Cebu to host Phl-Singapore international rugby challenge

CEBU, Philippines - In a rare treat to rugby football fans in Cebu, the Queen City of the South plays host to the 1st International Ladies 15s Rugby Football Challenge featuring the Philippines versus Singapore at 3 pm on June 2 at the Cebu International School (CIS) pitch in Brgy. Pit-os, this city.

This is the first time that the Phl Lady Volcanoes will square off against an international team and they will surely have their hands full against the national players from the Lion City.

As an appetizer to the Phl-Singapore showdown, there will be a friendly encounter in the JML-Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) 15s League pitting the Cebu Dragons against the Alabang Eagles, the very same team wherein celebrities like Andrew Wolff and Derek Ramsey belong. Game time is set at 1:30 pm.

From 10am to 12 nn on that day, a Kids Touch Rugby Tournament will be held. It's the culminating activity for the Summer Kids Program spearheaded by the Cebu City Rugby Football Club (CCRFC) at the City Central Elementary School.

Held in partnership with the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) as part of its grassroots sports development project, the clinic has attracted 50 kids who are eager to learn the sport.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Dragons through the CCRFC in partnership with CIS, VisMinRFU and the PRFU have come a long way since the first time the sport of rugby started in Cebu.

This year, the growth of rugby is tremendous not only for the Philippine Volcanoes, but also for the local teams especially the Cebu Dragons.

Last year, nine players from the Cebu Lady Dragons were selected and played for the Philippine Lady Volcanoes, while seven Cebu Dragons suited up for the Philippine Volcanoes development squad that saw action on the international stage.

Last April 28 at the CIS field, the Lady Dragons triumphed over the Manila Mayhem in the annual Ladies 15s Rugby Challenge, underscoring the sport's steady growth in this portion of the archipelago. (FREEMAN)