Bangkok, May 17, 2025 – The South East Asia Rugby Federation (SEARF) is proud to announce its official establishment, marking a significant milestone in the development of rugby across South East Asia. Founded by the Rugby Unions of Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, SEARF aims to foster the growth of rugby at both grassroots and elite levels, promote regional competitions, and strengthen collaboration among member nations.

The SEARF Charter, ratified on this day, outlines the Federation’s commitment to advancing rugby through initiatives such as advocating for Rugby 7s inclusion in every Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), organizing an annual Rugby 15s competition, and establishing regional tournaments like the SEA 7s Series and Union’s Cup. Operating as a collaborative platform under the regulatory frameworks of Asia Rugby and World Rugby, SEARF will serve as a unified voice for South East Asian rugby, promoting healthy competition, community development, and sporting excellence.

DR. Didik Mukrianto, President of Indonesian Rugby, expressed his enthusiastic support for SEARF’s formation, stating, “We warmly welcome and fully support the establishment of the South East Asia Rugby Federation. This is a historic step toward elevating rugby in our region, fostering camaraderie, and providing our athletes with more opportunities to compete and shine on regional and international stages. Indonesia is committed to working closely with our fellow member nations to achieve SEARF’s vision.”

Governed by a Council comprising representatives from each member union, SEARF will prioritize cooperation and development in the sub regional with transparency, integrity, and accountability in all its activities.

SEARF invites rugby enthusiasts, stakeholders, and the public to join in supporting its mission to grow the sport and unite communities through the values of rugby.