TUARAN: July 6, 2026 – Behind the jubilant cheers of Storm Breakers Rugby Club (SBRC) as they lifted the Boys Under-14 (Tackle) championship trophy at the inaugural Mayor’s Cup lies a story of determination, sacrifice and belief from a small team that built its success against the odds.
Unlike many of their rivals, Storm Breakers have neither a permanent coach nor substantial funding. Yet these shortcomings have never dampened the spirit of players and management alike.
The club’s president, who also doubles as head coach, said the victory was not merely a success on the pitch but a testament to the commitment of every individual who believed that hard work never betrays its reward.
“Without the fighting spirit of these boys and the unwavering support of their parents, we would not have won this tournament. What impresses me most is their courage – they faced physically larger opponents and showed no fear whatsoever,” he said.
He added that the assistance received from TV Sabah, through a sponsorship of playing jerseys, had come at exactly the right time and provided a major boost to the whole squad.
“Our biggest challenge has always been securing funding. Only God knows how grateful I was when TV Sabah came forward to help this club. From the very first day I contacted them, they believed in Storm Breakers. This sponsorship made the players so happy and proud to wear the TV Sabah name when they took to the field,” he added.
Beyond financial difficulties, SBRC have also struggled with the absence of a permanent coach. To ensure training continued uninterrupted, the president himself took on coaching responsibilities alongside the club’s vice-president.
Their dedication eventually paid off when several senior players and experienced coaches stepped in to help deliver skills and fitness training to the team.
Although training could only be held at weekends – because the players come from different schools with varying academic schedules – their commitment never wavered.
“These boys were willing to turn up both in the morning and afternoon every Saturday and Sunday. It was during that limited training time that they learned new skills, built their confidence and overcame their fear of facing opponents,” he said.
He said the championship win proved that discipline, determination and team spirit could overcome any shortcoming.
He also stressed that SBRC have no intention of resting on their laurels; instead, they will continue to raise the standard of training, strengthen players’ fitness and skill levels, and expand their grassroots development programmes to nurture more young talent.
Storm Breakers Rugby Club, based in Tuaran, was established to provide a platform for young people to develop their talents in rugby while building character, discipline and leadership qualities.
For SBRC, victory at the Mayor’s Cup is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a bigger dream – to produce quality players capable of bringing honour to Sabah in the years to come.
