Domestic League Newsletter - Issue 8

08

JUNE

ISSUE

FREE 2019

THE OFFICAL NEWSLETTER OF THE HONG KONG RUGBY UNION

TRY TIME! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE

FWD SOUTH CHINA TIGERS

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

ROBBIE MCROBBIE

CEO | HONG KONG RUGBY UNION In doing my homework for these welcoming words, I was genuinely surprised by just how much has happened in the last couple of months.

The domestic season climaxed with a buzzing Grand Championship finals day at King’s Park, and congratulations to our KPMG Women’s Premiership and Saxo Capital Markets Men’s Premiership Grand Championship winners, Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers and Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay respectively.

They, along with all the other League, Grand Championship and Individual Award winners were recognised at the HKRU Annual Awards Dinner in May at the Kerry Hotel, a glittering occasion of much friendship, fun and festivity! We then launched into Global Rapid Rugby, and I feel the FWD South China Tigers made a great start on what we hope will be a long term commitment to this exciting new Asian Pacific competition.

Meanwhile our Hong Kong Mixed Touch Team were off to Malaysia for the Touch World Cup, finishing a very creditable 15th, and beating Fiji along the way! Now it’s our contact national teams’ turn, as the Women’s 15s squad head offshore for games against Fiji and Samoa while our men gird their loins to defend their Asia Rugby Championship title, with home and away fixtures against Korea and Malaysia.

So, as you can see, with all that action it’s not just the heat and humidity causing the sweating! Enjoy the read, and thanks for supporting Hong Kong rugby!

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GLOBAL RAPID RUGBY ASIA SHOWCASE SERIES 2019 - THE LAUNCH OF THE FWD SOUTH CHINA TIGERS

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

GLOBAL RAPID RUGBY ASIA SHOWCASE SERIES 2019 THE LAUNCH OF THE FWD SOUTH CHINA TIGERS Hong Kong welcomed a new era of rugby entertainment this year, with billionaire Andrew Forrest’s 2019 Global Rapid Rugby Showcase Series kicking off in March. The innovative new series consisted of fast-paced 70 minute matches featuring new laws which make the game more exciting to play and watch. Power tries, quick set pieces and no kicking for touch from inside the defensive 22, along with live stadium entertainment at every match, kept spectators on the edge of their seats and hungry for more.

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ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

GLOBAL RAPID RUGBY ASIA SHOWCASE SERIES 2019 - THE LAUNCH OF THE FWD SOUTH CHINA TIGERS

“The one minute set piece rule really upped the tempo of the game which is something we’ve been working on in the traditional game too.”

Hong Kong’s representative team, the FWD South China Tigers, led by Head Coach Craig Hammond, featured an impressive lineup of players from the Hong Kong National team, top Premiership players and four international ‘marquee players’: the UK’s alltime leading try scorer Tom Varndell, Fijian Olympic gold medalist Samisoni Viriviri, and Chinese National stars Ma Chong and Liu Jun-kui.

“Credit to the new players that have come in and immersed themselves in the environment. It’s been considerably different for Ma and Liu who don’t speak a word of the Queen’s! But great as well to have Sami and Tom with the pedigree that they’ve come with – they’ve integrated well with the team,” said Andrew Hall, South China Tigers Team Manager.

With just three teams in the Asian showcase (to be followed by the Pacific showcase series), the Tigers were up against the Asia Pacific Dragons, which brings together players from the Pacific Islands and those with heritage in the Islands, and former Super Rugby team, Western Force.

Co-Captains James Cunningham and Liam Slatem who have both been key players for the Hong Kong National 15s side, commanded the South China Tigers in their first trial of the new game.

“It took some adjustment, but it was exciting to learn the new rules and implement a game plan around them.”

– said scrum-half Slatem

The Tigers’ first game on March 29th saw them face the full fury of the Western Force in their hometown of Perth, Australia. The inaugural match of Rapid Rugby lived up to its name, with a total of nine tries and 67 points on the board. Despite making the first impression on the score board, with a penalty kick from Glyn Hughes, the Hong Kong side were eventually outclassed by the Australians and the final score was 45 – 22 to the Western Force. The game also showcased the first ‘Power Try’ of the series – A 9 point try that begins from the attacking team’s own 22, scored by Fijian sensation Masi Dakuwaqa from the Western Force.

