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Philippine Volcanoes get boost from Globe beforeĀ  2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

11/21/2019

 
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The Philippine Volcanoes got a show of support from Globe before leaving to compete in the biggest rugby event in Asia that will decide which team will join host Japan in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

With Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala leading the send-off ceremony,  the Volcanoes will battle Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Afghanistan on November 23 and 24 in Incheon, South Korea. The winner takes a direct route to represent Asia in the Rugby Sevens event of the Summer Games next year in Japan.

“I’ve been a great believer in sports. It brings national unity, it brings our distinct communities of Filipinos from different backgrounds together. I think we have tremendous talent here. I wish you much luck and have no doubt that you guys will be there and make the country proud,” de Ayala said.

While the quest to compete in the biggest stage is daunting, the Volcanoes remain upbeat on their chances to bring home the last ticket in the Asia Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“The opposition is very strong. We can’t discount the determination of the other teams to get into the Olympics especially Hong Kong and host South Korea. All teams participating in Incheon are expected to give their all and leave everything on the pitch. But we are equally steadfast too to make it to the Tokyo Games and bring honor and glory to our country,” Jake Letts, former Team Captain and now Philippine Volcanoes General Manager, says.  

Globe has been supporting rugby and the Philippine Volcanoes since 2010. Two years ago the company renewed its partnership with the national team specifically to help the team qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Since the partnership the Volcanoes have had a steady rise through the Asian Rugby ranks.

The Volcanoes are just one tournament away from fulfilling this goal set several years ago. Starting at 10th in 2016, to 5th in 2017, to 3rd in 2018. The rise has had it's challenges however the team are confident they can put in a top performance come this Saturday in Incheon. They will also  try to become the first Filipino rugby team ever to qualify in the Olympic Games. 

"It's a monumental task, one that is achievable. We have had our ups and downs like any sports team, hoping this weekend it can come together and we can make the Philippines proud" shared Letts.

Ernest John Obiena became the first Filipino athlete to qualify in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games when he hurdled the Olympic Standard of 5.80 meters for men’s pole vault at the Salto Con L’asta in Piazza Chiari 2019 in Italy last September.

He was followed by gymnast Carlos Yulo after the Filipino dynamo ruled the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastic World Championships last month. Yulo is the first-ever Filipino to win the gold medal at the prestigious FIG World Championship.  

The matches will be played at Namdong Asiad Stadium, Philippines take on Singapore at 9:52 (local time) and China 14:52 (local time) this Saturday. The Sunday schedule will be determined by seedings after the first two matches.

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Tokyo 2020 acts as SEA Games Prep for Philippine Volcanoes

11/8/2019

 
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The Philippine Volcanoes, the National Women’s Rugby Team, are all set for their final preparation tournament for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. It couldn’t be better timing as it just so happens to be the Tokyo 2020 Regional Qualifying Tournament for the Olympic Games next year.

“This tournament comes around every four years, and it’s perfect as it leads towards our preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in December” shares Jake Letts of Philippine Rugby.

The Volcanoes are doubling down on the tournament this weekend as two other neighbouring southeast asians are also maximising the opportunity including Singapore and Thailand. It gives the Philippines a grading ground moving forward with the top teams in Asia. After a successful Trophy Series Gold Medal in August, the result has slingshotted the Philippines to the Top 8 in Asia, where they haven’t played since 2014.

“After a second place finish in the Trophy Series in 2018, the progression to a Gold Medal in 2019 was the next move in the right direction. Now we have the opportunity to show the top teams in Asia how far we have come in five years” added Letts.

Coach Fetala’a Taua has been instrumental in the teams preparation and is optimistic about the tournaments goals. “Our main aim for the event is to gain more international exposure for our development and to compete with the best teams in Asia”. Coach Taua along with his coaching staff have selected a strong contingent of players to perform for the Philippines, most evidently Aiumi Ono one of the countries most experienced players.

“After the huge success of Rugby World Cup in Asia there will be faster progress in the development of the sport. Our team will gain more popularity and interest which will lead to building much stronger asian teams in the future and in the Philippines” added Ono who will lead the side this weekend. 

The Volcanoes have been seeded in Pool B alongside Kazakstan, Thailand and Singapore. Pool A consists of China, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Korea. The team that wins the tournament joins Japan in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where the Runner Up will progress to the next round of Olympic Qualifications early next year. Matches are played this Saturday & Sunday in Guangzhou, China.

​Follow Philippine Rugby on Facebook for match times.

Volcanoes unite for equality

11/6/2019

 
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Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) have removed the term “Lady” from their national women’s 15s and 7s team names. In line with the decision of World Rugby and Asia Rugby to drop gender titles in the Rugby World Cup properties and Asia Rugby competition names,  this move demonstrates PRFU's commitment to delivering brand consistency across the organizations most recognised asset, the Philippine Volcanoes National Rugby Team.

Jake Letts, General Manager for Philippine Rugby says of the decision, “Our national team athletes are all developed on the foundational values of commitment, sacrifice, teamwork and passion. These values are reflected across both genders and we want the same name of our national team, the inspirational target for any athlete playing Rugby”. 

Ada Milby, PRFU Secretary General and former national women’s team captain also shared “This small change in the name, makes a big difference in the narrative. A Volcano is a Volcano. We want fans to focus on the athletes and their efforts to represent the country, not their gender and this is a great first step toward that intention”.
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This decision is part of a larger commitment to gender inclusion targets as set out in PRFU’s 2019-2023 Strategic Plan to help raise the profile of the women’s game and remove any perceived favouritism around the men’s team and men’s only tournaments, which historically haven’t included gender in their names. The women’s program has seen a steady rise of success over the last two years, achieving a silver medal finish in the Asia Trophy Series in 2018 and bagging the gold at the same event one year later. Other targets for the women’s game in PRFU include equitable opportunities for women and girls’ development by reducing barriers to join the game and gender targets for more female representation at all levels of the game.

​Both the men's and women's national sevens teams will be representing the Philippines in the upcoming Olympic Qualifications and 2019 Southeast Asian Games this November and December.
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© 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
    • 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