THE Negros Island Rugby Club officially branded the team “Negros Hornbills,” named after the endangered bird species endemic to the island.
On October 22, the team presented its jersey to the public at the Negros Biodiversity Conservation Center in Bacolod City.
The homegrown team hopes not only to bring attention to the growing interest in rugby football in the island but also to highlight the plight of the actual hornbills, which face the threat of extinction as their forest homes are being cut down.
“Rugby football here in the Philippines is being developed through ‘Rugby–A Sport for All,’ our grassroots community framework.
Since the members of our home team were born and raised here in Negros, we wanted our team to reflect our sense of community by choosing a native species as our symbol,” said Negros Island Rugby FC manager Anne Marice Sajorne, who also serves as a regional development officer under the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU).
As they wear their new jerseys, the “Negros Hornbills” are ready to win it on the field as they face the Cebu Junior Dragons at the first-ever “Get Into Rugby” Festival this coming October 26, one of the major activities this MassKara season.
This will be the first time a tackle team from Negros will be competing in their home turf. (PR)