Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens

Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens
Sport Rugby sevens
Instituted 2011
Number of teams 24
Country Malaysia (Malay College Kuala Kangsar)
Holders Hong Kong Sports School (2015)
Most titles Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail (2 titles)
Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Scots College and Hong Kong Sports School (1 title)
Website

The MCKK Premier 7s is an annual under 18 rugby seven tournament between the premier and international schools rugby sevens teams. The tournament was first held in 2011.The winners are awarded the NJ Ryan Cup, named after the last foreigner headmaster that lift up the school rugby team in the past.

The tournament is administered by Malay College Kuala Kangsar and Malay College Old Boys Association with sub committee, All-Blacks Revival (ABR).[1] The tournament is also on the verge of being recognized by International Rugby Board with help by Malaysian Rugby Union.[2] Since 2014,the tagline for this tournament is "Premiering Talent and Sportsmanship".[3]

History

MCKK has always been passionate about rugby. It has been a major game for the school since it was first introduced by then Headmaster Mr. N.J. Ryan (later Dato') back in 1956. Naming the team the MCKK All-Blacks, taking after the legendary New Zealand national team, their fortunes have both waxed and waned over the years, yet they remain one of the most formidable rugby teams in the country.

The Tournament is the brainchild of the All Blacks Revival Committee (ABR),[4] a group of the school rugby playing alumni who came together to revive and infuse new life into the proud tradition of rugby excellence at MCKK. Joint Organizing Committee Chairman Zain Yusoff said, Our participation in the sport during our school days played a key role in our development and growth as people, and we wanted the current students at the school to have the same experiences we did. We invited schools which had the same commitment to rugby as we did, and a history of excellence in the game to compete at what we hope will become the most prestigious tournament for 7-a-side rugby in the country.

Zain Yusoff added, €œTeam sports like rugby fostered school spirit and respect for rivals, sportsmanship and fairplay. These values cannot be taught from textbooks but have to be lived to be understood. And we are delighted by the support we have been given by the Ministry of Education who bought into our point of view and have given us their whole-hearted support to raise the game under their "One Student, One Sport program"€.

Zain Yusoff concluded, "€œThis Tournament is more than just about playing a game. All of us from MCKK are looking forward to sharing our culture and hospitality with the participating schools. For many of us, it a way of giving back something to the younger generation. It about sharing values, learning through experience, and of course, enjoying the game we all love so much.€"[5] After five tournaments, the NJ Ryan Cup have traveled to three countries (Malaysia, New Zealand and Hong Kong). Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail of Malaysia have won the cup twice followed by home team, MCKK, Scots College of New Zealand and the latest, Hong Kong Sports school (each once) .

Objectives

The objectives of this tournament are mainly to raise the standards of rugby amongst schools in Malaysia apart from fostering closer relations amongst participating teams and students.

Tournaments

MCKK Premier 7s 2011

Main article: MCKK Premier 7s 2011

The MCKK Premier 7s 2011 was the first tournament of the Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens. It was held from 26 till 27 February 2011. It were sponsored by DiGi as title sponsor. The tournament were won by Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail which beaten Sekolah Menengah Sultan Yahya Petra in Cup final with score 36-7 to claim the first title.Vajiravudh College send their under 16 team in this inaugural tournament.[6]

MCKK Premier 7's 2012

Main article: MCKK Premier 7's 2012

The MCKK Premier 7's 2012 was the second tournament of the Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens.[7] It were held from 25th till 26 February 2012. The tournament were won by Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail with an impressive performance beating Sekolah Menengah Sultan Yahya Petra in Cup final with score 38-10 to secure the NJ Ryan Cup for two successive time.[8][9][10]

MCKK Premier 7's 2013

Main article: MCKK Premier 7's 2013

The MCKK Premier 7's 2013 was the third edition of the[11] Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens.It were held from 22 till 24 February 2013. The defending champions, Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail were shocked of having their first defeat in the tournament after two undefeated editions which lead to its failure of retaining the NJ Ryan Cup. However, it wrapped up this edition as Bowl champion.[12] After two editions, the host, Malay College Kuala Kangsar, finally were crowned as the new champions, defeating Sekolah Menengah Sains Hulu Selangor in Cup final with score 19-7.[13][14]

MCKK Premier 7's 2014

Main article: MCKK Premier 7's 2014

The MCKK Premier 7's 2014 was fourth edition of the Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens. It was scheduled from 28 February till 2 March 2014.[15] For the first time of the tournament history, the NJ Ryan Cup were won by an international representative. Scots College of New Zealand won the cup by defeating Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman in the Cup final with score 36-14.[16]The defending champion and host, Malay College Kuala Kangsar, were denied for defending the trophy by Cup finalist, Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Cup semi-final.

