KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of new categories in the 2024 Super Schools Rugby (SSR) competition is set to boost the development of the sport in Malaysia.
The ninth edition of the Enervive Sports-sponsored championship, scheduled for June, is set to create history with the participation of a record 20 teams, including defending champions Victoria Institution (VI), former champions Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), and SMS Hulu Selangor (SEMASHUR).
The SSR has also introduced a new category - the Super Schools Rugby Academy Division, featuring seven sports schools, rugby academies, and sports project schools such as Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School and Pahang Sports School.
The goal of this new category is to provide a platform for the development of the best 15-a-side rugby through exposure to matches and competitive action.
Speaking at the launch event, Enervive Sports Chief Executive Officer Shahrizin Shaharudin said the tournament is a crucial stepping stone in local rugby development.
"This championship is important in the local rugby development landscape as it remains the only national-level 15-a-side rugby tournament held outside the Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) calendar," said Shahrizin.
"Furthermore, we hope the addition of new divisions will continue to enhance the quality of tournament organization while producing more new talents to be identified and absorbed into senior teams."
For the record, the SSR is a national-level 15-a-side rugby tournament for Under-17s, featuring schools with a rich tradition of rugby sports and strengthened by an integrated ecosystem with the support of parents and alumni.
Super Schools division:
Group A: SMK King Edward VII, Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, SMS Sultan Mahmud, Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, SMK Abi.
Group B: Victoria Institution, Sekolah Dato Abdul Razak, Kolej Yayasan Saad, Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Maktab Rendah Sains MARA Balik Pulau.
Group C: SMS Hulu Selangor, Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, SMS Tuanku Syed Putra, SMS Selangor, SMK Sultan Yahya Petra (1).
Group D: Maktab Tentera Diraja, Kolej Melayu Kuala Kangsar, SMK Tinggi Bukit Mertajam, SMS Pokok Sena SBPI Gombak.
Academy Division:
Group X: Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Akademi Ragbi Selangor, Akademi Ragbi Terengganu, Akademi Ragbi Melaka.
Group Y: Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang, SMK Hosba, SMK Tinggi Batu Pahat
