Milestone Symbolic MoU Signing Between SEARF and Multiple Unions To Take Place Before WRWC 2025 in London

The SEARF (Southeast Asia Rugby Federation) will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with multiple rugby unions in London on Thursday, September 25, just days before the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

The unions set to sign MoUs with SEARF include: the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), Chinese Taipei Rugby Football Union (CTRFU), Guam Rugby Union (GRU), Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) and Korea Rugby Union (KRU).

The Southeast Asia Rugby Federation was established in May 2025 and includes the Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand national rugby unions.

The SEARF’s main goal is to promote the growth of rugby in Southeast Asia at both grassroots and elite levels. This includes fostering closer cooperation in regional competitions and strengthening collaboration amongst its member unions.

Confirmed attendees:

• Pol. Lt. Col. Kunthon Prachuabmoh (President, Southeast Asia Rugby Federation and Thai Rugby Union)
• Jeffry Chang (President, Chinese Taipei Rugby Football Union)
• Steve Grantham (Treasurer, Guam Rugby Football Union)
• Christopher Brooke (Chairman, Hong Kong China Rugby Football Union)
• Masato Tsuchida (President, Japan Rugby Football Union)
• Seong Won Sara Park (Vice President, Korea Rugby Union)

We are also informed that additional representatives might be in attendance from other unions and from World Rugby.

Update – the Thai Rugby Union (TRU) confirmed online that China is considering signing, but has recently appointed a new president.

Other confirmed attendees this week are:

• Sunny Seah, President of the Singapore Rugby Union
• Ada Milby, President of the Philippine Rugby Football Union
• Fahmy Jalil, Vice President of the Malaysia Rugby Union
• Yudha Ramon, representative of the Indonesia Rugby Union
• Xouchai Panyanouvong, Board Member of the Lao Rugby Federation
• Representative of the Brunei Rugby Federation

What the Unions Are Saying

Japan Rugby Football Union

The Japan Rugby Football Union said online that they will “sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southeast Asia Rugby Federation (SEARF) with the express aim of strengthening cooperation with SEARF member unions for the further development of rugby across Asia.”

Initiatives will include the exchange and development of referees, coaches, players, and staff across the region.

The key commitments of the MOU are to:

• Foster closer cooperation in rugby development
• Share knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve high performance in rugby
• Develop joint initiatives that will raise and sustain the competitive level & growth of rugby in the region

Chinese Taipei Rugby Union

The Chinese Taipei Rugby Union said online (via a translation tool), “We will sign an MoU with the Southeast Asian Rugby Federation. This agreement is an important first step in the joint push to strengthen international competitiveness by establishing a systematic foundation for development, promoting close cooperation in mutual rugby development, and strengthening regional rugby development.”

Hong Kong China Rugby

The HKCR posted online, “Later this week, HKCR will meet members of the Southeast Asia Rugby Federation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, with the goal of strengthening rugby development across the region.”

Korea Rugby Union

In addition to what the other unions said, the KRU added that they want to discuss how to mutually promote rugby development and that the agreement is an important first step for joint development with Southeast Asia.

Singapore Rugby Union

The Singapore Rugby Union, who are a founding member of the SEARF, added, “The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) is proud to announce that the Southeast Asia Rugby Federation (SEARF), of which Singapore Rugby is a member, will be signing a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Rugby Unions in Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Japan, and Korea. This collaborative initiative aims to accelerate the growth and development of rugby across Asia.

Some of the tournaments already benefiting from the SEARF and cooperation with other federations are the Unions Cup 15-a-side Men’s competition, which is expanding in 2026, and a new SEARF Women’s 15s Championship launching in 2026.

Rugby Asia 247 will be there this week at the MoU event, so stay tuned!

Asian Rugby Development News

• Southeast Asia Rugby Federation Formed.
• The Philippines Men Crowned Unions Cup 2025 Champions.
• Guam To Join the Expanded Unions Cup from 2026.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and JRFU Extend MoU on Scrum Project.