KUCHING: Young Sarawakian rugby players gained international exposure this week as Australia’s Cougars NT Rugby Union Club held a grassroots clinic at the Song Kheng Hai Rugby Field today, sharing skills, experience, and encouragement with local female players.
The visiting team from Australia’s Northern Territory conducted the session as part of their off-season rugby outreach across Asia, which includes stops in Singapore and Malaysia.
“We’re just a team from the Northern Territory that loves a bit of footy and having fun on the side as well,” said Cougars NT player, Shea Lala, who had previously represented Ireland in Rugby 7s and Fiji in the Under-20 category.
He said the team was impressed by the enthusiasm and talent shown by the young Sarawak players during the morning drills.
“It’s really good to see these younger players practise the basics – tackling, passing, the fundamentals that are so crucial to the game.
“Even back home in Australia, we never stop practising those basics. The more you do it, the better you get, and that’s how you close the gap,” he said.
Shea added that five members of Cougars NT took part in the Kuching clinic, with more expected to join the squad later as they continue their rugby journey through Asia.
For local players, the session offered a rare opportunity to learn directly from international-level athletes.
Siti Noor Aiesya Azhari, 22, a UNIMAS student pursuing quantity surveying, said the experience was both “eye-opening” and inspiring.
“It’s not common for us to be exposed to international players, especially here in Sarawak,” she said.
“Their knowledge and experience are much wider, and it’s really good of them to share what they’ve learned with us. We’re very thankful for their time and effort,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nur Keysha, 16, a student from Kolej DPAH Abdillah who plays for the Wolfpack Girls, said the clinic brought a refreshing new approach to training.
“It was fun and different from what we usually do. They combine fitness and technique in one session, and they motivate us throughout the training. I really enjoyed it,” she said.
The Cougars NT players also praised Kuching’s hospitality and vibrant atmosphere, noting their appreciation for the city’s welcoming community.
“Kuching’s been very good to us – very welcoming and accommodating. We’ve really enjoyed the nightlife, the markets, and just going around the city,” Shea added.
The clinic reflects the growing interest in rugby development across Sarawak, and highlights the importance of international exchanges in raising the sport’s grassroots standards.
