KUCHING: Sarawak’s women’s rugby team are in rebuilding mode ahead of this year’s SUKMA 7s competition, but head coach Sylvia Alexander Lian says the target of finishing on the podium remains unchanged.
An 18-player squad has been in Phase One camp since early January, combining SUKMA 2024 returnees with new recruits fresh out of SPM from Kuching, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri. Training has been centralised in Miri as preparations gather pace.
“For 7s, we are focusing heavily on fitness and individual skill execution. Many of our forwards are new, so we are building from the basics up,” Sylvia told the Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
She acknowledged that squad depth and differing fitness levels present early challenges, but stressed that Sarawak will remain competitive.
“We still want to stay on the podium. Selangor and Johor will be strong, and the Peninsula teams have more match exposure,” she added.
With conditioning work dominating the initial phase, the squad is expected to move into tactical refinement in March, with test matches planned to simulate tournament conditions.
Rebuilding or not, Sarawak are preparing to compete rather than merely participate.
