AFTER making history as the first Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) team to clinch the prestigious Super Schools Rugby (SSR) Championship, MRSM Balik Pulau is now setting its sights on repeating the feat in next year’s edition.
The team stunned rugby fans when they edged Victoria Institution (VI) 14-13 in a nail-biting grand final at the Putrajaya Equestrian Park recently.
The victory not only earned MRSM Balik Pulau national recognition but also secured them RM15,000 in prize money, while VI walked away with RM7,000 as the runner-up.
Sekolah Menengah Sains Hulu Selangor (Semashur) and Malay College Kuala Kangsar rounded up the top four.
Head coach Mohd Izzuwan Ahmad Sukri, in an interview with Buletin Mutiara at MRSM Balik Pulau, said the focus now is on nurturing younger talent.
“Our next priority will be the U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-16 rugby tournaments.
“We want to give our students more experience before selecting the best to compete in the SSR Championship next year,” he explained.
Izzuwan stressed that the victory was especially meaningful as MRSM Balik Pulau is not a sports school.
“Before this, only fully residential schools (SBP) and premier schools managed to qualify for the SSR Championship.
“MRSM Balik Pulau became the first MRSM to be invited to the tournament last year, and we are proud to have now emerged as champions,” he said.
The SSR Championship, first introduced in 2013, is regarded as Malaysia’s most prestigious school rugby tournament. This year marked its 10th edition, with MRSM Balik Pulau improving on their impressive top-four finish last year.
“It is not easy to qualify for the SSR Championship as participation is by invitation, based on merit, performance, alumni support, and other technical factors. To win it this year is truly a blessing,” he added.
MRSM Balik Pulau has already built a strong reputation in rugby, having won the national-level inter-MRSM U-15 and U-18 competitions. However, Izzuwan considers the SSR title their greatest achievement to date.
“With more than 100 students from Form One to Form Five involved in rugby, we have a large pool of talent.
“Most of them started with no rugby background, but we train almost every day to build their skills.
“Our plan is to provide them with intensive training and exposure through various age-group tournaments, before selecting the best players to represent MRSM Balik Pulau in the next SSR Championship,” he said.
Also present during the interview were MRSM Balik Pulau principal Ibrahim Abdullah and Village Community Management Council (MPKK) Simpang Empat chairman Idzham Ahmad.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar and courtesy of MRSM Balik Pulau