round robin format. The top two teams will be seeded into the Gold Medal match with the next two for the Bronze. The same format goes for the Women's.
 
Coaches Frano Botica and David Johnston have named Harrison Carceller Blake as Team Captain. Blake returns from a successful Asia Trophy Series in February, where the Volcanoes secured the Gold in Doha.
 
"It's an absolute honor and privilege to be named Captain, I'm looking forward to the weekend. My main message for the players is to make sure they know their roles and do their jobs well, we know we have the team to win it, we aim to execute and bring home gold for the country" Blake shared.

Picture
Rassiel Sales
Picture
Sylvia Tudoc
Picture
Harrison Carceller Blake
Picture
Jonel Madrona
Another impact selection for the Men's is young Jonel Madrona, who starred in the Volcanoes tour in April. Madrona, a Clark Jet representative will playing in his first ever SEA Games. 

Team Philippines will depart to the games on Thursday 17th, before taking the field at MBPJ Stadium, Kelana Jaya on Saturday & Sunday:
​
Team Announcement:

2017 Southeast Asian Games Team: Womens

  1. Angella Camille San Juan (C) 
  2. Helena Roxannes Indigne (VC) 
  3. Rassiel Sales
  4. Kaye Llanie Honoras 
  5. Gelanie Gamba 
  6. Sylvia Tudoc 
  7. Madille Salinas 
  8. Dixie Star Yu 
  9. Hayes Monica Bolofer 
  10. Tanya Louise Escala Bird 
  11. Camilla Maslo
  12. Ada Lacia Milby 
 
Head Coach: Shirley Russell
Manager: Mae Ann Ubaub
Physiotherapist: Steph Yee 

Match Schedule:

Venue: Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya, Kuala Lumpur

Saturday 19th August:

Philippines vs Thailand - 10.00
Philippines vs Laos - 15:16
Philippines vs Singapore - 17:32

Sunday 20th August:

Philippines vs. Malaysia - 11:28

Finals:

3rd/4th - 16:22
Final - 16:44



​2017 Southeast Asian Games Team: Men's
​
  1. Justin Villazor Coveney 
  2. Rupert Dian Zappia 
  3. Christopher Baltazar Hitch 
  4. Jonel Madrona 
  5. Harrison Carceller Blake (C) 
  6. Vincent Amar Young 
  7. Jason Celada Lynch 
  8. Evan Santillan Spargo 
  9. Ricky Alarcon Kucia 
  10. Jake Robrigado Letts 
  11. Christopher Alamil Everingham 
  12. Harry Dionson Morris 

Head Coach: Frano Botica 
Assistant Coach: David Johnston 
Team Manager: Matthew Cullen 
Physiotherapist: Robert Osborne

Match Schedule:


Venue: Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya, Kuala Lumpur

Saturday 19th August:

Philippines vs Indonesia - 11:06
Philippines vs Cambodia - 13:22
Philippines vs Malaysia - 16:00

Sunday 20th August:

Philippines vs. Singapore - 10:44
Philippines vs. Thailand - 13:22


Finals:

5th/6th - 15:38
3rd/4th - 16:00
Final - 17.06
​

Philippine Rugby Gets Ready for First ChildFund Pass It Back Cup

8/1/2017

 
BACOLOD, PHILIPPINES: ChildFund Pass It Back, an innovative sport for development program managed by ChildFund and partnering in the Philippines with the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), is hosting the PRFU ChildFund Pass It Back Cup on August 5, 2017. The competition will consist of 25 teams of more than 250 participants from the cities of Bacolod, Bago, and Talisay.

The competition is the culminating event of the first season of a program that was launched for the first time in the Philippines in February 2017. Twenty young adults, with no rugby or life skills coaching experience, were trained to become PRFU coaches and deliver an integrated rugby and life skills curriculum that promotes young people’s health and wellbeing, and provides important leadership and life skills learning opportunities.

ChildFund Pass It Back is a part of the Rugby World Cup 2019 IMPACT Beyond program, which aims to grow the game across Asia in the lead up to the first Rugby World Cup to be held in the region. The program in the Philippines is supported by the Australian Government through its Asia Sports Partnerships (ASP) initiative.

