2010 Asian Games Final Squads
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Rugby Sevens Squads Announced for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union today announced the Hong Kong, China men’s and women’s squads for the rugby sevens competition at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, to be played at the University Town Main Stadium November 21 – 23, 2010.
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Hong Kong, China Men’s Rugby Sevens Team
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Hong Kong, China Women’s Rugby Sevens Team
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Name |
Club |
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Name |
Club |
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FAN Shun Kei |
DeA Tigers |
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CHAN Ho Ting |
Causeway Bay |
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Anthony HAYNES |
HKCC |
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CHAN Hoi Ping Emmy |
Gai Wu |
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Edward HAYNES |
HKCC |
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CHAN Leong Sze Royce (C) |
HKFC |
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Jamie HOOD |
HKFC |
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CHENG Ka Chi Christy |
Gai Wu |
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KWOK Ka Chun |
Kowloon |
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CHENG Tsz Ting |
Gai Wu |
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Simon LEUNG |
HKCC |
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Stephanie CUVELIER |
Valley |
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Sebastian PERKINS |
HKFC |
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LAI Pou Fan |
DeA Tigers |
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Keith ROBERTSON |
DeA Tigers |
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LAU Sin Tung |
Causeway Bay |
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TSANG Hing Hung |
DeA Tigers |
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POON Pak Yan |
Gai Wu |
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Rowan VARTY |
Toyota Shokki |
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Samantha SCOTT |
Valley |
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Mark WRIGHT (C) |
Toyota Shokki |
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SHAM Wai Sum |
Gai Wu |
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YIU Kam Shing |
Valley |
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Lindsay VARTY |
DeA Tigers |
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Management |
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Management |
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Dai REES |
Head Coach |
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YONG Chi Fung |
Coach |
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Martin KIBBLE |
Manager |
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TSE Man Sze |
Manager |
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Alex GIBBS |
Assistant Coach |
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YUEN Kin Ho |
Assistant Coach |
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Nathan STEWART |
Fitness and Conditioning Coach |
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Kane JURY Sharon WAN |
Technical Advisor Physiotherapist |
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Justin FAULKNER |
Physiotherapist |
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With the inclusion of Tsang Hing Hung, there is only one change to the men’s that recently won the Borneo Sevens. On that occasion Hong Kong beat Japan 31-28 in the Asian Sevens Series event. Hong Kong is pooled with Japan at the Asian Games, setting up a tantalizing rematch with their Asian rivals, and meaning they will be on opposite sides of the draw for the knock out stages. The team will also face Malaysia, Mongolia and Thailand in group matches.
Commenting on the team, National Head Coach Dai Rees said, “The high standards achieved by all players within the extended training squad over the past four months have been outstanding. We currently have more strength in depth than ever before.”
“The team performed well at the Borneo Sevens. We have made the one change in Tsang Hing Hung, which just goes to demonstrate the competition for places. Hing Hung brings a wealth of experience to the team and provides a balance in the final make up of the squad.”
“We are very clear with what we want to acheive,” added Rees. “Japan, Korea and China would appear to be the main threats, but our preparation has been good and we are going into the Games quietly confident.”
The Hong Kong, China women’s team also has just one change from the team that won the plate competition in the Singapore Cricket Club Sevens, which was their final preparation tournament before heading for Guangzhou, with Cheng Ka Chi coming into the final squad replacing Man Po Kei.
The women’s team face a tough draw, and will meet Uzbekistan, Korea, Thailand and the gold medal favourites China in pool play, but are confident that they can be involved at the business end of the tournament.
“We have enjoyed an excellent build up to the Asian Games, and the success at the Jonah Jones Sevens back in September has provided the squad with the self belief required to be pushing for a medal,” commented coach Yong Chi Fung on the naming of the squad.
“All matches are important, but the key pool match for us looks to be against Thailand, a victory there could set us up for a chance of a medal,” added Yong.
Taking a month off from the Japanese Top League, Mark is leading the National Men’s Sevens squad in the Asian Games in Guangzhou
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photo credits: Shooter HK |
"I’m very honored to be the Captain for the Asian Games. As the Captain, I think it’s important to lead by example. I try to work hard for both the team and myself."
