TRADITIONAL giants Cobra will once again take the reins of the national Under-19 squad this season, thanks to financial backing from Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia (YR1M).
Cobra, YR1M and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation officially launched the 1Malaysia Cobra Youth Rugby Programme in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
Besides managing the national junior squad, the initiative will also see Cobra working on a wider grassroots development of the sport, with a focus on retaining and further grooming youngsters, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, once they leave secondary school
The programme also includes a social aspect where the sport will be used to keep youths out of trouble and make them more responsible, productive and employable. The Laureus Foundation will spearhead this part of the programme.
Cobra vice president Tan Thiam Jin said the club hope the initiative, which started last month and is set to run for one year, will become a long-term agreement.
The club first managed the national squad in 2012 but did not do so last year. “We are very happy that YR1M has decided to support us. We will look to deliver our goals and hopefully we can work out a long-term plan with them,” said Thiam Jin.
“We have done a lot of work throughout the various junior age-groups for a long time, and by having the opportunity to manage the Under-19 squad, will provide kids that move through our programme the perfect progression.
“Once they leave the Under-19 group, the Malaysian Rugby Union can take over and further develop them for the senior side.
“Age group players leave every season, so it is important to have enough being produced by the system or we may run out of talent.”
Laureus World Sports Academy vice chairman Sean Fitzpatrick said increasing the number and quality of coaches in Malaysia would be the key to boosting the sport in the country. By Fadhli Ishak