The Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (known as COBRA) is a prominent rugby club in Malaysia under the Selangor Rugby Union and Malaysia Rugby Union. Over the years COBRA has produced many outstanding rugby players at the national and state level. Members of COBRA are also active and well represented in the Malaysian Rugby Union, Selangor Rugby Union and the Malaysian Rugby Referees’ Society.

History

COBRA was formed on 8 June 1967 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The main objective of its formation was to facilitate and encourage young Malaysians to continue playing rugby after completing school.

Teams

COBRA fields three rugby teams:

• COBRA Blacks (co
• COBRA Stings (development team)
• Cobrats (junior team)

The COBRA teams train every Tuesdays and Fridays at the Astaka field which is located adjacent to the clubhouse.

The club’s rugby season starts from January to June yearly (for 15 a-side). Then after, COBRA participates in 7 a-side and 10 a-side tournaments organized by the local Unions and several tournaments abroad.

The club currently has 200 active members.

Club Achievements

2011

• The Malaysia Rugby Union Ten-a-side (MRU 10s) - Champion
• The Malaysia Rugby Union National Super League (15s) - Champion
• Negeri Sembilan Royal 7s - Champion
• Putrajaya 7s - Champion

For the year 2011, 7 players from COBRA were represented in the Malaysian rugby team.



2010

• The Malaysia Rugby Union National Super League (15s) - Runner-up

Past Presidents and Current

The club's current president is Mr Boon Hoon Chee who succeeded Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dato' Krishnan Tan who was the club's president for over a decade and played an instrumental part in developing and building its solid foundation.

• 1967-1970 Dr Hui Weng Choon
• 1971 Mohd Asfraff
• 1972 Kim Tai Swee Leng
• 1973-1974 Hussein Yusoff
• 1975 S.Sinnappa
• 1976-1980 Dr Chan Onn Leng
• 1981-1983 Gee Boon Kee
• 1984 Benny K.M. Yeoh
• 1985 Ow Koon Chai
• 1986 Mohd Zain Yusoff
• 1988 Mohd Zain Yusoff / Dennis Pestana
• 1989 Safaruddin Mohd
• 1990-1994 Tan Sri Dato' Seri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas
• 1995-2009 Tan Sri Dato' Krishnan Tan Boon Seng
• 2010 Boon Hoon Chee

Clubhouse

The COBRA Clubhouse is situated at Lorong Utara, along Jalan Utara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, about 15 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur city centre. Through the initiatives of its members, the COBRA Clubhouse was constructed in 1985.



In 2002, the clubhouse underwent extensive renovation to cater to growing needs of members. COBRA is the first rugby club in Malaysia with its own clubhouse.

COBRA Rugby Development Programmes

COBRA is committed to the development of rugby at the grassroots level.

CIMB Foundation COBRA Schools Rugby Development Programme

A programme sanctioned by the Malaysian Rugby Union and approved by the Malaysia Ministry of Education. Activities include – Train the Trainers, Rugby Camps, Coaching Clinics and Rugby 10s competition for schools. The Train the Trainers course is conducted in collaboration with the HSBC Penguin Rugby Academy from United Kingdom. Participants of the course receive Level 1 Coaching Course Certificates accredited by the Malaysian Rugby Union, Malaysian Sports Council and COBRA as well as Penguin’s own certification.

COBRA Financial Assistance Programme

In 2001 COBRA initiated its Financial Assistance Programme. Through the program college students, unemployed fresh graduates or those from the low income group who excel in rugby are given financial support to ensure they are not compelled to withdraw from rugby and their talent not gone to waste.

Home of the 10s

COBRA is the home of 10-a-side rugby or better known as rugby tens

Rugby tens

Rugby tens, also known as ten-a-side and Xs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of ten players, typically five forwards and five backs. Matches are much shorter, often of two ten-minute halves...

. COBRA introduced the world's first rugby tens tournament in 1967 and in 1992 the tournament went international with participation from top club and union sides from around the world. The tournament, the COBRA Rugby Tens

COBRA Rugby Tens

COBRA 10s is the world’s premier rugby tens tournament which is organized annually by the COBRA Rugby Club of Malaysia.The first COBRA 10s tournament was held in Malaysia in 1967...

, is organized annually at the Petaling Jaya Stadium.

National Sports Leadership Award

In 1996, COBRA was awarded the National Sports Leadership Award by the National Sports Council of Malaysia for their contribution towards the promotion and development of rugby in Malaysia.

International Olympic Council Diploma

In 2002, COBRA was awarded the IOC Diploma by the International Olympic Council for its contribution to sports.

External links

• http://www.cobrarugby.com