On April 21st, the Tigers took their first win of the tournament over the Asia Pacific Dragons. Despite a saturated Aberdeen pitch due to a torrential downpour the day before, they were able to beat their opponents 29-19 thanks to clever game play and strong first half momentum. The Tigers managed four tries in the first half, with speedy fullback Nathan De Thierry getting the first touchdown after a beautiful break. Tries from hot stepper Lewis Warner, HKRU player of the year Luke Van Der Smit and Fijian Samisoni Viriviri followed. A rolling maul by the physically dominant Dragons saw Latu Talakai score the first try for the team. Despite a determined comeback from the Dragons in the second half and a spectacular Power Try after the final whistle (which was later disallowed by TMO), the Singapore-based team fell to the home side.

The following weekend, the Tigers flew to Singapore to face the wrath of a vengeful home team. The Dragons got off to a healthy lead in the first half, with four tries to two, and managed to maintain their lead throughout the game despite a yellow card for Ropate Rinakama for collapsing a Tigers maul. Tigers’ Faizal Solomona scored the opener for the second half, however a penalty goal and then a great running try

finished by Zac Harrison Jones extended the Dragons lead to 20 as full time approached. In a last ditch attempt for the all important bonus point that would keep Tigers in second seeding, Luke Van Der Smit fired a long pass across the field to Jack Neville, who dotted down over the line much to Hong Kong Coach Hammond’s relief. The game finished 41-26 to the Dragons.

The final showdown between Tigers and the Western Force drew the fans to the Aberdeen Stadium once again. But it would only be to watch their team fall to the almighty Australian side, 16-40. Despite a strong start by the Tigers, with points from Hong Kong stalwart Matt Rosslee and a try from agile Liam Slatem, the Western Force would later dominate the match with an impressive four tries to nil in the second half. Forrest’s team emerged undefeated by the end of the tournament. The Tigers were able to claim second place thanks to bonus points.

“It’s been fantastic to expose the players to the next level of rugby and we have learnt a lot about how we need to prepare for next year.”

– said the Tigers’ manager, Andrew Hall “With the lateness of finalising the schedule, and going into the unknown of what the game would demand from a rugby perspective, I think it was a good first step.”

This year’s competition will surely have whet the appetites of the city’s rugby fans and have them ready for more action in 2020 which promises an expanded World Rugby approved tournament of 6 teams from around the Asia Pacific and AUS$1 Million Prize money. Expect to be entertained!

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For more information about our accounting and advisory services, please visit kpmg.com/cn

© 2019 KPMG, a Hong Kong partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International.

TOPIC THE ROAD TO THE ARC

ISSUEISSUE 07 | FEBRUARY 08 | JUNE 2019

THE ROAD TO THE ARC FROM THE PREMIERSHIP, TO GLOBAL RAPID RUGBY, TO THE ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 is turning into a busy year for the Hong Kong rugby players – a World Cup Repechage in France, a competitive Domestic League at home, an introduction to the new Global Rapid Rugby game, and this month, the Asia Rugby Championship. It’s been a long road but this is a tournament the players are familiar with and Hong Kong hearts are set on retaining the trophy from last year.

The 2019 Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) comprises just three teams: Hong Kong, South Korea and Malaysia – Japan is not competing this year due to their involvement at the Rugby World Cup. The competition kicked off on May 18th with Malaysia heading to South Korea. The final game takes place on June 29th with Hong Kong hosting South Korea. Hong Kong’s first match is also against South Korea and will take place on June 8th in Incheon but local fans will have to wait until June 15th to watch the action live at Hong Kong Football Club when the home team will take on Malaysia.

“Our focus this year is to retain the trophy – to go back to back – and we don’t mind saying it either.”

– said Head Coach Andrew Hall Andrew Hall recently stepped into Leigh Jones’ position as Head Coach of the National team.

