MIRI: The Hornbill 7s continues to push the boundaries of rugby development, with a focus on expanding the sport’s reach to young girls through strategic grassroots initiatives.
Sarawak women’s team coach Sylvia Alexander Lian said the initiative is a crucial step in broadening rugby’s appeal to younger and more inclusive groups, particularly female students.
“The Hornbill Championship has been organised for over 10 years since 2013. Every year, we hold it in conjunction with the Miri City Day celebration.
“This year, we introduced the U12 category to encourage more participation from primary schools, especially among girls,” she said in a recent statement to Sarawak Tribune.
She also emphasised that the grassroots development initiative aims to strengthen rugby and build a steady pipeline of future talent.
“If we want to see sustainable progress, we must start from the grassroots,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, aside from open tournaments like the Hornbill 7s, she said the Miri Division Rugby Association (MDRA) and the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU) have planned three closed invitational tournaments throughout the year.
These events will provide ongoing competitive opportunities for active teams, while also creating pathways for young talent to progress to higher levels of competition, from state to national teams.
Moreover, the MDRA in a statement noted that the Hornbill 7s 2025 also demonstrates how sport can bridge social gaps, unite cultures, and promote universal values such as discipline, respect, and teamwork.
“As today’s youth face various social and digital challenges, rugby provides a safe space to shape character, mental resilience, and team spirit.
“This tournament is not just an opportunity to win trophies or medals, but more importantly, it is a platform to empower the younger generation, build identity, and shape the future of rugby in Malaysia, especially in Miri.
“With the enthusiasm and commitment of the organisers and the cooperation of involved agencies, it will be the driving force behind rugby development in Borneo and the nation,” MDRA said.
