HONG KONG CHINA TOUCH TEAMS ENJOY 2024 TOUCH WORLD CUP SEND-OFF

Players, coaches, fans and media gathered at WLAB in Quarry Bay on Friday evening (5 July) to wish the Hong Kong China Touch squads the very best of luck ahead of their trip to the 2024 Touch World Cup in Nottingham, England.

Hong Kong China Rugby’s new CEO, James Farndon, was in attendance at the event and commented:

“It was fantastic to get this opportunity to meet players and coaches, who I know are sending our biggest contingent to date to a Touch World Cup. I will be in the UK during the tournament, and I am fortunate enough to be heading to Nottingham to support the teams as part of my trip.

“Tonight’s event also gave me the opportunity to learn a bit more about the great work of Hong Kong China Touch and chat with some fantastic committee members, volunteers and sponsors about the great work they have done to grow the game.”

This will be Hong Kong China’s third appearance at a Touch World Cup following campaigns in 2015 and 2019. In each of the previous editions, one mixed team competed, whereas in 2024 the representative teams have expanded sixfold. Hong Kong China will enter the Men's Open, Women's Open, Men's 30s, Men's 40s, Women's 27s and Mixed 30s categories – which includes participation in the World Cup’s inaugural Masters Divisions. Dr. Diana Li, Chairlady of Hong Kong China Touch, said:

“An incredible 100 players and coaching staff will form our representative squads, and the fact we are now sending six teams shows the remarkable growth of the sport in Hong Kong. With our largest overseas representation to date, everyone is excited to step onto the field and give it our all.

“As the Chairlady and also a player this year, I closely feel the passion of rugby players in Hong Kong and what they are capable of. I am confident in expanding, promoting and uplifting the sport of rugby and touch in the coming years.”

Within the playing group are five former Hong Kong China representative players:

• CHEUK Ming Yin Ricky, who captained the men’s 7s team and was the first local Chinese player to score a try at a Rugby World Cup Sevens, will line up in the Men’s 30s. 
• KWONG Sau Yan Ivy, who has played for both the women’s 7s and 15s, is part of the Women’s 27s squad. Ivy played in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup and will now add a Touch World Cup to her impressive resume.
• CHEUNG Ho Ning Charles, who has appeared for both the men’s 7s and 15s, will play in the Men’s 30s.  
• KWOK Ka Hei, who has appeared for the women’s 15s, will play in the Women’s 27s.
• LO Tan Tung, who has appeared for the women’s 7s, will also play in the Women’s 27s.

Another star to feature is WONG Chi Ling, who is making her second Touch World Cup appearance. She was one of 15 women around the world who featured in the 2019 World Rugby global campaign “The Unstoppables” which highlighted female rugby role models.

The teams have been engaged in regular training sessions since March and will travel to England to complete their final tournament preparations ahead of the opening matches on 15 July. They are proudly supported by Official Sponsor ECO Lifestyle, who are also the Fitness Accessories Partner for the event; Official Sponsor JLL; and Official Supplier Partner Pillar Sports, who provide all strapping required for the squads. 

The Tournament

Organised by the Federation of International Touch (FIT), the 2024 Touch World Cup will take place at the University of Nottingham's Highfields Sports Complex from 15-21 July 2024. 180 teams from 39 different countries and regions will compete across 13 divisions, demonstrating an exceptional response to the tournament from across the globe.

The Sport

Touch is a sport that emphasises speed, skill, strategy and teamwork. With no tackling allowed in the game, touch is a route into rugby for young players and a popular social choice for players of all ages. Touch also empowers gender inclusion as a format that allows mixed teams to compete and work together. The growth of touch rugby has also been driven by its ease to play, as it can take place on grass, 3G and hard-court surfaces.

Hong Kong China Touch

HKCT is a member of the FIT, founded in 2003 as the Hong Kong Touch Association before a rebrand to HKCT in 2023. HKCT is the only member of FIT that is supported by a world rugby governing body, which leaves the olive-shaped ball game in good hands in Hong Kong. The organisation now operates from the HKCR offices at Olympic House in Causeway Bay.

Two full-time members of HKCR staff manage HKCT – and supported by a fantastic executive committee consisting of HKCR staff and volunteers from the touch community – to provide governance and support for the development of the sport in Hong Kong. This has helped to grow a thriving community of over 2,000 touch rugby enthusiasts in Hong Kong, while also working closely with schools to provide opportunities to students. 