We have had a good preparation, and having beat Japan at the Borneo Sevens and Singapore Cricket Club Sevens we feel more confident and capable. It is important for the whole team to build up this psychological belief in order to play to our potential. As long as we cut down mistakes, keep hold of the ball and pay more attention to defense, we are confident that we can achieve our goals.
We have put together some good matches this year and shown a higher skill level, with our overall standard improving. The Asian Games is the biggest tournament of the year and I’m really looking forward to it, and playing well for Hong Kong. |
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Mark has been playing rugby for 15 years, and first represented Hong Kong for U14’s level. His debut at the Hong Kong Sevens was made in 2006. Mark was awarded the “Men’s International Sevens Player of the Year” in the 2009/10 season. |
Royce Captains the Women’s and leads the girls to podium finish
“I am very proud to be the Captain for the Women’s Sevens squad. A major part of my role is communication, both on and off the pitch. We need to remain calm in some critical moments.”
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“Starting from July, we have seen each other every day for gym and training. We have built up tremendous team spirit and understanding which is very important to a team. We have been having video sessions with our technical coach Kane Jury, which is new to the team, but we feel it has been very beneficial.”
“We really want to get a medal in the Asian Games. There are lots of strong teams in the pool, such as China and Thailand. We are now more confident after several big tournaments this year. We have fast runners and experienced players in the team; we just need to concentrate our handling with the pressure of the big match. We have to start the games quick, after all sevens is a short game and there is no time to waste, or rest.” |
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"I have been playing rugby for more than 7 years now but I started late in 24. The most memorable experience would be a tour to Kazakhstan two years ago. It was a 15-a-side tournament, and with the tour being ten days it was like a big family. We needed to get used to the weather, food and living style there. Everything was so different from our home. It was a good experience.”
The Haynes Brothers going for Gold in Guangzhou
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Edward Haynes: “I’m very excited to be selected for the final sevens squad. I have a few injuries before which has meant I’ve missed selection for some big tournaments. It has quite frustrating but now I can play for the Asian Games, the biggest tournament this year, which I’m thrilled about.”
“It has been noticeable during the preparation tournaments that the team are a lot closer, and this is translating to our performances on the field which are getting better and better. The coaching team and the players are getting what they want from each other, and we feel we’ve developed into a good team.”
“We are quietly confident and aiming to get that Gold medal! We feel good about where we are now, we just give all we have.”
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photo credits: Shooter HK |
Anthony Haynes: “I’m the youngest player in the team, but having been in the team for a little while I have some experience.”
“During the preparation tournaments, we have built up a good bond and team spirit. We are good friends now and react positively to each one, which I think has helped our performance lot.”
“I want to win Gold Medal for sure. After winning the Shield in the Hong Kong Sevens early this year, people have higher expectations of us, which may as well have created some pressure on us. But I think that will only push us to do better and do all we can to go for the Gold for Hong Kong!” |
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Ed is the elder brother of Ant and has just turned 23. He started to play rugby when he was 7. His first taste of representative rugby was the New Year’s Day Youth Tournament when he was playing for U12’s. He likes both the 15s and Sevens version of the game.
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Ant is the younger brother of Ed and started playing rugby when he was 6. Ant is another product of the youth system and he won his first cap at the Doha Asian Games in 2006.
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Gai Wu’s Emmy, Candy, Sum, Aggie and Christy look forward to the Asian Games
CHAN Hoi Ping Emmy: “I’m so happy to see five Gai Wu girls going to the Asian Games. It shows that the club continues to grows, we know we are part of it!”
“The preparation has allowed us to understand each other more, including our strengths and weaknesses. We are now more consistent and make less mistakes, but we need to be more aggressive in the contact situations, and we may need to refine a bit on the quality of our passing.”
“For the Asian Games, I want to win a medal, which I believe could be important for the women’s rugby development in Hong Kong. Last year, we were ranked 8th in Asia and this year, we jumped into 5th, we want to take the next step and win a medal.”
