Balikpapan Bears

We had an excellent training session yesterday, 20 people on the pitch... good game but 2 knee injuries have been reported.

Regarding the rules; let's try to sum up some that could be followed a little more...

- Defense distance after a touch: defense line shall immediately reverse 5 meters as soon as the touch is done. It means clearly that defense do not touch again (even if attack has re-started)  unless it has been doing the effort to come back at 5 meters. The defense line shall be reversing quickly, not at walking speed.

- 5 meters from the score line: When the game is paused (for a touch or else) within 5 meters from the score line, the attack team must reverse 5 meters from the score line prior to restart the game, and the defense team must be standing ON the score line at this moment.

- Attack team being touched: must come back where it was touched prior to restart the game. The ball holder is often moving 2 or 3 meters passed the touch location. He must not start the game where he ends his run but back to where he was touched.

Congratulations on Balikpapan Bears participation to Jakarta 10’s tournament, and thanks to our partners for their help.

It was a tough day for all of us, very hard job, with several injuries (especially Hugo), some disappointment also … but we had a lot of fun and we have got a good experience for next year.

In addition to our JKT 10s dedicated photo folder, there are other pictures and a good summary of the tournament on Jakarta Komodo website (Indonesian rugby Clubs Link).

As Hugo is used to say, now it is time for “BINOUZE !”

READY TO GO ???

Who are we ?

Managed by expatriates (from the Oil industry mainly), the Balikpapan Rugby Team is composed of both Indonesian and expatriates players, from all levels and experience. For the past few years, we regularly participated in Indonesian rugby tournaments under the Indonesian Rugby Union frame (Website: http://indonesiarugbyunion.pitchero.com).

Our main objective is to promote the practice of rugby in Kalimantan. Our achievements from the past years are really good. We are proud to count in our team Indonesian players regularly selected in the National squad (Indonesian Rhino's) during the Asian 5 Nations tournament and RWC qualification.

Our recent history:

2007: Participation in Bali 10's and Willy Cup. National selection of Victor and Ujuh. Victor played 2 games against Laos & Cambodia in Jakarta.

2008: Participation in Bali 10's, Jakarta 10's , organisation of Willy Cup and Jubilee game in BPN.

2009: Participation in Bandung and Jakarta 10's. National selection of Victor, Ribut, Deny & Bambang for 1 week IRFU training camp in Jakarta. Victor and Ribut went to Manilla to play with Rhino's against Iran and Guam. Finally, as part of the traditional Jubilee event for leaving players we played against Sengata team in Balikpapan.

2010: Several experienced players left Indonesia but we succeeded to incorporate new Indonesian and Expat players and maintain a competitive team. In April 2010, we organized the Anzac Day Cup with the Borneo Bears Australian Rules Football Club, where we played (and won) against the Sengata Team. In May 2010, we participated to the Jakarta 10's, bravely representing our colors, involving 4 Indonesian players in the team.

2 players (Ribut and Victor) have been selected to participate to one week training camp in Jakarta beginning of June and to play 2 games with the National squad (Rhino’s) during the A5N series on June 12th.

2011: A more irregular season. Nevertheless in April, we were happy to welcome the Anzac Day Cup with the Borneo Bears Australian Rules Football Club.

2012: Following some fresh expatriate recruitments in the summer, training has resumed more seriously. In April 2012 we were proud to welcome the Anzac Day Cup again and played and won against Sengata Hornbills rugby team. Ribut was once again selected to play with the National squad the world cup qualification for Asia series.

Our project for this new season:

The new season started in September 2012, our objectives remain the same, to promote the practice of rugby in Kalimantan and to increase Indonesian participation until autonomy. We want to continue to provide the opportunity to our international players to represent their country through Rhino's selection.

We propose a weekly training every Tuesday at 7.30pm in Total Complex pitch close to Pertamina refinery where everyone is very welcome and individual physic preparation once a week. Regularly we welcome Borneo Bears football club to join us for a common training. We have also started running a section for kids every Sunday from 5:30pm to 7:00pm in Total Complex.

For this season:

We plan to go to Sengata to play a friendly local game with Sengata Hornbills team.

We plan also to organize a common day event with Borneo Bears to play both rugby and Aussie rules football. This event could be open to all interested peoples.

We can organize a family tag competition to promote rugby.

If Borneo Bears plan to organize the 2013 Anzac day cup in Balikpapan, we will be very happy to welcome the event and to participate with a rugby game or demo.

We plan also to participate to Jakarta 10’s competition, beginning of May 2013 (one of the most known tournament in Indonesia), and if achieve a performing fund raising, maybe a second tournament to be defined later (Bali in October...?)

Dear Bears.

After the sad summer where too many experienced Bears (Christian, Eric, Thomas, Philippe, Nicolas, Guillaume) have left their Indonesian retreat, we had some difficulties to start our activity. Result, no Bali 10's 2009, poor numbers of rugbymen on Tuesday night (7.30 pm sharp @ Total Community Center, every week) and less fun.
But we are still alive, some new Indonesian players just join the team, driven by our fresh Indonesian Internationals (Ribut and Victor have been to Manilla to play the Asian 5 Nations with the Rhinos, for a very modest success, that true...)
Before the winter break (for expats), we had a small friendly event with the Borneo Bears, our best (and only) friends, to justify beers and Aussie burgers orgy on a very hot Saturday noon. 
Not enough to play a 10's game, too much to play a 7's, we played height aside for two halves of 10-15 mn under a burning sun.
Thus, 16 beautiful players oiled like a Grandma' Sunday roasted chicken gave a pleasant show to the numerous spectators (around 10-15 people, but more than 4 photographers !!).
To summarize this game:
 - Our old stars realized that after 30 years old, it is difficult to run more than 35m above 35 Celsius
 - New indonesian players showed their potential and/or their virginity facing a tough and rough game ...
 - Our Indonesian Internationals confirmed all the good things we are thinking about them...
... And Mathieu realized the horrible destiny of a lobster, becoming red after 30 min of cooking time.

The Borneo Bears did the same, inviting all the non dead rugby players to practice some Australian Football.

But definitely, the best place to stand on this hot afternoon was close to the Bintang "tireuse", where with a lot of abnegation we succeed to finish the 2nd keg, helped by nice and very interesting girls from the Sun Bears Sanctuary (n'est ce pas Mathieu !!) invited by the "experienced" Borneo Bears (good job guys...)

We hope 2010 will see lots of small friendly events like this one...

See you

Alex 

See the corresponding album for more picts