|
The Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens (HKWRS) will
be staged as the International Rugby Board (IRB) Women’s Sevens
Challenge Cup Hong Kong this year following the success of the
inaugural event in Dubai in December.
The Cup Final of the HKWRS has been played
in the Hong Kong Stadium as part of the men’s Hong Kong Sevens
since 1999, but given the expanded profile of this year’s women’s
tournament, the
Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012 will
host four matches of the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup.
The Plate Final will be played on Friday
evening with the two Cup Semi Finals and the Cup Final played in
between the Men’s matches on Saturday at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Following a captivating and highly-competitive
debut in Dubai, the stars of the women’s game from 12 leading
international teams representing six continents will look to pick
up where they left off in Dubai when Canada were crowned
champions. Canada are also the reigning champions of the Hong Kong
Women’s Rugby Sevens 2011, defeating France in last year’s Cup
Final.
Canada return to defend their title in the
invitational event in Hong Kong, and are joined by Rugby World Cup
Sevens 2009 Champions Australia, England, USA, Netherlands,
Russia, 2016 Olympic Games hosts Brazil, 2009 Rugby World Cup
Sevens Bowl champions China, Hong Kong, Japan, Tunisia and Spain,
who are current European Women’s Sevens champions.
HKRFU Chairman Trevor Gregory commented on Hong
Kong’s inclusion in the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup saying,
“The HKRFU has been a long-time supporter of the women’s game,
especially sevens. We can think of no better way to mark the 15th
anniversary of our Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens than its
inclusion in the new IRB event and we are excited to provide an
international platform for even more elite women’s rugby teams and
matches at this year’s Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.”
Women’s Rugby is one of the fastest growing
forms of the sport and with the rugby family counting down to
sevens’ debut in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 12-team
competition on 23 and 24 March will provide exceptional
competition for the teams and a high-octane spectacle for what
promises to be a spectacular affair in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong event is a key element in the
delivery of the recently launched IRB Women’s Rugby Plan which has
the staging of a world-class Women’s Sevens event at the Rio 2016
Olympic Games at its core.
Ms Ruth Mitchell, Tournament Director for the
Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens and the IRB Women’s Personality of
the Year 2011 award winner and 2011 ARFU Women’s Personality of
the Year award winner, commented on this latest exciting step in
the continued advancement of Women’s Rugby in Hong Kong and Asia.
“Becoming a part of the new IRB Women’s Sevens
Challenge Cup is the ideal affirmation of the continued growth of
Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens, and indeed Women’s Rugby
throughout Asia. We are excited at the opportunity to pit some of
our best Asian women’s teams against the world’s best in Hong
Kong. This will be an invaluable opportunity to further prepare
our elite women’s teams for qualification for the Olympic Games,”
said Mitchell.
The Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens will be
played from 08:30 to 17:00 on Friday, 23 March 2012, at the Hong
Kong Football Club. Admission is free.
The Plate Final will be played as part of the
Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium at
18:12 on Friday, 23 March. The Cup Semi Finals will be played
consecutively starting at 11:42 on Saturday, 24 March and the IRB
Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup Final will be held at 16:50 on
Saturday at the Hong Kong Stadium.
See other recent news regarding:
Airlines,
Airports,
Awards,
Flights,
Codeshare,
FFP,
Inflight,
Lounges,
First Class,
Business Class,
MICE,
GDS,
Rewards,
Miles,
Hotels,
Apartments,
Promotions,
Spas,
Yoga,
Retreat,
New Hotels,
Traffic,
Visitor Arrivals,
Cruises,
Free Deals,
Interviews,
Videos,
Tickets,
Women,
Rugby,
Hong Kong,
Sevens
|