MCKK Premier 7's 2015

Main article: MCKK Premier 7's 2015

The MCKK Premier 7's 2015 was the fifth edition of the annual, invitational Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens.It were scheduled from 28 February till 1 March 2015.[17]The international teams again return to three compare to previous Tournament of five teams.[18] Hong Kong Sports School, dethroned the defending champion, Scots College with score 31-12 in the tournament first nonlocals final.[19]

Hosting issues

After Scots College[20] won the 2014 tournament, there is issues whether this tournament should include foreign participants which could lead to counter-productivity of the locals participant. Aziz Hassan, columnist of New Straits Times in his article said "Maybe not when it happens once but if foreign teams become the tournament's champions perennially, one can imagine how the local boys would feel, having to settle for second best despite the best of efforts.[21]"Zain Yusoff, Chairman of AllBlacks Revival programme however debunked the statement and insisted it will help the locals to get the taste of high-level competitions.[22] His statement were on par with tournament director Amrul Hazarin Hamidin statement which the organisers, in a bid to boost the quality of the event, are looking to bring at least six foreign teams for the tournament next season.[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Trofi N.J Ryan Jadi Rebutan 24 Pasukan Pada Kejohanan MCKK 7′s". Dunia Sukan. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  2. ↑ "MCKK 7s gaining recognition | Sports | The Malay Mail Online | Malaysia, Business, Sports, Lifestyle and World News". The Malay Mail Online. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  3. ↑ http://mcoba.org/mckk-p7-rugby-tournament-press-conference-21-jan-2014/
  4. ↑ "Regaining MCKK's lost glories not an easy task - Other - New Straits Times". Nst.com.my. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  5. ↑ "MCKK Announces Participants of the Inaugural Premier Rugby 7s Tournament". Mckk.edu.my. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  6. ↑ Ishak, Fadhli (2012-02-19). "RUGBY: Top quality juniors for MCKK tourney - Other - New Straits Times". Nst.com.my. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  7. ↑ "24 pasukan bertarung dalam Ragbi Premier 7 MCKK". Utusan.com.my. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  8. ↑ "HOK SENGOTI: SSTMI EMERGED CHAMPIONS OF THE 2012 MCKK PREMIER 7S RUGBY TOURNAMENT". Abgshah.com. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  9. ↑ "RUGBY: SSTMI defend title - Other - New Straits Times". Nst.com.my. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  10. ↑ Ishak, Fadhli (2012-02-23). "RUGBY: National coach will have his hands full - Other - New Straits Times". Nst.com.my. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  11. ↑ "Giving back". Astro Awani. 2013-02-24. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  12. ↑ "myMetro | MCKK juara edisi ke-3". Hmetro.com.my. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  13. ↑ Azharie, Farah. "Hosts finally win MCKK 7s Premier". SPORTS247.MY. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  14. ↑ "myMetro | Latihan intensif bawa kejayaan". Hmetro.com.my. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  15. ↑ "MCKK Premier 7s - Uploads vanaf je telefoon". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  16. ↑ http://www.scotscollege.school.nz/news/scots-7s-team-win-international-tournament
  17. ↑ http://www.bharian.com.my/node/34340
  18. ↑ http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/sp/newssports.php?id=1107954
  19. ↑ http://www.scotscollege.school.nz/news/scots-7s-team-win-international-tournament
  20. ↑ http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/sp/newssports.php?id=1018681
  21. ↑ http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/rugby-having-foreign-teams-can-be-counter-productive-1.503368
  22. ↑ http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/foreign-teams-helping-development-1.511827
  23. ↑ http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/rugby-mckk-aim-to-boost-premier-sevens-1.498174
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