Singapore – Standard Chartered Bank announces its continued commitment and support to the development of youth rugby in Singapore with a S$850,000 sponsorship – the biggest amount to date dedicated to youth rugby and one of the most significant sponsorships of youth sports locally.

In partnership with the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU), this sponsorship is devoted to youth rugby for a three-year period (2010 – 2013). The funds will be utilised firstly for SRU’s management of outreach programmes in primary and secondary schools and clubs; and secondly for the Standard Chartered National Rugby Academy’s (SCNRA) grooming and coaching of rugby players from under 15 through to 21 for elite competition. The aim of the Bank’s sponsorship is to promote the sport in Singapore and further elevate the standards of the Singapore National Rugby team.

Standard Chartered has been a proud sponsor of youth rugby since 1997 and has contributed more than S$3 million to promote and develop the sport in Singapore. In March 2008, the Bank and the SRU announced a landmark sponsorship agreement for the establishment of the SCNRA, Asia’s first National Rugby Academy to provide elite coaching and player development tailored according to age, physical development and the rigours of the education system.

Ray Ferguson, Regional Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore and Southeast Asia, said:

“Standard Chartered has been a long-term supporter of youth rugby in Singapore because we believe that learning to play the sport is beneficial to the character development of today’s youths. To prepare young people for the future, rugby enables them to learn about leadership, team spirit, courage, sportsmanship, respect for one’s opponents, and friendship. This is essential in the development of a strong character and solid foundation which would help them to succeed in life.

With our continued support, we aim to introduce and further promote the sport to more youths in Singapore and also help to raise the bar for rugby in order to develop it as a national sport.”

Low Teo Ping, President of Singapore Rugby Union added:

“We have been able to nurture and groom young rugby enthusiasts with the help of Standard Chartered’s support for the past 14 years. To date, more than 50,000 youths from 76 neighbourhood schools have benefitted from our programmes. Of these youths, 150 have progressed to become national players representing Singapore.

We are also very encouraged by the level of interest from female players. After training more than 200 female rugby players, we intend to increase this number by providing rugby coaching for girls at seven schools and tertiary institutions in the year ahead.“

In addition, SRU targets to introduce 12 new primary and 12 new secondary schools to Standard Chartered’s “Introduction to Tag Rugby” programme; and provide coaching, technical workshops and rugby clinics to existing rugby playing schools.