PUBLISHED ON 03 JUN 2025
Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) is pleased to confirm that Simon Amor, former England 7s captain and decorated international coach across both 7s and 15s rugby, will be the organisation’s new Executive Director, Performance and Representative Rugby.
HKCR CEO James Farndon highlighted the importance of the role, as well as the wide range of experience that Amor will bring:
“Given HKCR’s strategic ambitions and goals on the world stage, this is a critical position to drive world-class standards through relationships with our key stakeholders, ultimately striving for greater success on and off the field of play.
“We are delighted to be able to welcome Simon back to Hong Kong to take up this role [Amor worked at HKCR as interim Head Coach of the men’s 15s in late 2021]. His breadth of experience spans both 7s and 15s rugby – and strategically across men’s and women’s rugby – meaning he is a very good fit for the position.
“In addition, Simon’s qualifications are very well aligned with the responsibilities of the Executive Director role, including an MBA in Sports Management, an MSc in Executive Coaching and previously being part of the prestigious UK Sport Elite Coach Programme alongside current England Rugby Head Coach Steve Borthwick and former England Football Manager Sir Gareth Southgate, among others.”
Amor, who started his new role today (3 June 2025), expressed his excitement at the challenge ahead:
“I am delighted to be returning to Hong Kong China Rugby at an incredibly exciting time in the organisation’s proud history.
“The Performance and Representative Rugby Department has a number of key strategic objectives on the horizon, including aiming to qualify for the Men’s and Women’s XVs World Cups and the Men’s and Women’s 7s Olympic Games, as well as making further progress in our excellent referee development initiatives.
“I am looking forward to supporting an ambitious and motivated team to drive excellence and alignment across our programmes.
“I am also looking forward to collaborating with our key stakeholders in the game, including the Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Hong Kong Premiership, our wider domestic and community clubs, World Rugby and Asia Rugby – as we look to develop the game both for Hong Kong China and across the Asia region.”
In 7s rugby, Amor previously worked as Head Coach for the USA Men’s 7s Programme, as Head Coach and Technical Director for Japan Rugby Union Men’s 7s, as Head of the England 7s Programme (Men’s and Women’s) and as Head Coach for the Team GB Men’s 7s. In 15s rugby, Amor worked under Eddie Jones as England Rugby Men’s XVs Attack Coach & Coaching Coordinator. Farndon continued:
“Simon has enjoyed success in Europe, North America and Asia, winning medals at World, Continental, Commonwealth, Olympic and Six Nations competitions – with a reputable track record of improving performance staff, coaches, players and teams throughout his career.
“Simon is also well known in the rugby community in Hong Kong, having played and coached at the Hong Kong Sevens many times. This included captaining the England 7s team, where he holds an incredible record of four separate tournament wins – including in 2004 when he was also named IRB Sevens Player of the Year.”
Amor will take over from Pete Drewett, who has served as HKCR’s interim Executive Director, Performance and Representative Rugby since early March. Farndon added:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Pete for his continued efforts in the interim position, as he carries out a handover to Simon for the next four weeks. His contribution cannot be underestimated, and I know that the whole team at HKCR greatly values the contribution, support and impact that he has had.”