CHENG Tsz Ting Candy: The tournaments we have been to have given us chances to actually match ourselves against different national teams, and work on our strategies. We have been able to improve the quality of the whole team.”
“I still feel excited about winning Jonah Jones Sevens in September. We were a bit nervous and under pressure, but we performed well and won the Championship. I can see the team has improved physically, structurally and mentally and that we are more confident now. We understand each other better as well which is crucial to the performance of the whole team.”
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SHAM Wai Sum: “When I was a new player, I lacked a little bit of confidence and belief in myself. But as the team has developed and worked hard together, I have regained my confidence in the pitch. We have a real belief in ourselves.”
“From the build up events, we know what kind of improvement the team needed and we have worked on our skills and are beginning to perform well. As a team we will try our best to achieve our goal, which is to get a medal. We have been training well together and we are mentally and physically ready and strong.”
“I think the strongest opponents would be China, Thailand and Japan. But I believe we are narrowing the gap.” |
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POON Pak Yan Aggie: “I enjoy sevens very much because I can carry the ball and try and use my speed.”
“The team bonding has definitely improved a lot during all the build up. We now understand each player better and our abilities. Coaches, as well as the players, are communicating well which is improving the team.”
“The Asian Games means a lot to us. It is our honor to play for Hong Kong. I hope we can at least win the Bronze medal, but of course it would be better to have the Silver and best to get the Gold!”
photo credits: Shooter HK |
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CHENG Ka Chi Christy: “I have found myself communicate more with the team players during the preparation throughout the year. Now our relationship is getting better than ever. The experienced players, like Samantha, Royce and Hoty, are also providing advice and encouragement to the younger players, which has helped a lot.”
“Our technical coach Kane Jury has helped improve our skill level and coach us through some video sessions. Our three coaches are of different characters and it is good. Coach Zanio is a solemn and serious person; Assistant Andy is basically a very funny guy; and Technical Coach Kane is just in between. They make a good team.”
“The team now has a good balance of speed and physical build and we very much hope we can win a medal in the Asian Games.”
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Emmy: I have been playing rugby for 8 years now since I started at a summer rugby course. I first represented Hong Kong when I was playing for U20’s in 2004 and I first played in the Hong Kong Sevens in 2005. I have been injured and thanks to my coaches and teammates, I have picked it up again and feel that I am fit and strong at the moment and confident that we can win a medal for Hong Kong, and continue to develop our club!
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Candy: I have been playing rugby for more than 10 years since the summer rugby course in 2000. I first represented Hong Kong when I played for U19’s. In 2007, I played in Hong Kong Sevens for the first time. My most memorable experience would be East Asian Games because it was the first time we played in the Hong Kong Stadium. It was kind of a “home game” with full house supporters. It is so unforgettable!
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Sham: I started to play rugby when I was 9 and joined a summer course in 2001. I started to represent Hong Kong fifteens when I was 17 and for sevens since 2009. I was very happy to be awarded “Women’s Young International Player of the Year” and “Women’s 7s International Player of the Years” for the 2009/10 season.
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Aggie: I started to play rugby when I was 6, and have been playing rugby for 14 years now. The first time I represented Hong Kong when I was 18, playing for U20’s. It was a fifteens match against Korea and we won.
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Christy: I have been playing rugby for six years since 16. The first time I represented Hong Kong was a 15-a-side game playing in China. In that tournament, we beat Malaysia and lost to China, so it was a mixed start to my Hong Kong career.
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“Step by step we have achieved what we are now” - Zanio Yung, Women’s Sevens Coach
Zanio: I have coached the team for four years. It is happy to see the girls grow and improve a lot physically and mentally.
As the Hong Kong women’s rugby is getting more attention, the girls are now more proactive in training, going to gym to getting themselves into a better physical condition. In terms of skills level, the more they develop these the better they play. I am quite happy with their skill level.