“The coaches and children are really excited about the PRFU ChildFund Pass It Back Cup,” said PRFU Development Officer Anne Sajorne. “They are excited to wear jerseys designed by the teams and to have a great day of fun together. We are also really excited to welcome a delegation from the Japan Rugby Football Union, which includes top level athletes, to inspire our players to stay with the sport!”

“PRFU are really pleased with the progress of this program and the feedback from the players and coaches,” said PRFU Secretary General Ada Milby. “The ability to demonstrate that a program can successfully meet a 50% minimum participation target with girls is also a very big win for our union and for women in sports. This is in part due to ChildFund Pass It
Back's safeguarding practices. ChildFund's expertise in this area was recently recognised by the Beyond Sport Awards, where it won the UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award."

ChildFund Japan Philippine Office Country Director, Rina Munsayac, said: “This partnership has been a learning experience for all stakeholders involved and we are looking forward to see all the hard work come together in such a special event.”

About ChildFund Pass It Back
ChildFund Pass It Back is an innovative Sport for Development program led by ChildFund in partnership with World Rugby, Asia Rugby and Women Win. The program aims to equip children and young people in Asia to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change and
‘pass it back’ to their communities. Using Get Into Rugby, a World Rugby program to grow the Game globally, the program gets children and youth to Try, Play and Stay in the Game. It is a part of the IMPACT Beyond Rugby World Cup 2019 program, which will increase awareness and sustainable growth of rugby in Asia. ChildFund Pass It Back delivers an integrated rugby and life skills curriculum in a safe environment that promotes the values of the Game and builds a new generation of leaders in disadvantaged communities across Asia.

About ChildFund
ChildFund is a global alliance of child-focused development organisations working in 63 countries to reduce child poverty and promote children’s rights. The ChildFund Pass It Back Partnership is led by ChildFund Australia, working closely with ChildFund Japan and other ChildFund Alliance members, to expand the Program’s impact across the region. ChildFund Japan leads the ChildFund Pass It Back program in the Philippines for ChildFund, with the support of ChildFund Australia.

Junior Volcanoes set for U20 Asian rugby tourney

8/1/2017

 
Manila, Philippines: The Junior Volcanoes, backed by First Pacific, are in deep preparations for the U20 Asia Rugby Sevens Championships.

The tournament, hosted by Hong Kong will be held at Kings Park on August 4 and 5. The pools have been announced with the Junior Volcanoes coming into Pool A with last year’s winners Sri Lanka followed by Malaysia, China, and Chinese Taipei. Pool B features last year’s runners up Korea alongside home favourites Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. 

The national team will be lead by experienced Head Coach David Johnston and his assistant, senior Men’s veteran Jake Robrigado Letts, an experienced member of the sevens game. The team has been tucked away in a High Performance Training Camp since Friday for final preparations before departure on Thursday. The national U20s is the PRFU’s youth program designed to develop, identify and up skill national rugby players to be transferred into the national men’s senior program.

Key members Gabriel Lingan, Andrew Rodolfo Baldado and Josh Heredia Miller have been selected back into the program after their performances in last years series. The Volcanoes have adopted a youth policy to ensure players are able to participate in the tournament on more than one occasion
​
“It’s been a productive week for the team, Dave and I have been working closely
Picture
Gabriel Lingan
Picture
Jeff Patrick De Gracia Ninalga
Picture
Mark Joseph Llanera
Picture
Josh Heredia Miller - Photos are copyright to PRFU and Raymond Braganza
to ensure the team is best prepared come Saturday. Looking ahead, we want to build this program each year and it starts with a solid foundation this weekend. It’s an important tournament for the Volcanoes and the PRFU. The players have a lot to play for, not only the country, but also selection into the Men’s senior program later in the year” Letts shared.

