| Maritime Academy of Asia Pacific (MAAP) Warriors |
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About the MAAP Warriors
Starting as an exercise to instill discipline and teamwork in his students Rick Hartley (now the Vice President of the Philippine Rugby Football Union) found the class enjoyed the game so much that they spend more time on the pitch than they did in the classroom. They even found time to train on board the ship they study on. Downside is when a ball goes in to touch it stays there !!!
In such a short time the Philippine Warriors have developed a very good reputation for discipline, determination and physical fitness. They are a well respected team both on and off the field that will add considerably to the development of Rugby Union within the Philippines. The Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) is a leading institution of excellence in maritime education and training in the Philippines.
In June 2004 a very successful and enjoyable Development program was conducted at the Philippine National Police Academy in which both Academy and Warrior Players took to the field with much enthusiasm. More of these activities are planned with them and the Philippine Military Academy. Visit Website: www.maap.edu.ph History
As well as being active in the many tournaments now being played, The Alabang Eagles Tournament, The Manila 10’s, The International Schools & Hidden Valley Touch Tournament, the Warriors will also take their place along side the Alabang Eagles, The Nomads and a team from the Makati District in the inaugural Philippine Men’s 15 a side competition, set to start in September 2004. With the focus on the Men’s competition the Warriors have also to consider some invitations to participate in overseas tournaments.
At the same time as the boys were winning their honours on the field our girl’s team were also doing well in their touch rugby competition. They even had a go at full contact rugby with mixed results….!!
Leadership CommitteeHead of MAAP Admiral Eduardo R. Santos Retired (PRFU President) |
Rugby Union has been played in the Philippines for a long time, mostly by expatriates from Rugby Union playing countries working in the Philippines. That is until August 2002 when the MAAP Rugby Football Club consisting of midshipmen and women completing their scholarships in full-degree Maritime Studies in the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) took to the field as the Philippine Warriors.
With help from volunteers like Murray Domb, the Warriors have been built into a club that aims to expose its members to various international cultures and sporting interactions which help to better equip them for their maritime careers.
As players of Rugby Union the Warriors have become role models for younger players and children and are active in building and promoting the game to schools and Orphanages in the region. The boys at the Bahay Bata Orphanage in Hidden Vale especially look up to “their heroes from MAAP”. This might be a burden to some but Rick Hartley believes this is a role his charges can fulfill admirably, not just from their experience on the field but the dedication from the various instructors within the college who have molded these people into very well rounded, responsible adults.
Since inception the team has been active in many tournaments. In 2003 they became the first ever all Filipino Rugby Union team to play in the Manila 10s International Rugby Tournament. While all reports showed they acquitted themselves well, their participation in the 2004 tournament “…demonstrated a significant improvement in skill and ability” posing a real challenge to expatriate teams from around the globe.
While still only a fledgling club themselves and with scoring points and winning games the main goal of any aspiring Rugby Union team, the Warriors have found time to promote and develop the game in a number of important areas.