The first round of national trials for the Philippines Mens Rugby Union Team (15s) will take place at the Nomad Sports Club in Merville Village this Saturday 22nd April.

The trials will be held on the following two Saturdays, 22nd and 29th of April. There is also an option of holding extra trials on the Sundays of both weekends (venue for sunday game to be confirmed if required).

Time:      3.00pm - 6.00pm
Venue:    Nomad Sports Club, Merville Village
Dates:     Saturday 22nd and 29th April

Players are encouraged to attend both Saturday trials.  Some players have already indicated they cannot attend both Saturdays and this is why trials will be run over two weekends.

The Philippine National Team will be announced on 29th April, after the final trial session.  The National Team Training will then commence that week.

Even those ineligible for selction on the National Team are invited to come down and get involved in the trial games that will be held.

Selection Qualification Criteria
To qualify for selection players need to fulfil one of the following criteria:

• Born in the Philippines, Philippine Passport holder, or
• Have either parent/s and or grandparent/s born in the Philippines (even one grandparent), or
• Have lived/worked in the Philippines for a minimum of 3 years
  

Player Requirements
Players will require the following:

• Passport/Visa details
• Full rugby kit, including runners for fitness testing
• Team/club jersey from local Filipino club
• Spare jersey for trial game (if needed)

Player Subsidy
All national team players will receive a subsidized trip to Guam to play in the Philippines first IRB sanctioned Rugby Union Test match. The amount of subsidy will depend on need. Please note we have invited two Fil-Am players, Clay Luraschi and Jerry Betinol, who are paying their own way out who will not arrive till May 12. They have been told that they will be given a chance to make the team given their qualification as Filipino ancestry and their rugby experience in the U.S. However, they must earn their place on the team.

US Visas
Guam Dates: May 18th - 21st, all players need to have a current passport and visa to enter Guam which is USA territory. The PRFU has contacted the U.S. embassy and requested consideration for early visa interview but you as an individual are responsible for applying for your own U.S. Visa. You must go to the U.S. Embassy Manila website and download the requirements and the application.

The cost of the application is US$100. This will be split between the club and the PRFU but we will not let the cost of the visa stop a player who otherwise would qualify. This information has been disseminated several times but here is the website again. http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhniv1.html

Jay Savage has personal invitation letters in hand signed by the President of the Guam RFU addressed to the U.S. Embassy with your name on it if your club nominated you. You will not need this till your interview date. They will be brought to the trials this Saturday.