Hong Kong RFU to Launch School of Rugby

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) is expanding its outreach to local communities with the launch of the first ever “Schools of Rugby” programme in Hong Kong.

The Confucius Hall Secondary School, nestled under the eaves of the Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po, will become Hong Kong’s first “School of Rugby”, with the programme commencing in August 2013.

Scotland, Hong Kong and New Zealand share many sporting links including rugby, and in particular the sevens code. Scotland are hailed as the inventors of the abbreviated form of rugby, Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Sevens helped make it famous internationally, and New Zealand are widely acknowledged as the world’s most successful team in the sport.

So it is fitting then that in the week when rugby sevens fever is at its peak in Hong Kong, the HKRFU are hosting an event that brings these three traditions and cultures together while also celebrating the positive contribution that not just rugby but indeed all sport can make to society.

The distinguished panel of guest speakers at the HKRFU’s “Value of Sport” luncheon includes New Zealand All Black legend Christian Cullen, New Zealand Olympic Gold Medallist Grant Bramwell and the New Zealand Minister of Commerce Craig Foss, who join Mr Alan Lawson, the President of the Scottish Rugby Union and Scottish rugby legend Chris Paterson at the luncheon hosted by Mr Trevor Gregory, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

At the luncheon, this group of accomplished people from the worlds of sport, diplomacy and industry will share their unique experiences on how sport has impacted them as individuals and their communities.

The HKRFU will also take advantage of the platform to introduce its newest and most in-depth community rugby programme, the “HKRFU Schools of Rugby programme”.

Schools of Rugby is a project developed in association with Scottish Rugby and modelled on a similar system in Scotland which has had great effect on local youth development.

HKRFU Chairman Trevor Gregory, commented on the latest initiative saying, “The HKRFU believes that sport has a prominent role to play in Hong Kong’s school communities, not just with regards to elite achievement but in providing a learning context that can support youth education inside and outside the classroom. We believe that Rugby in particular can make a positive contribution to enhancing achievement, attendance, behaviour and fostering discipline, together with creating a sense of commitment and pride amongst pupils and pride in the school itself.”

The Schools of Rugby programme carries on from other recent HKRFU initiatives in the local community focusing on using sport as a medium to help youngsters address a range of social and educational issues.

Current HKRFU programmes are focused on assisting youth through rugby to reduce juvenile delinquency, learn English, build self-confidence and self-esteem, enhance social inclusion and combat discrimination whilst at the same time offering the opportunity for mentally and physically disabled youth to participate in rugby activities.

With the generous support of the Scottish Rugby Union, the HKRFU is now launching its next, and most comprehensive initiative, to draw these themes together under a concerted and holistic approach under the “Schools of Rugby” banner.

The HKRFU Value of Sport Luncheon Panel

Details of this innovative new programme will be announced at the HKRFU’s “Value of Sport” Luncheon in association with Sino Group and the New Zealand Consulate in Hong Kong on Thursday, 21st March 2013, from the Pool House Function Room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Grant Bramwell: Grant represented New Zealand at two Olympics Games, winning Gold in the 1,000m Men’s Kayak Fours at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and representing the team in 1988 in Seoul. Grant is also the Bronze medallist of the 1985 Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Chris Paterson: Chris appeared 109 times for Scotland, (scoring 809 points), and played in 4 World Cups. He successfully converted 36 consecutive goal attempts for Scotland between 11 August 2007 and 7 June 2008 and was awarded an MBE in 2012. He has an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Edinburgh Napier University. Since his retirement from professional rugby he has been appointed as the international Ambassador for Edinburgh and Scottish Rugby.

Alan Lawson: The President of the Scottish Rugby Union, Mr Alan Lawson enjoyed a distinguished playing career representing Scotland 15 times between 1972 and 1980. He works closely with the Bill McLaren Foundation, the aims of which are predominantly to develop and support the sport of rugby union and its values and encourage and provide sporting opportunities for young people.

Christian Cullen: Christian, the Paekakarilei Express, first burst onto the international rugby scene scoring 18 tries for New Zealand at the 1995 Hong Kong Sevens. The following year he made his All Blacks 15s debut, and went on to score a remarkable 46 tries in 58 tests, and he remains the all-time leading try scorer in the Tri Nations series.

How the HKRFU Schools of Rugby Programme Works

Each School of Rugby will receive a tailored package of support and resources, and will identify one member of staff to act as the key liaison between the HKRFU and the school.

In addition, the school will be supported with the provision of coach education courses and Continuing Professional Development for its staff, as well as support in the delivery of physical education and rugby specific elements by HKRFU’s Development Officers.

The HKRFU will provide a weekly programme of rugby skills and generic sport/physical development to Form 1 students, as well as working with staff to drive the development of rugby as a priority sport.

The HKRFU will also leverage its strong relationships with established NGO community partners to deliver classroom sessions. These organisations, which include the Kely Support Group and Operation Breakthrough, will also implement existing successful HKRFU programmes such as Rugby English Action Learning.

HKRFU Strength & Conditioning staff will facilitate Functional Movement Screening (FMS) at the beginning and end of each school year. FMS is a simple ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are vital to normal physical development in young people.

Opportunities for further learning out of the classroom will be provided through the support and involvement of Hong Kong national team players acting as positive role models to inspire the students. Students from School of Rugby schools will also enjoy visits to rugby matches and events such as the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and will have opportunities for work placements and internships with the HKRFU.

By playing a central role in the curriculum, the Schools of Rugby will provide a context for learning inside and outside of the classroom, allowing all pupils to experience rugby, and helping them to improve the fitness and physical literacy of students and in turn contribute to greater educational attainment.

The Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will take place 22-24 March 2013.

Pictures and Other Coverage from Hong Kong Sevens 2013

As there are so many Pictures of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2013 we have cut them up into different pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12, Page 13, Page 14, Page 15, Page 16, Page 17 and Page 18. You may also want to check out the pictures from previous years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

See past stories about the Hong Kong Sevens 2013: Pictures from Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Results from Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Sevens Legend Waisale Serevi Inducted into IRB Hall of Fame, Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2013 Ready for Kick Off!, What Impact Does Hong Kong Sevens Have on Long-Haul Travel?, South Stand Fashion - What to Wear at the Hong Kong Sevens, HKRFU Launches Rugby App; Chance to Win Tickets to HK Sevens, Hong Kong RFU to Launch a School of Rugby in Hong Kong, HKRFU Partners Serevi Rugby to Provide Special Training Camps, HKRFU Names Men's and Women's Sevens Squads, US Eagles Land in HK for Sevens; Jamaica Ready for Debut, Air Pacific Partners Ben Kende Foundation to Provide Medical Supplies to FORU, Rugby Sevens Teams from South Africa and France Arrive in Hong Kong, Official Draw for the 2013 Hong Kong Sevens, Beach Boys to Perform at Hong Kong Sevens, Hong Kong Sevens Officially Sold Out!, 2013 Hong Kong Sevens Public Ticket Sale to be via Public Ballot, Fans in Australia Can Purchase Tickets for 2013 Hong Kong Sevens, Biggest Hong Kong Sevens Ever! and Dates for the Cathay Pacific HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2013.