The early tournaments have given the team opportunities to play against teams of different levels. Step by step, from winning a Cup title at a relatively lower level championship in the Jonah Jones Sevens to winning a Plate at a highly international standard competition at the Singapore Cricket Club Sevens, we have built up confidence and experience which are crucial for the Asian Games.
With all the hard work we have made, we want to win a medal at the Asian Games. We are confident because we have had a good preparation and training are well.
Rugby gives Salom a sense of achievement
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“Throughout the tournaments, we have understood coach’s strategy and can play how he wants us to play, as well as how each player fits in. This allows us to play a structured game. We have built up experience and a mutual trust in each other. With Mark and Rowan coming back from Japan and providing us with leadership, we are confident we can win a medal for Hong Kong at the Asian Games.”
“We want to win the Gold medal. We have the ability to beat Japan and we believe we are capable of winning the Gold. It is my first Asian Games and it means a lot to me. It is like my dream come true.”
“I have always wanted to play a team sport. I only started to play rugby four years ago when I was 18 because I enjoy the teamwork rather than individual sports. I used to be involved with track events but I felt there was no room for any advancement. Then I met Andy Yuen, who is a rugby development officer and a coach. I have been given the chance to play for the club and the national teams, which has been amazing. |
Salom made his debut at Hong Kong Sevens in 2010 and was awarded “Men’s Young International Player of the Year” in the 2009/10 season.
Hing Hung and Kwok - two from disciplines services join the Asian Games forces
Tsang Hing Hung, currently a police officer, believes time is right to go for gold after all the team has built up since the last Asian Games in Doha, while Kwok Ka Chun, now a serving fireman, thinks it is crucial to deal with the pressure carefully so that it can push them to do better.
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Hing Hung: “We have set a target from the last Asian Games - we will win another medal! Throughout these few years, our overall performance and skill level have gone up. We were 5th and now are 3rd in Asia. It is quite a good sign!
“We have confidence that we can enter the top three. This year, we have beaten Japan twice and it really has boosted our confidence and belief. We have also defeated some strong teams like China and Korea. Still we cannot overlook strong potentials from other teams. We need to be cautious.”
“After all the training and tournaments, we have grown as a team and gained more experience. We have built up a great team spirit and bonded as a group.”
“I want to win the Gold medal, which is also the overall team target. When we win, it also shows to Asia that Hong Kong can play good rugby and the development of our game in Hong Kong is continuing. After all it is important for us to learn from mistake that we did in the East Asian Games last year - we need to hang on till the end of each game.” |
photo credits: Shooter HK |
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Kwok: “All the preparations have given us chances to know each other, and our strengths and weaknesses. Our skill level is getting better, and with that the performances and conditioning is as well. To win the Gold medal for Hong Kong is our ultimate goal. We believe we have that ability and confidence to make it.”
“Yet, I think it is critical whether we can play the games without feeling any burden or pressure. It seems that we are under some kind of pressure, and we need to deal with it carefully so that it can turn that into some positive energy to push us to perform better.” |
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Hing Hung has been playing rugby for ten years when he was about 14. He represented for Hong Kong for the first time when playing for U19’s at 17. He went to France to take part in the Junior World Championship. There were 32 fifteens teams and they won the “Best Sportsmanship Award”! He made his debut for Hong Kong Sevens in 2006. It was a full house, as always, and he was able to play for Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Stadium which was an awesome experience for him.
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Kwok has been playing rugby for eight years since 17. He played for both fifteens and sevens. He first represented Hong Kong when he was playing against Dubai for U19’s.
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Simon hopes to make history for Hong Kong by winning the first team-sports gold medal
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photo credits: Shooter HK |
Simon Leung: “We have been together as a squad for 18 months now and I have seen we have continued to grow and improve. I believe the team now is better than the squads that played at the East Asian Games or 2010 Hong Kong Sevens. We understand each other and how each other reacts, which is critical to performance as a team.”
