This article about the 2022 PRFU Luzon Rugby Cup and photos have been kindly provided by Philippine Rugby Football Union.
Seven hundred eighty-four days since rugby games were last played in the country, the Philippine Rugby Football Union is proud to announce the launching of the 2022 domestic rugby season through the 2022 PRFU Luzon Rugby Cup.
This festival will kick off on Saturday, 30th of April, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. The upcoming season in the island of Luzon will feature a total of 17 teams across four divisions for both the men and women. The 2022 PRFU Visayas Rugby Cup and the 2022 PRFU Mindanao Rugby Cup will kick off later this year.
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The Men’s and Women’s Championship divisions will feature the core of Philippine-heritage players, to help foster the development of local talent, as well as provide a pathway to play the country’s most experienced players. The Men’s and Women’s Premiership divisions will feature the country’s top players.
The tournament will adopt a festival day format, wherein there will be a champion in each division for every competition day. There are scheduled monthly festivals from April to June. However, additional festival days are being secured to add game days for all teams.
The domestic competitions for Philippine Rugby are not only features for local teams to participate in. They will also act as scouting grounds for up and coming talents. Some of the competition’s top homegrown talents who will be on show this weekend are Rand Santos and Rara Sales of SKF Mavericks, Fausto Eizmendi and Kat Andrews of Alabang Eagles, Dean Beeton and Rona Molines of Manila Nomads, Manny Salvador of Abay Bulkans, Matthew Sagay of La Liga, and Joemari Rauras of Clark Jets.
“It was a long wait for the Philippine Rugby community to return to full-contact games on home soil. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the development of the sport in the country.
However, we look forward to this new normal and are grateful for this opportunity to play once again. Since last year, we have been adopting a gradual return to play roadmap to ensure that safety is given utmost priority, especially after more than 2 years of no domestic competitions. It is great to see that the clubs are all excited to return to play once again and we have 17 teams registered for 4 divisions in Luzon alone.” shared Acee San Juan of Philippine Rugby.
The matches on Saturday will be played at Ayala Vermosa Hub in Imus, Cavite and will be streamed live on PRFU Facebook page. Only Covid-19 fully vaccinated individuals and those who have completed their Health Declaration forms will be allowed to enter the venue. Gates will open at 8:00 am for all local rugby supporters to join. The entrance is free.
Philippines News page: https://www.philippines.rugby/news