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“On paper, Korea are probably our main competitor. We have beaten them on the last five occasions so we are on a bit of a run, but we know that on their day they can cause us some real trouble with their pace, power and size, so we have to be ready.”

Despite going into the competition as favourites, Hall and his team have taken no shortcuts in their preparations for the ARC and the recent Global Rapid Rugby Asia Showcase Series has served as vital preparation for the tournament.

“Coming off the back of four tough games is really beneficial to us. It’s normally difficult to jump from the demands of the domestic league to the ARC but the demands of the Rapid Rugby game arguably exceed the those of an ARC game, so from a conditioning perspective, we like to think we are in reasonable shape.”

To assist in preparations, Hall has enlisted FWD South China Tigers Head Coach Craig Hammond into his team, along with Premiership coaches Sam Hocking (defence), Scott Sneddon (backs) and Brett Wilkinson (scrum).

Veteran James Cunningham and livewire Liam Slatem will co-captain the Hong Kong team. While the wider training squad are not all available for the ARC due to eligibility laws, meaning the team will miss certain impact players such as Luke Van Der Smit and Josh Hrstich, Hall remains confident that the core of the team is still strong and that there are some new faces who will add value to the line up.

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

THE ROAD TO THE ARC

“Thankfully we didn’t get too many injuries in the GRR and we still have the spine of the team in players like Liam Slatem and Matt Rosslee. There are a lot of good players up for potential debuts or first ARC and some quality part time guys too so we definitely feel confident.”

Young guns Harry Sayer and Paul Altier are up for potential ARC debuts, as are players such as Faizal Solomona Penesa, Ben Axten-Burrett, Lewis Warner and Grant Kemp.

It’s been a long hard year of rugby for the players and coaching staff but the ARC promises its annual excitement and drama and the home crowd are eager to support the Hong Kong team. With just days to go until the first game, Hall and his team are putting the finishing touches on a year’s preparation.

“The boys are ready, we’re just sharpening the sword now.”

– said Head Coach Andrew Hall

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HKRUCF OLD VS NEW - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEAF PROGRAMME & NEW ADHD PROGRAMME

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

HKRUCF OLD VS NEW 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEAF PROGRAMME & NEW ADHD PROGRAMME The Hong Kong Rugby Union Community Foundation (HKRUCF) operates programmes which aim to use rugby and the HKRU brand to bring about positive change within our community by tackling social issues. After gaining official charity status in 2013, the initiative has excelled and grown into the inspirational organisation that it is today. Over 15,000 participants have benefited from one of the 17 programmes offered by the charity, each one targeting at least one of three key categories: Social Inclusion, Education and Health.

The HKRUCF’s core values are clear:

“All people, whatever their financial situation, employment, ethnicity, gender, or disability, should be able to realise their full potential and participate in society to the fullest.”

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Thanks to a host of sponsorships and donations, the HKRUCF has been able to collaborate with schools and universities, societies and NGOs to provide thousands of Hong Kong citizens with opportunities to integrate into society, foster their personal development, learn English, tackle social issues and participate in sport.

The Foundation runs programmes for wheelchair rugby, disadvantaged and atrisk children, a touch rugby team for Domestic Helpers, and initiatives for the police and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department that aim to steer teens away from a life of drugs and crime, just to name a few.

“I think it’s important for us to run these programmes because rugby can be a great tool for helping people in many ways. Whether it’s something as simple as to keep active or something more complex such as bringing people together, breaking social divides and educating people on the positives of diversity and acceptance of others,” said Stuart Gunn, HKRUCF Inclusive Participation Manager and active member of the HKRU’s community programmes since 2009.

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

HKRUCF OLD VS NEW - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEAF PROGRAMME & NEW ADHD PROGRAMME

One particularly successful area of the HKRUCF is the Deaf Programme, which celebrates its 10 year anniversary this year. The initiative was born in 2009 at Chun Tok School when they hosted the Lutheran School for the Deaf along with some National Men’s 7s players. The opportunity for Hong Kong’s deaf community to interact with rugby players, and learn a new and exciting sport, sparked a flame that remains bright to this day. The tournament is now called the Annual Deaf Rugby Tag Competition and Lutheran School for the Deaf take part every year at King’s Park with the help and participation of volunteers from Standard Chartered who sponsor the event.

