Rugby League- Tegalalang Tigers learn to roar

 

In Tegallalang, there is a sports field. This field is in a sorry state, yet it is used to host basketball, soccer and rugby. The grass on this field is long and unkempt; it is covered in rocks, potholes and rubbish. Yet this most unlikely of venues is home to one of BSF Asia first and finest teams. The ‘Tegallalang Tigers’ Rugby Club.

The players are still developing the basic skills of rugby, learning both League and Union, yet they play with passion, flair and at times ferocity. Training is regimentally adhered to, every Wednesday afternoon after school, where the players hone their skills and learn new techniques and drills every week, despite a lack of basic equipment.

However, being a resourceful group they have taken advantage of every opportunity they can muster. They have their own Facebook group where they post coaching videos found on Youtube, or upload pictures from training. They’ve looked for donations from sports clubs and kindly been given balls by Rodney Holt. They attended the rugby league crash course given by the Australian Rugby League development office, and provided to budding young coaches to the ‘coaching the coaches’ seminar. In short, these boys are determined to make the best of what they have and continue to have fun, learn new skills and enjoy some friendly competition.

The volunteers at BSF Asia are committed to coaching the Tigers, but are ever dependent upon the generous donations received from our sponsors and the public to pay for sports equipment, professional coaching staff, team jerseys and transport for the boys to play matches outside of Tegallalang. We would even like to send the boys to rugby tournaments in Jakarta and Singapore!

I would like to urge all readers of the Bali Sports Mag to dig deep and donate to the foundation in any way possible, be it a monetary donation, equipment, sponsorship of equipment, please give generously. Perhaps you have experience or expertise coaching a particular sport? If you’d like to volunteer your services as a coach get in touch and we’ll put you in the right direction to improving sport in Bali.

So on behalf of the Tigers and BSF Asia, a big thank you to all those who have already sponsored our events, donated to the foundation, or even offered raffle prizes for fundraisers. Thank you.