KUCHING: Sarawak’s women’s rugby may be rebuilding, but their SUKMA podium ambitions remain locked firmly in place.
An 18-player squad has been grinding through Phase One camp since early January as head coach, Sylvia Alexander Lian, reshapes the side for this year’s 7s showdown.
The squad blends SUKMA 2024 returnees with fresh SPM leavers from Kuching, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri, with training 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 Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
With conditioning work dominating early sessions, the team is expected to shift into sharper tactical refinement in March, with test matches pencilled in to simulate tournament intensity.
Sylvia admitted squad depth and varying fitness levels pose early hurdles, but stressed the objective remains unchanged.
“We surely want to maintain podium. Selangor and Johor will be strong, and Peninsula teams have more match exposure,” she added.
Rebuilding or not, Sarawak are preparing to compete, not merely participate.
