‘Giving back’: 140 students attend Wolfpack rugby clinic in Kuching

KUCHING (Feb 9): Alumni of Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah (KDPAHA) came together to give back to their alma mater by organising a youth rugby clinic through the Wolfpack Rugby Club at the MRSM Rugby Field here on Feb 7.

The club, founded in 2016 by  KDPAHA alumni, has since grown into a community-driven rugby organisation in Sarawak with emphasis on youth development and sporting excellence.

The clinic attracted about 140 students from KDPAHA and MRSM Kuching, underscoring collaboration between the two institutions while promoting rugby fundamentals and character development among participants. Designed and conducted by alumni coaches, the programme adopted a rotational, station-based format to ensure inclusive and active participation among students of varying skill levels.

Activities were divided into five core skill stations — Play Tag, Fish Net, Caterpillar Passing, Fun Try Race and Rugby Netball — each aimed at strengthening essential competencies such as evasion, defensive coordination, passing accuracy, scoring technique and tactical awareness.

Wolfpack president Merril Demornay described the initiative as a continuation of the mentorship culture they once experienced as students.

“For us, Wolfpack is a legacy. Standing on this field today, coaching these students, we see our younger selves. Our goal is to pay forward the mentorship we received and to show that the bonds and lessons forged here extend far beyond our school years,” he said.

Merril said the clinic reflects the club mission to channel alumni experience into meaningful community impact while instilling rugby’s core values of discipline, integrity, solidarity and respect among young players. The event’s success was also attributed to the cooperation of teachers from both schools, whose involvement underscored a shared commitment to holistic education, where sports play a role in nurturing discipline, teamwork and leadership.

Beyond technical training, the session also fostered inter-school friendships as students from the two institutions trained together in a unified environment. Wolfpack Coaching and Development Committee member Felexion Lenggai said the club remains committed to building a sustainable pathway for young athletes.

“Through passion and purposeful action, Wolfpack continues to solidify its position as one of Sarawak’s most progressive rugby organisations. We are dedicated to developing future-ready athletes and leaders, ensuring the sport continues to inspire and empower communities across Sarawak,” he said.

Looking ahead, the club aims to strengthen progression opportunities for school players to advance into competitive club rugby and eventually to state and national representation.