In 2015, the HKRU’s Deaf Rugby Programme had the first tour to Cambodia, where they played against Krousar Thmey, a charity that works with deaf youngsters. The tour was a huge success and the team were delighted to travel and meet other deaf rugby players. The message then spread to the Hong Kong Association of the Deaf and the programme received a horde of new participants. In 2016, Krousar Thmey visited Hong Kong to play Tag and Beach rugby.

In 2017, with sponsorship from Laureus Sports For Good Foundation, Winnie Cheung – a member of the HK Derugby programme and player for Kowloon in the KPMG women’s Premiership Domestic Leaguewas employed by the HKRU as a coach for the deaf team and to further develop the initiative. Cheung

has since been a pivotal member and driving force of the programme. She was nominated for the 2018 SCMP Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in recognition of her inspirational resilience and dedication to rugby despite her hearing impairment. Cheung believes that rugby has had a positive impact on her life.

“Rugby has changed my mind to be more positive, no more negative mindset. It has taught me to accept my disability, as it’s only a loss of hearing, not everything. I used to hate being deaf and wore hearing aids before,” she said.

The same year, Cheung and seven men from the deaf programme flew to Australia and competed in the inaugural World Deaf 7s in Sydney. Cheung joined the Australian Women’s team, while the men joined Italy to form a Barbarians team.

“Playing for the Aussie deaf women’s team was an awesome and unforgettable experience. It was nice to meet deaf people from around the world and learn other sign language from them. We are looking forward the next WDR in 2021!”

Since then, the Deaf Programme has expanded even more, with new training programmes being offered to the HK Society for the Deaf and eight more deaf players becoming certified coaches. 11 members of the deaf programme also signed up to rugby clubs and train and play regularly in the domestic league alongside hearing players.

The programme is open to anyone in the city’s deaf community and trainings are held each Friday night at KGV. The programme aims to provide opportunities to become part of the rugby community, grow self-esteem and have more chances to interact with hearing people. It also hopes to improve awareness and understanding for the wider community.

The Foundation have also recently set up a new ADHD programme, led by Kelvin Lam, Inclusive and Participation Officer – Special Educational Needs.

The programme gives students with ADHD the chance to participate in an exciting sport that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork, as well as improving their physical health. The first pilot programme was held this year in partnership with the CUHK Social Works Department. 24 kids with ADHD, aged 7 to 9 years, took part in the programme along with 40 of their parents and 12 siblings.

The programme aims to use rugby to develop the ADHD sufferers’ ability to follow instructions and focus on completing a task. Parents are also taught how to better communicate and understand their child’s needs and learning styles in order to help them form a closer bond.

For information on all of the programmes we run, please visit: www.hkrugby.com/pages/community

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2019 INTERNATIONAL

TOUCH

CHAMPIONSHIP

2-4

AUGUST

2019

KING’S PARK SPORTS GROUND

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

2018-2019 HKRU PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

2018-2019 HKRU PLAYERS OF THE YEAR At the prestigious HKRU Annual Awards dinner on the 3rd May, the rugby community recognised the outstanding achievements of two players who have had an impressive 2018-2019 season in the domestic league. These players were handpicked by the HKRU for displaying excellence in their game as well as embodying rugby’s core values of dedication and sportsmanship.

Q: LS:

Who’s your rugby idol?

Louis Picamoles - just an absolute machine and dominates on the pitch

Q: LS:

Who do you admire most?

My dad has been a huge role model in my life, he is really hard on me when it comes to life and sports in general and I think it’s helped and driven me to always want to improve not only as a rugby player but as a person

Q: LS:

Toughest opponent in the league?

Valley. You know what their game plan is but they execute it really well

2018-2019 SAXO CAPITAL MARKETS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP DOMESTIC LEAGUE MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR LUKE VAN DER SMIT Q: LS:

When and why did you start playing rugby?

I started rugby when I was 5 years old. It’s just the thing you do back home as rugby is so imbedded in South African culture

Q: Favourite rugby moment?