Confirmed Hong Kong China Squads 

Hong Kong China Men’s Open 

CHAN Ho Hin (Neo Touch)  
CHEUNG Pui Hang (Zion)
CHEUNG Tsz Fung (Zion)
CHOW Ka Ho (Zion)
LAU Chin Yan (Zion)
LEE Siu Nam (Buccaneer)
LEUNG Chung Hin (Zion)
LO King Sum (Raven Touch Football)
NG Wai Lok, Wallace (Raven Touch Football)
PANG Ho Lam (Neo Touch)
TANG Pak Fai (Buccaneer)
TO Kai Shing, Stanic (Galaxy Touch Hong Kong)
WONG Cham Lok (Raven Touch Football)
WONG Wai Lun (Neo Touch)
YAM Hin Chun (Raven Touch Football)
YEUNG Chit Lun (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
Coach: YONG Chi Fung Zanio
Manager: LIU Kam Ping

Hong Kong China Women’s Open

CHAN Shuk Ki (Neo Touch)
CHAN Wing Yi (T8 Touch Football Club)
CHIU Cin Yei Victoria (VIC Storm, Australia)
CHUNG Ka Ling (Raven Touch Football)
BENNET-THORAK Elderi (T8 Touch Football Club)
BOTHA Tyler (T8 Touch Football Club)
FONG Chun Sin (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
HAI Siu Ki (Raven Touch Football)
HAU Jing Ting Hayley (Zion)
LAW Hoi Ching (Raven Touch Football)
LOK Ching Lam (Raven Touch Football)
NG Lok Ching Sonia (Buccaneer)
PANG Hiu Lam Mila (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
WONG Chi Ling (Raven Touch Football)
WONG Ching Hei Victoria (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
YIM Chung Sze (Neo Touch)
Coach: WAN Kwok Kwong
Manager: LEE Sunny

Hong Kong China Men’s 30s

AU Chi Wai (Rebels)
CHAN Tsz Him (Zion)
CHEUK Ming Yin Ricky (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
CHEUNG Ho Ning Charles (T8 Touch Football Club)
HO Sai Ah (Raven Touch Football)
LAM Wan Chung Nick (Buccaneer)
LAU Hon Wang Sunny (Zion)
LO Wai Chun (Raven Touch Football)
REEVES Bernie (T8 Touch Football Club)
TO Yat Fei Jason (Zion)
TSANG Lik Fung Alex (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
WONG Man Chung (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
Wong Raymond (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
WU Ka Sing Michael (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
YAU Jun Tang Felix (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
YIP Siu Hong Kenny (Galaxy Touch Hong Kong)
Coach: EGUCHI Ryoma
Manager: BELL Storm

Hong Kong China Men’s 40s

CHOW Chi Hoi Ocean (Drink or Home)
FLOWERS Justin (T8 Touch Football Club)
FORD Andrew (T8 Touch Football Club)
HO Cham Sum (Greenobo) JOE Brendon
(T8 Touch Football Club)
KAHU Kirk (T8 Touch Football Club)
KOO Chun Hung (Rebels)
LIN Dennis (T8 Touch Football Club)
MASCORD Daniel (T8 Touch Football Club)
MO Michael Man Kit (Greenobo)
NG Chris (Blue Dragons)
NG Shu Wah (Rebels)
NGAN Sai Shing (THT Shiaolin Touch Club)
WONG Benjamin (T8 Touch Football Club)
WONG ISSAC (T8 Touch Football Club)
YUEN Hay Yan (Sun of Grapes)
Coach: MO Man Kit Michael
Manager: LAI Nok Hei

Hong Kong China Women’s 27s

AU YEUNG Tsz Lam (Thunder)
HAU Jing Man Jasmin (Zion)
KWOK Ka Hei (Tai Po Dragon)
KWONG Sau Yan Ivy (Tai Po Dragon)
LAM Ching Man Keri (Bomber)
LAM Ka Man Carman (Galaxy Touch Hong Kong)
LAM Luk Ying (Yellow Bull)
LAM Wing Chi (Raven Touch Football)
LI Mei Shan (Zion)
LIM Katherine (Greenobo)
LO Tan Tung (Neo Touch)
NG Ka Yu Gwenda (Neo Touch)
TANG Sin Chi Phyllis (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
TSANG Yuen Ying (Yellow Bull)
WONG Man Chi Grace (Galaxy Touch Hong Kong)
YEUNG Hei Tung J (Neo Touch)
Coach: LI Eric
Manager: KWONG Sau Yan Ivy

Hong Kong China Mixed 30s

CHAN Lut Ting Lawrence (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
CHEUNG Kin Pong (Neo Touch)
FAN Yat Hei Alexander (HK Scottish Folds)
IP Ho Yin Gordon (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
LAM Ka Yan (Rebels)
LI Annabelle Rachel (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
LI Kin Chung (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
LI Yee Yuen Diana (RAA Pacific Touch Club)
LIM Kin Sang (Neo Touch)
NG Man Lung (The North District)
SIU Sheung Yee Stephanie (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
WONG Tsz Shing (Zion)
WONG Ying Faat (Pillar Sports Phoenix Touch)
YIP Wai Ying Emily (Blue Dragons)
YU Man Fung Oly (Zion) 
YUE Hin Wing (Zion) 
Coach: WONG Ying Faat
Manager: SZETO Wing Chung

HONG KONG CHINA REFEREES

CHIN January Hong Ting
CHONG Fuk Hei Pinky
FAN Chun Yin Peter
LAM Cheuk Hang Nathan
LAU Chi Chun Roy
LAU Sing Lun Nico