On February 15, 2022, The Manila Nomads Rugby Club resumed training sessions after being unable to due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the club has grown in numbers having new experienced and non-experienced ex-pats and players joining the sessions.
The club began its 2022 rugby activities by touring Clark, Philippines, on March 12, 2022. More than 30 club members participated in the training session led by the Clark Jets, followed by friendly matches.
On March 26 and April 2, 2022, the Manila Nomads and Nomads Rogues competed in the PRFU x TAP 2022 Return to Play – Touch Rugby Festival Mixed Open division organized by the Philippine Football Rugby Union (PFRU) and Touch Association Philippines (TAP). The event was held in Circuit Blue Pitch in Makati. This tournament was a great way to warm up and give our new members game time in preparation for the contact tournaments later that year.
After more than two years since games have been played in the country, the PFRU has organized the first contact competition through the Luzon Rugby Cup Leg 1 on April 30, 2022. The event was held in Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. As the first contact competition in more than two years, the PRFU’s main goal was to ensure safety for all and re-engage the Philippine Rugby community. The club fielded three teams for the event: Nomads, Kalabaws, and Rogues. 10 out of the 11 players for the Kalabaws played their first game of rugby. The Nomads earned their first try of the season through a stunning kick chase. Although the teams fell short, we celebrated the return to play and the debutants through post-game socials.
In preparation for the Luzon Rugby Cup Leg 2, the Nomads Rogues and Kalabaws engaged in some friendly matches against the SKF Mavericks on May 14, 2022, in the Alabang Country Club.
The Luzon Rugby Cup Leg 2 took place on May 28, 2022, in the Alabang Country Club. The Kalabaws scored their first try of the season through a great run by Carl Magtanong. The Rogues also won their first game of the season with a 10-7 victory against the Alabang Eagles RFC through the great tries scored by Morena Grierson and Ronalyn Molines. The event was once again followed by post-game socials.
On June 11, 2022, the Nomads Rogues and Kalabaws competed in the Championship division of the Luzon Rugby Cup Leg 3 held in Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. The Rogues faced off against the SKF Mavericks, Clark Jets, and Eagles, while the Kalabaws faced off against the SKF Mavericks, Subic Jets, Ibons and La Liga 2 to close the season.
On June 28, 2022, the Manila Nomads competed in the Premiership Division of the Luzon Rugby Cup Leg 3 held in Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. The Nomads faced off against the SKF Mavericks, Eagles, and Clark Jets. The Nomads Rogues also competed against the Philippines’ newest women’s team, La Liga in two exhibition games. The club celebrated the season through a mid-year social.
The club is proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished through hard work and determination this season and we’re looking forward to the 7s season in August.