LS: Coming from last place to win the Grand Championship for Sandy Bay last season

LUKE VAN DER SMIT MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Age 24

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Position

Loose forward

Club Team Sandy Bay

Q: LS:

Favourite thing to do on your day off?

Normally wake up on my own time, head to a cafe and smash an Eggs Benedict, after I just ferment on the couch

Q: LS:

Best advice you have ever received?

Repetition is the mother of all wisdom

Q: Favourite cheat meal?

LS: Pizza Q: LS:

If you weren’t a rugby player, you would be…

A mechanic

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2018-2019 HKRU PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

SUZANNE SITTKO Age 31

Position

6/8

Club Team Valley RFC

2018-2019 KPMG WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR SUZANNE SITTKO Q: SS:

When did you start rugby?

2013. I was living in Chengdu and met some girls at the pool one day. They needed more players for their match that weekend and thought I looked athletic

Q: SS:

Who is your rugby idol?

Danny Barrett from the USA 7s team. He is a strong runner, massive tackler and usually the hardest working player on the pitch everything I hope to be

Q: SS:

Q: SS:

Who do you admire most: My dad. He and my mom raised my brothers and I to value hard work, get through failure with a smile, and to pursue kindness and joy in life Toughest opponent in the league?

I’d say Tammy from Gaiwu. She is my least favorite person to tackle, especially near the try line!

Q:

Favourite rugby moment?

SS: The jersey presentation before the Grand Champs this year. There was not a dry eye in the room!

Q: SS:

Favourite thing to do on your day off?

Beach day with my friends

Q: Best advice you have ever received?

SS: “Be sure to look up sometimes.” A friend reminded me to take a step back from the daily grind and be thankful for the day-today moments Q: SS:

Favourite cheat meal?

Sichuan hot pot!

Q:

If you weren’t a rugby player, you would be…?

A youth worker at Young Life! I love getting to work with generous, loving, hilarious humans

SS:

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ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

CHASING THE OLYMPIC DREAM

CHASING THE OLYMPIC DREAM For any sports person, whether you’re a professional swimmer or an avid triathlete, going to Olympic Games is the ultimate dream. ‘Dream’ being the operative word, as for the most part, following in the footsteps of sport superstars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and Simone Biles is exactly that: a fantasy. But what if one day, you had a genuine opportunity to walk into the Olympic Village as one of the pros…

In 2009, the IOC announced that Rugby 7s would be introduced into the 2016 Olympic Games, and Hong Kong took notice. As strong contenders for the top team in Asia, (a method of qualification for the Games) Hong Kong began their quest to reach the world stage and show people what our little city was made of.

However, in the Asian Qualifiers for 2016 Rio Olympics, held in the Hong Kong stadium, the men’s home team suffered a heartbreaking 24-10 defeat to rivals Japan in the finals, and had to watch their Olympic dream slip out of reach for another four years. The Hong Kong women’s team took third place, beating China 12-7 in the 3rd/4th play off and the Sakura Sevens joined their men’s team in first place. Japan became the first Asian team to compete alongside the top 7s teams in the world in Rio. Fast forward four years and Hong Kong face the same Olympic Qualifying tournament, with the top Asian team winning a ticket to the 2020 Olympics in Japan. Hong Kong’s men will take part in the Asian qualifying in Incheon, South Korea, from November 23-24, while the women’s qualifier is in Guangzhou, China, from November 9-10. This year however, hosts Japan are automatically qualified for the Games and won’t be part of the line up.

“I don’t think we will ever have a better opportunity here in Hong Kong to go to the Olympics.”

– said Paul John, Head Coach of the Hong Kong Men’s 7s team

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Coach John was not just referring to the absence of Japan in his high hopes for the Qualifiers; with an Asian Games gold medal in the bag, after the Hong Kong men’s team were able to topple the Japanese side, the team will be going into the competition with an extra boost of confidence.

But that’s not to say it will be easy either. While Coach John is optimistic for November, he recognises the potential threat posed by the other qualifier hopefuls.