Joshua Aragon also returns for the Junior Volcanoes, only this time he will compete in a slightly more familiar territory. The Clark Jets representative graduated from the U18 youth program and has had a remarkable rise since. Aragon has already earned his first cap with the senior Men’s team after a standout performance in the SEA 7s last April where the senior Volcanoes finished with a bronze medal. Aragon has since been named in the men’s SEA Games training squad. All before his debut for the U20s.

“I have learnt a lot of extra techniques to step up my game. Having a taste of how high the level of men’s senior rugby is, I think the experience will help me this weekend in Hong Kong” Aragon shared.

The Junior Volcanoes will face Malaysia first in their pool matches, followed by Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei and finally China. All on the opening day. Saturday will see the teams seeded into a playoff format against Pool B. 

Game schedule:

Day 1: Friday August 4th

10.58: Philippines vs Malaysia
13.10: Philippines vs Sri Lanka 
15.44: Philippines vs Chinese Taipei 
18.18: Philippines China 

Day 2: Finals day (TBC) ​
​
    Stay connected with us!
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010

    Categories

    All
    Alabang Eagles
    Alabang Ibons
    Al Caravelli
    ALCU Games
    Arfu
    Asian 5 Nations
    Asian Rugby 7s Series
    Bahay Bata
    Batang Pinoy
    Bison
    Borneo 7s
    Cdo Rugby
    Cebu Dragons
    Cebu Lady Dragons
    Clark Jets
    Clark Rugby Club
    Coaching
    Contests
    Csr
    Davao Durians
    Development
    Development Team
    Duyan Ni Maria
    Education
    Globe Immortals
    Hong Kong 7s
    Immortals
    Internationals
    Juniors
    Kiama 7s
    Lady Volcanoes
    Local Tournaments
    Malaysia 7s
    Manila Hapons
    Manila Mayhem
    Manila Nomads
    Manila Vipers
    MANSAC
    Mavericks
    Men's 10s
    Men's 15s
    Men's 7s
    Misc
    Mumbai 7s
    Nomads Carabaos
    Pamantasan Lungsod Ng Maynila
    Pamantasan Lungsod Ng Muntinlupa
    Philippines A Team
    Philippine Volcanoes
    Prfu League
    Pune 7s
    Quezon City Polytechnic University
    Rugby 101
    Rugby World Cup
    Rugby World Cup 7s
    Shanghai 7s
    Singapore 7s
    Taguig City University
    Tarsiers
    Team Selection
    Thailand 7s
    Touraid
    Under 14s
    Under 16s
    Under 18s
    Under 20s
    University Of Makati
    Victory
    Videos
    Vismin Rfu
    Women
    Women's 10s
    Women's 15s
    Women's 7s

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture

    SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter

Subscribe


© Philippine Rugby Football Union 2014-2020
  • ABOUT US
    • Calendar
    • Strategic Plan
    • Sponsor Rugby
    • RUGBY 101
    • Constitution and By Laws
    • Lifetime Members
    • Growing the Game - Retention Strategy
    • Sustainability
    • Audited Financial Statement
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • CLUB RUGBY & YOUTH RUGBY
    • Club Rugby
    • Schools & Youth Rugby
    • Get Into Rugby
    • Development Team
    • Training and Education
    • Support Foundation Programs
    • PRFU New Player Registration
    • Club Rugby Player Registration
    • Match Officials >
      • COVID-19 - Return to Rugby
    • Domestic Rugby Results >
      • PRFU 15s >
        • 2020 15s
      • PRFU 7s >
        • 2019 PRFU 7s
  • NATIONAL TEAMS
    • Player Recruitment
    • Talent I.D & Recruitment Days
    • Player Profiles >
      • Men's 15s
      • Women's 15s
      • Men's 7s
      • Women's 7s
      • Rising Stars
    • National Women's Program
    • Men's 7s
    • Men's 15s
    • National Development Teams
    • National Youth Teams
    • National Teams Resource Page
  • PRFU POLICY STATEMENTS
    • Player Welfare
    • World Rugby Anti-Doping Regulations
    • PRFU Code of Conduct
    • PRFU Child Safeguarding Policy
    • Competition Sanctioning
  • CONTACT US
  • Shop
  • Hiring