Second season is underway with the Varsity rugby/touch teams finalized. With the girls gaining a bronze and the boys finishing in 4th place last year, they are bound to be hungry for a gold medal. Already three weeks into the season, both teams have the pre-IASAS exchange to look forward to next weekend. The girls will be traveling to Singapore for the All Asian Schools Touch tournament while the boys travel to Jakarta International School.

Both teams have already begun their tough training regimens in preparation for IASAS touch and rugby which will take place February 2015 in Bangkok. IASAS last year was supposed to take place in Bangkok, but due to the political demonstrations it was moved to Singapore. The Panthers are hungry to finally to host IASAS rugby/touch as well as swimming.

The boys’ team captains, Daniel Long (12) and Dylan Harvey (12) optimistically said “We are a younger and less experienced team this year but with the progress we are currently making, we will be much stronger and more prepared by the time IASAS comes around.”

On the other hand, the girls’ team captains, Makena Emery (12) and Tori Alexander (12) had more to share about their team. They described the team as being relatively new this year, having lost six players from last year’s IASAS team. Tori claims that “they are very fortunate to have so many amazing and experienced touch players come up from JV as well as some new players who are learning the sport very quickly.”

When asked what food she would describe this year’s touch team with, Tori immediately thought of the candy Pop Rocks. Similar to Pop Rocks, she  expressed how at first glance, the team appears pretty normal, once you get to know the girls you realize how weird and fun everyone is. Both Makena and Tori believe the girls team will be a strong competitor at IASAS.

With home IASAS approaching, we wish all the ISB Panther rugby/touch players the best of luck with their preparations.

Becky Bradley