“We hope that we can win the Gold. It would be an individual and team honour, as well as a reward for all the hard work we have put in. For all the people who support us, we will play as hard as we can. We want to show that Hong Kong is capable of good rugby. We not only host the world renowned Hong Kong Sevens, but we also building up a good sevens national team. We want to win the first team-sports gold medal for Hong Kong and to make history.” |
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Simon, now 29, started playing rugby when he was 6. He started to play sevens two seasons ago and made his sevens debut in the 2009 World Games. He appreciates the skill side from sevens. The winning of the Shield in the 2010 Hong Kong Sevens is a strong memory. It was his first time to play in the Hong Kong Sevens and playing a final on the Sunday was an incredible experience.
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“A well structured team with skills and good pace” – Jamie and Sebastian
Jamie Hood: “The team structure has been well defined through some very good preparation. We understand how each one plays and have also built up great team spirit. We have good pace in Salom and Rowan, and a few good ball carriers – Ed, Mark and Kwok are very strong on the ball.”
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“I want to win a medal. Japan is one of our biggest opponents, made up of professional players who have trained for a long period of time. They play a good style of rugby playing. But I believe we will just have to do our best and play to our full potential, and the results will follow.”
Sebastian Perkins: “We achieved some good results in Jonah Jones Sevens and Borneo Sevens. Our confidence has grown and we have become a good team with a well developed structure.” |
photo credits: Shooter HK |
“Salom is a danger man for us with his pace, while Keith and Jamie are very skillful. We just need to stick to our own structure and be confident. We hope that we can win that gold medal, not only for the team, but also for the rugby community.”
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Jamie, aged 24, started to play rugby when he was 10. Two year ago, he won his first cap when he played against Sri Lanka in the World Cup Qualifier match.
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Seb has been playing rugby for 19 years, starting when he was 8. He made his 15s debut in the 2009 A5N playing against Japan, and his first sevens tournament was in Darwin, Australia in 2009.
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Keith hopes to get a better result at Guangzhou Asian Games than the last Doha – a Gold!
Keith Robertson: “The whole preparation has given us more chances to gel together as a team. I can see our performance is more consistent now, we have implemented a new team structure which has started to show real benefit. I hope all this will lead us to good performance at the Asian Games.”
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“The squad is more experienced, compared to the one for the Doha Asian Games four years ago. I hope we can get a better result than that – at least the Silver, but we want to go for the Gold!”
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The 23-year-old Keith has been playing rugby for more than 15 years since he was 7. He represented Hong Kong for the first time when he played for U14’s. He was awarded “Men’s International Player of the Year” in 2009/10 season.
He made his Hong Kong Sevens debut in 2006 playing against England. But winning the Shield in the 2010 Hong Kong Sevens is the most memorable experience for him
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The Varty siblings want to come home with a Gold
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Rowan Varty, currently a professional rugby player for the Japan Top League, is back for the national sevens rugby team, joining the rest of the sevens squad for a shot at Asian Games glory. His younger sister Lindsay hopes the Women’s National Sevens will put together of what they have learned and push good result.
Rowan: “The two wins over Japan are a psychological victory. Wins over Korea have also boosted our confidence. We need to play our role and perform well within the new team structure, we are strong. I am eyeing the Gold medal!”
“The Asian Games is the most important event for us at the moment. When we win, it means so much not only to the rugby community, but also the whole sport community. It just tells everyone that we are a well developed rugby team in Asia.” |
Lindsay: “The team dynamic has very much built up over the past months and we get along well and understand each more and more, which helps to perform well as a team. The tournaments have given us a chance to learn from different national teams, such as Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. Each team has their own characters and strengths that we have to deal with.”
“For the Asian Games, I think Japan is a strong opponent because they are fast, strong and skillful. But I believe if our team put together of what we have learned and trained during the whole year, we will get a good result. It would be best to come home with a gold medal as it will be significant for the development of women’s rugby and more recognition in Hong Kong and Asia.”
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Rowan, now 24 and the elder brother of Lindsay, has been playing rugby for 15 years when he was 9. He first represented Hong Kong when he played for U14’s.
The most memorable experience to Rowan is bringing home the Shield in the 2010 Hong Kong Sevens. They played hard and performed well. It is very encouraging to earn respect from the other big national teams.
