CBRE Phl reaffirms support to local rugby

MANILA, Philippines - In its continuing commitment to help promote and develop rugby in the country, leading real estate services and advisory firm CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) staged the CRBE Juniors rugby tournament which drew over 200 expats and local kids at the Don Jones Field of the British School Manila (BSM) in Taguig recently.

International School Manila, European International School, BSM, Clark Rugby Club (CRC) of Angeles City, Bahay Bata, Duyan, Tuloy, and the Bulacan team clashed for top honors in various age-group divisions, including Under-8, U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16 categories.

Parents, coaches, school officials and representatives came in full force to cheer the children and support CBRE’s core corporate social responsibility program which aims to develop and popularize the sport of rugby among the youth.

Aside from the junior rugby tilt, CBRE Philippines also sponsored tournaments and brought in foreign coaches and players to train members of the national men’s and women’s teams and other aspiring players, giving local rugby a big shot in the arm.

“We’ve got hundreds of kids now playing rugby in the country. We plan to bring it into the thousands,” said Rick Santos, chairman and founder of CBRE Phils. and concurrent secretary-general of the Philippine Rugby Football Union.

The tournament, a premier training ground for young and aspiring players, was sponsored annually by CBRE Phils. in partnership with PRFU) for the third straight year.

“We’ve taken the Philippine rugby team from Division 4 to Division 1 in the Asian 5 Nations Rugby in just a span of two years,” said Santos.

In fact, the Philippine Volcanoes are now the second most successful rugby team in Asia over the last six years, according to national team coach Matt Cullen.

“The Volcanoes have only lost one game in four years,” said Cullen, a former pro in the Australian league.

CBRE Phils. also supported the recently-concluded Manila 10s tournament at the Nomads Sports Club. The Manila 10s is a kick off tournament for clubs from around the world planning to join the Hong Kong Sevens.