“I think Korea will be our main competition, especially as they are likely to have all their players back from Japan and from the army. Sri Lanka are capable of beating anybody on their day too– it all depends on the conditions. China are always improving and obviously Philippines pushed us hard in Hong Kong. Anything can happen in a 7s tournament so I think everyone will feel they have a good opportunity.”

Along with participating in around 10 international tournaments a year, the Hong Kong players have been on grueling strength and conditioning programmes, they have trained for hours out in the blistering heat at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, played for their club teams in the domestic league and been following strict diet plans carefully constructed by the team nutritionist. But there is more to come before the big day, says Coach John.

“We’re 6 months out now and still got two months in Europe lined up, then the Asian Sevens Series, and then another tour in October.

“The opportunity is definitely there but we can’t rest on our laurels as we have done in the past, it’s important that we are in that best condition we can possibly be in, otherwise we will slip up.”

One thing that has definitely progressed since 2016, is the amount of players that now hold Hong Kong passports and are thus qualified to play in the Qualifiers. A year ago, the team only had 13 Hong Kong Passport holders – barely enough to make a full 7s squad, however five players recently acquired S.A.R passports: Lee Jones, Ben Rimene, Max Denmark, Liam Herbert and Hugo Stiles.

“We have about 19 boys with passports now….fair play to them as it’s a massive commitment but it’s been great to increase our depth and make the competition for places in the final squad even harder,” commented John.

Along with renouncing citizenships in order to obtain Hong Kong passports, other members of the national squads have sacrificed corporate careers, deferred overseas university placements or decided to enroll in local universities instead, all in a bid to pursue their Olympic dream.

The Hong Kong women’s 7s team have also been preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime, with new coach Iain Monaghan who only arrived in Hong Kong this January, putting the girls through their paces over the last 5 months.

“It’s great when you inherit a very hard working group of people who probably don’t actually fully believe yet in the potential that they’ve got but it’s there and it’s just a case of realising it,” said Monaghan.

The former Glasgow Warriors coach has been working with the girls to develop their physicality and speed in the game as well as fine tune their mindset towards training at a top level.

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

CHASING THE OLYMPIC DREAM

“As a professional athlete, the Olympics is the biggest thing we can be in. To show that we can compete on a world stage against the best teams in the world would be a huge deal for Hong Kong.”

– said Melody Li, Team Captain

“One really good thing about Iain is that he approaches things more from the mental side.

Even though he wants to improve our skills, it’s more how we start that. He’s also really good at letting us try out new stuff. Even if there are mistakes, he won’t scold us!” said team captain Melody Li, who has been in the national squad since 2012.

After a shaky performance at the Asian Games, (the ladies finished 5th overall), the team have worked tirelessly all year to improve their skills and stamina, resulting in an unprecedented appearance in the Hong Kong Stadium for the Quarter Finals of the World Series Qualifier in April.

“To be in the top 8 of that group is hugely positive for the short time we have been spending in preparing the team, with two new coaches with new ideas, building on existing strengths and developing our current areas of need. If we want to get into the Olympics, we have to measure ourselves in that environment,” said Coach Monaghan.

“Ultimately all we can do is do our best come the time, and our job is to ensure that when it comes our way, we are ready to do that.”

“I think we’ve all grown up watching the Olympic Games … It’s the biggest sporting event in the world and we have an exciting opportunity to be part of it,” said Coach John.

The rugby sevens competition at the Tokyo Games will feature 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams. The top four men’s and women’s teams after this year’s HSBC World Sevens Series will qualify for the Olympics. The remaining eight places will be filled via six regional competitions and a repechage tournament.

With just six months left to go, the men’s and women’s teams are holding nothing back in their preparations for the Olympic Qualifiers in China and their goal to become the first ever Hong Kong rugby players at the Olympics and have their names inscribed in Hong Kong’s sporting history.

