Singapore has a thriving junior rugby union community with weekly training, regular inter-club tournaments and international trips. Clubs welcome all newcomers throughout the year. Yes, it’s hot here, but playing sport is still fun – and great for teamwork and making new friends. Here are a few clubs to check out!
Tanglin Rugby Club
Tanglin Rugby Club (TRC) is a not-for-profit family-oriented club offering rugby and touch rugby for children aged four to 17, with over 40% being girls. Having fun is the priority and children do not only develop physical skills but core rugby values of respect, commitment and teamwork. Several current players and alumni have received international honours. Most of the coaches are parents that are qualified to at least Level 1 IRB and they are supported by a number of professionals. The club operates across two terms (with a break from June to August) and training is held at the club’s pitches at Turf City on Sunday mornings (with coffee and food for parents and supporters!). It’s a family affair at the club, with many siblings playing, a thriving mums’ and dads’ touch team and social events.
The club is proud to play a leading role in promoting girls contact rugby in Singapore, with dedicated girls teams from nine years and above. As the largest junior rugby club in Singapore, TRC is also dedicated to giving back to the game, hosting four international tournaments yearly. They also work to enable the less fortunate, both in Singapore and across the region, to enjoy and benefit from sport. This is done through outreach activities and tours to countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos and India.
Fees: From $440 (U5) for Term 1; there’s also a one-off newcomer fee of $150
Turf Club Road, Turf City
tanglinrugbyclub.com
Dragons Rugby Club Singapore
Dragons Rugby Club is a Singapore-based not-for-profit junior rugby club that runs purely for the enjoyment of players, supporters and coaches. They aim to encourage young players to have fun, and develop their skills and fitness levels so they can continue playing the game in adulthood. The club also hopes to instil a sense of fair play in the children, while encouraging them to be competitive. The club was established in April 2011 with just six kids and has grown to over 450 players from U5 to U17, including girls touch. They also offer scholarships for talented players.
Training is held on Saturday afternoons at UWCSEA (East), which has fantastic facilities, underground parking and a covered spectator area. The majority of their 50 coaches are qualified to a minimum of World Rugby Level 1 standard. The club competes in many local and overseas tournaments and is an active member of JRCS (Junior Rugby Clubs Singapore). Register on the club’s website and come along for a free trial on any Saturday afternoon.
Fees: $450 for a year, plus $100 for the playing kit that consists of a shirt, shorts and socks
Centaurs Rugby Singapore
At Centaurs Rugby Singapore, boys and girls as young as three years old can pick up rugby. It begins with rugby-themed games and progresses to contact rugby in older age groups. Training for all age groups for boys and girls takes place on Saturdays between 8.30am and 1.30pm at Centaurs Sports Park at Turf Club Road. Children benefit from professional coaching; Centaurs players are not only taught by parent or volunteer coaches but also pro coaches from premiership rugby clubs in Singapore as well as current and ex-international players. This approach allows them to benefit from the latest coaching techniques and keep up with changing rules and safety requirements.
The club operates across three terms, with a mid-year break. From January to June, U10 to U17 players have the opportunity to take part in the Junior Rugby Clubs Singapore (JRCS) league. Other age groups have chances to play friendlies, tournaments and go on tour. The club also hosts an annual international tournament that attracts teams from Australia and around the region.
Fees: Visit their website to find out current term pricing. If you join mid-term, fees are pro-rated for that term.
Singapore Irish Rugby Club
Singapore Irish Rugby Club is one of the newest junior rugby clubs in Singapore. Former Ireland international player Neil Best leads the club’s coaching team, along with former Singapore women’s player Azurah Khalid. They are supported by six current and former professional Singapore international players. The rugby teams range from Under 5 to Under 13 and training sessions focus heavily on core skills development. Besides that, the kids also learn good sporting ethics and teamwork. Training sessions are held on Sunday mornings at the Canadian School’s Tanjong Katong Campus in the East Coast.
You don’t need to be Irish to join – everyone gets a warm welcome at this family-orientated rugby club. It’s a great place for kids (and parents) to make new friends and have fun. Families are welcome to attend free trials during the club’s regular practice sessions on Sundays.
Fees: $550 per year, including kit, with a discount on offer for sibling sign-ups
Find out more at the club’s Facebook page or website.
SCC Rugby Academy
The Singapore Cricket Club’s Rugby Academy runs U4 to U17 rugby teams for boys and girls (mixed gender teams up to U12) and U10, U12 ,U14 and U16 girls’ touch rugby teams. You do not need to be a member of SCC in order to join the rugby club. Children are able to progress to adults rugby by moving into Colts (Under 19s) and then joining the adult rugby section. Players are taught by a team of experienced coaches, including current playing members of the SCC. The rugby teams train at the SCC Dempsey ground on Saturday mornings, while Touch teams train there on Sunday mornings. Girls-only rugby training happens on Sundays. Players also occasionally train on the Padang field.
The Academy runs its own Rugby 7s and touch tournament annually in October at the Padang. Players have opportunities to take part in tournaments in Singapore (from Under 5s and above) and Junior Rugby Clubs Singapore (JRCS) league for Under 10s and above, and also touch tournaments. There are also tours to places such as Kuala Lumpur, Perth, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Fees: From $170 (non-member) and $150 (member), depending on the age group and term of the year
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