YES WE PLAY RUGBY UNION IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!!!

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http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2006/08/08/feat/pot.bellied.pigs.marauding.into.town!.html

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Pot Bellied Pigs marauding into town!
By Dennis Dungao

THE word is definitely out... this is what sports and non-sports enthusiasts in AngelesCity have been anticipating, The 3rd Fat Boy's 10's 2006 International Rugby.

Characterized by slapstick and good-humored playing style, the Pot Bellied Pigs, the prime movers of The 3rd Fat Boy's 10's 2006 International Rugby, are to Asian Rugby, what the Harlem Globetrotter's are to American Basketball... but perhaps without their physique, agility and skill levels.

The Pot Bellies were originally formed in 1997 with their first tour of Manila in the same year. The idea was to become a touring rugby team with a mission... "Put the PINK back into rugby." This first tour was the "love child" of a drunken meeting of minds between "Freddie the Clock" and "Haughty the Amah- slayer." The touring squad was composed entirely of social (drunkard) players sourced out from Hong Kong's various clubs. The inaugural game was against the Manila Nomads. Since inception, the Pot Bellied Pig's have gone from strength to strength with a formal club structure established in 2001. The Pot Bellied Pigs are now predominantly a touring side, which draws on like-minded rugby players from clubs all over Asia and beyond who adhere to the true amateur spirit of the game. The Pot Bellied Pigs attend rugby tournaments held in many cities in Asia, including, Manila, Jakarta, Phuket, Bangkok, Macau, Bali, Pattaya, Seoul, Phnom Penh, and Hat Yai.

The Pot Bellied Pig's are tournament favorites throughout Asia, resplendent in their tours which is different from every tour, with uniforms always a combination of the club's color pink, lime green, yellow and blue. The recent award of the most "Social" team at the 2004 Manila 10's illustrates the regard in which the rugby community holds the Pigs. Today the Pot Bellied Pig's have developed into an Asian touring club. The club has members living in all the far - flung corners of the world, from the Ukraine to Texas and from the OrkneyIsland to Tasmania. These absent Pigs do their best to attend at least one tour a year. The Pot Bellied Pig's have recently begun to win a few games on a regular basis reaching the semi final of the Plate competition in the Manila 10's in 2003, winning the Plate Competition in the Jakarta 10's 2002, and in 2004 winning the ball at the Manila 10's and being runners - up in the bowl at the Phuket 10's.

The pinnacle of The Pot-bellied Pigs' potted history is to hold its very own “FAT BOY'S 10'S” tournament in Angeles City, Philippines annually. This is a charity event with the two nominated charities being the Bahay Bata Orphanage, a Rotary for street kids in AngelesCity, and the Philippine Rugby Football Union Development Fund.

The 3rd Fat Boy's 10's 2006 International Rugby is an eclectic mix of teams- an international one at that, as the NOMADS RFC, ALABANG EAGLE'S, HKFC LUVANDALS, THE OLD BILL, MAKATI WOLVES, PJ PACKERS, SEOUL BARBARIANS (KOREA), MYSTERIOUS HOUND DOGS, BANGKOK BANGERS, and PHILIPPINE WARRIOR (MARINE ACADEMY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC) were expected to compete.

The Angeles City Alliance, a unique group of Bars and Restaurant working together to bring the AngelesCity tourism at its the best in dining and after dinner partying, led by Subdelicious Restaurant, do welcome the FAT BOY'S 10. They were known to host this comical group every time they're in town. Come and join the Fat Boy's weigh-in on the 2nd floor at SubDelicious on AUGUST 25TH from 7 p.m. till late.

The success of the Pot-bellied Pigs' 2nd FAT BOY'S 10'S 2006 INTERNATIONAL RUGBY last year was so tremendous that this year there is an increase from 10 teams to 16 teams. Watch the fun and learn the art of the FAT BOY'S style of sport. Everybody is welcome, as entrance is FREE!!!! The Kick-off and fun begins on August 26, 2006 from 8am until 6pm; see you all at the Challenger Field, Clark Special Economic Zone.

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NOTE THE FB 10’s is about helping the ongoing expences of the BAHAY BATA CENTRE check them out:

http://www.angelesstreetkids.org/library/inaguration.htm

http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/rugby-talk.cfm

Fat Boys set to roll once more

Fun and funding will once again be the themes when the Pot Bellied Pigs stage the “Third Inaugural, International, Invitational Fat Boys TENS III” at Clarke Airbase in Angeles City, the Philippines, on August 26.

As in previous years, money raised will go towards the Bahay Bata Centre for Street Children in Angeles City and the Philippines Rugby Union Development Fund.

“The Centre for Street Children was opened by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 but it requires constant funding to keep it afloat,” says Pigs club secretary Mike Hampton.

“We need to keep reminding ourselves that children are our future and that it is vitally important to help these underprivileged and neglected youngsters who cry out for a little help.”

The Philippines Rugby Union, meanwhile, uses its share of the proceeds to spread rugby among the Filipino community – an initiative that has produced excellent results in recent years.

Last year’s Fat Boys Tens – featuring teams from the Philippines and overseas – raised $HK150,000 for the twin causes.

Pigs chairman Alun Grassick and corporate liaison officer Anson Bailey paid a special visit to the Bahay Bata Centre in December to present a cheque. Says Bailey: “We were treated to a special dance and singing performance by the children and, more importantly, we saw so many happy, smiling little faces.”

Almost all team places are taken for this year’s Fat Boys Tens – SPONSORED BY THE LAW FIRM Tanner De Witt and Clariant (China Ltd) – so Bailey’s advice is: “Act now!” In addition, he is happy to accept individual or company donations.

For more information, contact Anson Bailey on 93825797 or visit www.potbellies.org