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FUNDRAISING GALA DINNER

GERAINT THOMAS 2018 Tour de France Winner

SIR JOHN KIRWAN Former New Zealand Rugby Union Player

DENIS IRWIN Former Manchester United Player

ROB VICKERMAN Former England 7s Captain

CHARLOTTE CASLICK Australian 7s Player and ChildFund Ambassador

DHL and ChildFund Pass It Back invite you to join us in welcoming our “Race to RWC” duo into Hong Kong to celebrate their remarkable journey from London to Tokyo – arriving just in time for Rugby World Cup 2019™.

Friday 23rd August 2019, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong Tickets available from: www.racetorwc.com/events

TM © RWCL 2015

HKRU Community Foundation Sponsors and Partners

Charity Partner of the HKRUCF

BUY NOW!

WRAPPING UP THE 2018/19 PREMIERSHIP SEASON

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

WRAPPING UP THE 2018/19 PREMIERSHIP SEASON The Saxo Capital Markets Men’s Premiership The 2018/19 Saxo Capital Markets Men’s Premiership League culminated in an exciting win for Natixis HKFC when centre Tom Hill scored in the final minute of the game to salvage a 27-27 draw with Societe Generale Valley. The victory was all the more sweet as it was the first time the boys in blue and white had claimed the league silverware since 2011.

Despite Valley’s efforts, including a stunning try from 22-year-old Harry Sayers, an up and coming member of the Hong Kong National squad, it was HKFC that stole the show on the night, with key players Glyn Hughes, Hill, Tom Isaacs and scrum half Jamie Lauder putting points on the board.

Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish managed a 26-7 victory over Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers in their final league match of the season, securing their second place in the final league standings. Valley came third overall – a disappointing result for last year’s Grand Champ winners – while Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay managed fourth overall after a rousing winning streak and nail-biting final game against Kerry Hotels Kowloon which saw them win 29-28. Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers had a disappointing year and finished fifth in the league tables while Kowloon came in last place.

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The Grand Championship final was an unprecedented showdown between Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish – after they managed to topple Valley who were absent from the final for the first time in six seasons – and Brett Wilkinson’s Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay. The former Connacht player, and this year’s HKRU coach of the year, guided his team from the very bottom of the table before Christmas on a seven game winning streak that eventually saw them secure a tense 26-23 win over HK Scottish and lift the trophy on a very rainy night at King’s Park. The Sandy Bay team, led by experienced Captain Gair Currie, were bolstered by key players such as powerhouse Luke Van Der Smit and Dylan Rodgers in the forwards, and 7s stars Seb Brien and Alexander McQueen in the backs.

ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2019

WRAPPING UP THE 2018/19 PREMIERSHIP SEASON

The KPMG Women’s Premiership Societe Generale Valley and Natixis HKFC claimed the KPMG Premiership Top 4 and Premiership A league titles respectively. Despite a 12-5 victory for the Gai Wu Falcons in their final battle against rivals Valley, they lost out on bonus points and were unable to retain their league title from last year. A heart-wrenching moment for coach Lai Yiu-pang and his team of industrious players in Gai Wu, but a welcome celebration for the ladies in black and red after a contentious second place finish in the previous season. Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers came in a comfortable third place while Kowloon trailed in at the bottom of the top four – albeit their first year in the upper division.

Natixis HKFC Ice were thrilled with their win of the Prem A section of the league, a solid nine points above runners up SCAA First Pacific CWB Phoenix.

TRANSACT 24 Taipo Dragon took third place while Plastic Free Seas City Sparkle came last with just 1 point.

Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers claimed their first Premiership Grand Championship trophy in nearly two decades after beating Societe Generale Valley 13-8 in a highly competitive match at King’s Park. Despite a fierce effort from finals regulars Valley, which saw national team prop Jasmine Cheung crash over the line for an early try and even a second half appearance from an injured but determined Bella Milo, it was the Tigers, led by veteran Lindsay Varty, who clawed their way to the top. Tries from speedster Bena Yu and a clever grubber from hooker Lottie Myrans sealed the deal for the team.

Coach Wesley Feausi led his team, Natixis HKFC Ice, to victory in the Prem A Grand Champs. They defeated Transact24 Tai Po Dragons 22-12. Tries from Pinky Chun and Scotland international Elizabeth Musgrove brought HKFC their well deserved win.

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