Jakarta Komodos Junior Rugby Club present new kits, thank sponsors at charity BBQ

The Jakarta Komodos Junior Rugby Club (JKJRC) were delighted to present players and coaches with their new playing kits and extend our appreciation to our generous sponsors during a ‘thank-you BBQ’ over the weekend. The new-look jerseys feature different sponsors in three categories, namely our age-group junior sides, a development side comprising local children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and a team of young women from the Mama Sayang Orphanage.

PT AIG Insurance Indonesia has been named as the primary sponsor of the Jakarta Komodos’ age-group junior teams for the 2016-17 season.

“We are delighted that PT AIG Insurance Indonesia is our main-stream sponsor,” said JKJR chairman Jess Djamhoer. “We see this as being a very positive partnership as we share the same ideals, namely diversity, inclusiveness and achievement.”

Jon-Paul Jones, Chief Executive Officer of PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, said the company was delighted to be named the primary sponsor of the Club, which promotes and develops grassroots rugby in the world’s largest archipelago.

“PT AIG Insurance Indonesia is happy to support the Komodos, and be part of the ground-up effort to grow the love for rugby from a young age,” Jones said. “The Komodos is a prominent household name in Indonesia, and the partnership is our contribution to rugby’s global growth and our endeavour to bring greater visibility to the sport.”

PT AIG Insurance Indonesia joins a long list of sponsors who have contributed to the development of rugby in Indonesia. Other companies named as sponsors of the Jakarta Komodos for the 2016/17 season include Danone (Aqua and Mizone), logistics company DHL, valve testing and repair equipment provider Kontrol Indo Raya, mining services company Britmindo, PT Macmahon Mining Services, recruitment company Robert Walters, PT. Lobo Hachoi Mineral, business consultancy ACH Management Co. Ltd, Total Indonesie, professional services consultancy Beca, Priscilla Hall Memorial Foundation and Brticham’s Giving Kids A Sporting Chance.

The Komodos, who launched their junior season on September 3, have teams ranging in age from the Under 7s up to the Under 18s. In addition, the rugby club has an outreach development programme that encourages the development of rugby in more marginalised groups in Indonesia. The club is proud of producing one of Indonesia’s first women’s’ teams, comprised of players from the Mama Sayang orphanage, as well as introducing the great game to a number of children from near the club’s training grounds in Jagorawi.

Stephen Nye, president director of Britmindo, said the mining services company was proud to continue its sponsorship of Indonesian rugby. Britmindo have previously been involved in the support and development of a number of Indonesian teams, including the Indonesian Navy Rugby Club, as well as men’s and women’s national teams.

“Britmindo is now focused on assisting the Kranggan kids and the Jakarta Komodos Junior Rugby Club,” Stephen said. “The Indonesian rugby scene has continued its impressive growth over the last few years, which would not be possible without the efforts of coaches, parents, supporters and particularly the sponsors who dig deep to support the wonderful game of rugby.”

The British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham) is the only Chamber to have established and maintained a community portfolio – Giving Kids a Sporting Chance. Executive Director Chris Wren said that over the course of 6 years, BritCham had been able to provide personal development opportunities through sport to more than 3,000 children with linkages to football, cricket, hockey and now rugby.

“We launched our interest in rugby at our Sports Gala Night two years ago. In partnership with the Precilla Hall Foundation, we are pleased to be supporting the Komodos and ‘Get into Rugby’ in general, and the Mama Sayang School in particular,” Wren said. “BritCham’s decision to support kids and rugby development is intended to be long term. Two premium fund-raising events per annum mean that BritCham can continue to selectively support other sports projects that target Indonesian kids that do not usually have access to organized sport.”

Ahmed Fawzi of ACH Management said the quantity surveying, project-management and construction consulting company was proud to be sponsoring the JKJRC, “as we have been strong supporters of junior rugby within the region for more than 13 years with involvement within Thailand, Malaysia and now Indonesia.”

Tri Anggraeni, a Certified Supply Chain Specialist (CSCS) with DHL Supply Chain, said DHL’s sponsorships of junior rugby was a perfect match with the spirt of the DHL Living Responsibility Program, particularly the GoTeach Pillar that fostered education.

“We have been involved with the Komodos for a number of years and have been impressed by the spirit of the club, its players and supporters who not only love the game of rugby but also love developing the game among more marginalised groups of children,” Tri said. “The Komodos aim to develop children through rugby and we are happy to help play a role in achieving this.”

Farida Ariyanti, president director of Kontrol Indo Raya, said the company had benefited from its involvement with the Komodos since 2012.

“Apart from the rugby skills that the kids learn, it has been great to watch all the children, regardless of their backgrounds, become great mates! These bonds that are made in a rugby team will last a lifetime as friendships continue to develop on and off the field,” Farida said.

She said that rugby taught children genuine respect, whether that was for a team mate, the referee or an opponent. “Shaking the opposition’s hand after every game, regardless of the result, is excellent to see. Respect of this kind is becoming rare in this day-and-age that it’s fantastic to be part of a community that holds it as such a core value. Go Komodos!”

Michael Fisher, president director of PT Macmahon Mining Services, said the company was pleased to be part of the Jakarta Komodos Junior Rugby Club for the first time. “We look forward to being part of the Junior Komodos for many years to come.”