None in my family tree every played rugby. The same thing goes to my other half. But of all the people in our family, Alistair plays rugby!! And he had been playing rugby since he was in primary 5. Can you believe that? I think his daddy almost had a stroke when he found out that his only son is very active in rugby. Initially, we pleaded him not to continue playing rubgy simply because to our understanding rugby is such a violent and agressive game that requires heavily body contact. But to Alistair, he just keep his ear close and pretend as if we are okay with it.
The reason being why we are against it initially was because Alistair is not a big built up person but rather quite a skinny young man (by the way he is only 14 years old). I am so worried that everytime he pplayed rugby, he would break his bones. Oh yaa!! indeed his right collar bone was fractured last year (year 2008) during one his practises. Still, it did not dampened his spirit to continue playing. He only rested about 6 months then after that there he goes playing for the school again.
After an exaustive and unsuccessful talking to him, we give up. Instead, we started to follow him to his rugby tournament and after watching the game for some time, I realised that it was not too bad after all. What is requires is a good practising and knowledge of the game. Yep.. Alistair is one of those young boy being given the opportunity to learn rugby in his school and I think he was being groomed then onward. No wonder, everytime there is tournament, all the rugby coaches will look for Alistair coz they know that he plays well.
Recently, we follow Alistair and his team (St. Michael school) to Sandakan for the IJM Rugby Tournament. We stayed there for the whole 3 days to watch them play. Am so proud of the team coz they play so well and got 2nd placing outbeating the every popular la salle boys, the MRSM, also the sabah college and also the Teknik kenignau boys.
At the end of the day, rugby is just one of the game and if it is done properly, I believe Alistair will be fine. I guess, we just need to put our utmost trust in him though as parents the fear is always there. But we know that he love this game very much therefore, we will support him throughout!
My only thought about this game is that it will inculcate some form of learning not only the skill but also the disciplining, patience and tolerance to Alistair. He will require a lot of understanding of this game in order for him to play well especially when a lot of body contact happening. My only hope is that Alistair will continually improve his skill and at same time do well academically.
