Domestic League
New rugby season kicks-off on Saturday 8th October
The Union today revealed the new-look league structure for the upcoming domestic rugby season, with some exciting new initiatives and a record number of participating teams expected when action kicks-off on Saturday 8th October.
The most obvious change is the re-branding of what was Division 1 and 2 as the Premiership and Premiership A, with 7 teams in each – newcomers Hong Kong Scottish take their place in the top flight alongside defending league champions Newedge Club, Grand Champions Tradition Valley, Altus Kowloon, DeA Tigers, Leighton Asia HKCC and SCAA Causeway Bay, whilst in the second tier it’s the 2nd XVs of all those clubs with the exception of Hong Kong Scottish whose place is filled by PLA Securitas. Both these divisions will play two rounds of “home” and “away” matches, followed by Grand Championship Quarters, Semis and Finals on Saturday 3 March 2012.
There is another new name in the divisional structure, as the Union introduces “The Championship”, which will be home to the first teams of the remaining clubs – University, Police, City, Gai Wu, Revolution, Typhoons, East Kowloon, and debutantes Tin Shui Wai and the Discovery Bay Pirates. By having these sides in a league of their own it addresses the long standing problems of teams from the bigger clubs “dropping down” players, and will provide the clubs and the Union an opportunity to work together on structured development plans for those who aspire to move on to Premiership rugby in the years to come.
The Championship will also trial playing with Under 19 Scrum Law Variations, which limits the distance that scrums can be pushed to no more than 1.5 metres, a measure that should ensure a more equitable competition for all.
For the Women, there are six teams entered into the 15-a-side Division, and ten teams in the 10-a-side Division, including the long-awaited return of the Police women’s team, the Sirens.
With an anticipated 26 sides in the men’s Community Divisions 1-3, and 8 Development teams, the rugby community looks certain to break another record for participation numbers this year – 73 senior teams in total, up from 64 last year!
“There’s a lot of excitement building for the new season”, explains the Union’s Senior League Officer Andy Li. “Most clubs have now commenced pre-season training, and player numbers are very encouraging from all reports. More players, more teams, more games… I guess I’ll need to buy some more trophies!”
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