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Lindsay, now 22, started playing rugby because of her brother Rowan. She has been playing rugby for ten years since she was 12. She represented Hong Kong for the first time when she played for U17’s and joined the National Women’s at 18. She enjoys the pace in the pitch that sevens gives her.
“I still can’t forget that I scored a try when playing against Sri Lanka in the 2005 Hong Kong Sevens when I was 17.” Lindsay says excitedly.
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Dailo and Kim play hard and learn well
LAI Pou Fan, Dailo: “It is important for the team to have more actual match experiences because you are not playing against your team mates, but a real opponent and every point and mistake count. And to perform well as a team, we need to understand each other good, including the coaches, and the whole preparation has allowed us to communicate and understand each other.”
“More significantly I get to know myself more when I was playing in a real match – I may get a little nervous on field. I’m grateful to our Assistant Coach Andy Yuen who motivates me a lot. But I am quite happy with my passing skills.”
LAU Sin Tung, Kim: “I feel very happy and excited to be selected for the final squad because I have been injured before and disappointed for missing a few selections. That’s why I will play very hard to get a good result though it is not very easy.”
“There are quite a few strong teams in the Games – Thailand, they are fast; Kazakhstanare big; and the pre-tournament local favorites China, they have both qualities! Therefore we need to play it hard.”
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Dailo has played rugby for four years and represented Hong Kongfor her first time when she played for U20s at the Bangkok Sevens Tournament in 2007. |
Kim has played rugby for eight years and represented Hong Kongsix years ago when playing for U19’s. The most memorable experience for her is winning the Bronze Medal at the East Asian Games at the Hong Kong Stadium in 2009.
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The winning at the Asian Games benefits to the next generation
Fan Shun Kei: “We have played against different national teams and analyzed how they play. It is very beneficial for the whole training squad. During the tournaments, we have defeated Koreaand Japan, two very tough and strong teams in Asia, so now we have more belief in ourselves!”
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“I hope everything will go well and we can be at the final! Apart from an individual honor and reward, the whole Asian Games mean so much to the rugby development too. When we have good results, more resources would probably be allocated and it will be beneficial to our next generation.”
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Fan has been playing rugby for twenty years since he was 6. In 1997 he first represented Hong Kongfor U16’s. It was a 15-a-side friendly match against Singapore. |
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Veteran Sam and Hoty pass on skills and knowledge to the youngest, new prop Stephanie
Samantha Scott and Hoty Chan, two experienced rugby players set high goals and push the girls better and higher, and the youngest Stephanie Cuvelier is learning from them to be a good team player
Samantha: “I may be one of the most experienced girls in the squad but there are still things to learn from each player and tournament. We have learned how to play well as a team, how to structure well, how to build up trust to each other, and known what a team is like… all these can make the squad play and perform better. We have met lots of national teams and experienced a high level of rugby. It is very beneficial to all of us.”
“We have set the goal high and would reach them with confidence. I understand the current national sevens women’s is still young. Therefore it is important for me to pass on my skills, knowledge and experience. I feel like I am carrying a mission to train and develop these young players.”
Hoty: “The squad now understand what they possess or need to improve so that remedies can be made. Having played in more tournaments, we can structure and organize faster, and made better defence. Playing against with some top national teams can push ourselves better and higher.”
Stephanie: “I am playing a prop, instead of a back as I used to be, and am refining my technical skills. It is grateful that we have a few veteran players who can teach me through.”
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Sam has been playing rugby for 15 years. She first represented Hong Kongwhen she played for U19’s. Winning the Bronze Medal in the 2009 East Asian Games is one of the unforgettable moments in her rugby career. She is a primary teacher herself so she understands well about passing on knowledge and experiences to young bloods.
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Hoty has started to play rugby since 1997 for the Causeway Bay Rugby Football Club. The most memorable experience for her is the 2000 Asian Games.
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The 19-year-old Stephanie is the youngest player in the squad. She has played rugby for five years. The most unforgettable moment would be Coach Zanio Yung calling her for a Sunday training for the Hong Kong Sevens when she was playing for U20’s, and she was named in the final squad at the end.
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