With the SRU National Leagues already kicked off, we will be doing an exclusive feature of each Premiership Club each week. This week, we will be focusing on the Bedok Kings Rugby Football Club!

The Kings Are Ready To Reclaim Their Throne

“It’s GOOD to be a KING”. No one would dare argue otherwise. The motto of Bedok King’s Rugby Football Club (BKRFC) is backed by the great success that the club has enjoyed throughout its stay in the top flight of Singapore Men’s 15s rugby. Over the course of its 21 years in the Premiership since its inception in 1996, the Kings have won an astounding 7 Premiership Finals titles, which is no mean feat especially considering the relative youth of the club.

The quality of rugby that the Kings offer is evident in not just its success in the premiership, but by the exploits of its players in the national team. The club has served as a pipeline of talent to the national team over the years, its players consistently being called up to don the red and white of Singapore. In fact, as recently as this month, 8 players from BKRFC travelled with the national squad to Taiwan to compete in the Asia Rugby Championship Division 2, emerging as champions.

Many of these players that have stepped up to the rigours of international rugby were groomed by the club’s training, having worked their way up through the ranks at the club. Two more products of the King’s assembly line to keep an eye on this Premiership season are Hooker Ryan Sek and Lock David Tral, who have been highlighted to hit the ground running and make an impression.

The Kings seem to have a penchant for breeding leaders as well as players, producing 6 national team captains over the past 20 years, more than any other club. This illustrious list includes the present President of the SRU, Terrence Khoo, as well as current Singapore captain Gaspar Tan.

One person who is eager for the coming season is club captain Russell Wong, who believes that the team is in good shape.

“The preseason preparation has been very decent. We managed to get in many friendlies and will be hoping to utilise the chemistry and know how that we gained. Fitness, handling, team shape and patterns have all been drilled into the players. Right now, there is a great atmosphere in the air, somewhere between electricity and optimism.”

Emulating these sentiments is Bedok Kings Head Coach Mark Lee, who has high hopes for his charges.

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s season as some of the players have come of age. The boys have worked really hard through the pre-season and they’re raring to go. A measure of success will be reaching the finals and doing well.”

On the mentality of the players going in to this season, he added, “The boys were inspired by the fact that the finals was played at the national stadium last season and how it was played out right till the end. Anything is possible if you put your hard work, heart and soul into it.”

As the season kicks-off, it would be unwise to bet against the Kings reclaiming their crown as champions once again.

Another Kings team that can never be written off is the Bedok Kings Skyllas, competing in the Women’s Premiership. Taking the rugby scene by storm despite their youth, the Skyllas ladies have been a constant challenger for the league title since their formation in 2011. Their growing presence in the Singapore rugby scene is clear, the club fielding not just one but two teams in the national league. Coming close to victory last season in a tight loss to the Black’s Women in the finals, they are back and more motivated than ever to reclaim the trophy.

Head Coach Muhammad Zaki is happy with the preparations leading up to the tournament, and is optimistic for the season ahead.

“Pre-season has been great for us. The atmosphere at training sessions has been very positive, with the players really challenging and pushing each other to be better.”

Aiming high, he expects both Skyllas teams to make an impression this season and show what they are worth.

“Our aim is to be in the finals. We want to see both teams from the club being competitive in every match for this season. We have a few young and new players that are ready to make an impact. Most importantly, we want the players to go out there, showcase their talent and enjoy the game.”

If anything is certain, it is that the Bedok Kings Skyllas are ready to play some great rugby this season, and are bound to be a pleasure to watch.