HYSAN X HKCR PARTNERSHIP CHARGES INTO SECOND PHASE – CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH RUGBY ACROSS HONG KONG

Six of Hong Kong China Rugby’s (HKCR) youth and performance pathway programmes are charging into a new phase, supported by an expanded partnership with Hysan Development Company Limited (Hysan). Hysan, a leading property investment, management and development company with a commitment to community health, wellness and engagement, is supporting HKCR for the fourth consecutive year.

Since 2022 – as rugby’s popularity continues to grow – 5,000 students from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories have been able to participate in the sport of rugby, and simultaneously 70 students have been provided with opportunities for specialised professional training through the Hysan HKCR Academy. A wide range of programmes has evolved from introductory touch to elite performance academies, demonstrating Hysan’s deep and sustained commitment to promoting rugby for youth of all ages. The partnership is built around key elements of HKCR’s 2024-2035 Strategic Plan – including supporting rugby participation, retention and community engagement for young people across Hong Kong. 

Dean McLachan, HKCR’s Executive Director of Domestic Rugby, highlighted the importance of Hysan’s support at what is a historical moment for the sport in Hong Kong:

“It is a hugely exciting time for all of our Hong Kong China representative teams, with our men’s 15s having recently qualified for their first-ever Rugby World Cup [taking place in Australia in 2027], our women’s 15s set to play at the new WXV Global Series later this year, and our 7s teams gearing up for the Asian Games in September.

“A huge focus for us – driven by the support we receive from Hysan – is on our youth and performance pathway programmes. These are designed not only to best prepare players who can step into our senior representative teams in the future, but also to inspire boys and girls across Hong Kong with the opportunity to play rugby and strive to be a part of those programmes.

Ricky Lui, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Hysan Development Company Limited, shared his excitement at the partnership’s success so far:

“Our partnership with Hong Kong China Rugby stems from a shared commitment to advancing the sport in Hong Kong. Rugby is a sport with both local roots and global reach – through our support of youth rugby, we aim to uphold its profound tradition and strengthen community participation. The sport’s emphasis on teamwork, respect, and resilience aligns closely with the core values of the Lee Gardens community. This collaboration has long transcended mere sponsorship — it is a long-term ‘Youth Community Co-creation Initiative’. 

“Since its launch three years ago, the initiative has opened doors to professional training for over 5,000 youth. We have nurtured 70 promising athletes through the Hysan Academy and, following the Tin Shui Wai Regional Hub’s success, expanded the model to Hong Kong Island engaging 11 schools. It is these tangible outcomes and shared vision that led us to renew our partnership this year, reaffirming our commitment to supporting youth development, nurturing future rugby talent for Hong Kong and creating lasting value for the community.”

For 2025/26, Hysan’s vibrant rugby ecosystem includes the Hysan HKCR Academy, the Hysan Youth Domestic League, the Hysan Youth Regional Hub Initiative, the Hysan Secondary School Pilot Programme, and the Hysan DARE (District Active Rugby Engagement) for Primary Schools. An overview of each programme is shown below. 

Hysan also proudly supported the recent Hysan New Year’s Day Tournament 2026, as the iconic event reached its 58th edition. A packed crowd enjoyed eight matches back-to-back at the Hong Kong Football Club, featuring Hong Kong’s most exciting age-grade rugby talent – with many young stars of previous tournaments having gone on to proudly pull on the Men’s and Women’s Hong Kong China jerseys in both 7s and 15s.

Programme Overviews and Updates

Hysan HKCR Academy

The Hysan HKCR Academy is a key part of the Hong Kong China Performance Pathway. Its purpose is to identify and nurture athletes who are skillful, confident and adaptable rugby players, preparing them to excel within senior Hong Kong China representative teams in the future.  Academy players are selected from the top performers in the Hong Kong China Rugby domestic youth league. The programme operates across both U16 and U18 age groups for male and female athletes. 

Since its launch in 2023, the Academy has been highly encouraged by the progress and growth demonstrated by its athletes. In December 2025, a refreshed intake was confirmed following the identification of the top 70 performers in the U16 age band. Academy athletes continue their rugby and physical development through a structured weekly programme, including two gym sessions, one field-based rugby session, and a dedicated performance education session covering key areas such as nutrition, recovery strategies, and mental skills.

The Hysan HKCR Academy is built on a philosophy of high challenge and high support, underpinned by a player-centred approach to develop well-rounded rugby players, athletes and individuals.

Hysan Youth Domestic League 

The league provides structured opportunities for children and youth across Hong Kong to compete in rugby in both 7s and 15s rugby. Leagues are organised by age groups and help bridge the gap between mini rugby and senior levels – and include a Fast 15s format for younger groups. For the 2025/26 season, results and league tables are tracked through HKCR’s GameDay platform and published on the Hong Kong China Rugby website’s Match Centre. Acting as a crucial talent pipeline, the league offers standout players the chance to progress into other performance pathways. 

Hysan Youth Regional Hub Initiative 

Initially piloted in Tin Shui Wai by HKCR, the hubs have now expanded to Hong Kong Island with Hysan’s support – celebrated at an HK Island Regional Hub Fun Day at the South China Athletic Association in September 2025. The hub ecosystems bring together schools, clubs, NGOs and other local organisations, helping to create smooth transitions from school-based programmes into development pathways. Hub programmes integrate leadership and resilience training alongside rugby training, including mentorship from local club players.

Hysan Secondary School Pilot Programme 

Initially launching in Wan Chai and the Eastern Districts, the programme is designed to bridge participation gaps among secondary schools. Twelve schools are taking part in the 2025/26 season, each receiving two demonstration sessions and twenty training sessions. Participating schools are also encouraged to enter Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation (HKSSF) competitions, while students showing strong potential are invited to train at their Hysan Youth Regional Hub or progress to the Hysan HKCR Academy. 

Hysan DARE (District Active Rugby Engagement) for Primary Schools

This introductory initiative provides non-contact touch rugby opportunities, offering a fun and safe entry point to the sport for students from Primary 4 to Primary 6. DARE targets underserved districts across Hong Kong and provides structured pathways for continued participation. Key activities include the Hysan District Primary School Touch Rugby Series, which has engaged over 3,000 youth participants since its launch. The programme also supports schools to prepare for the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation (HKSSF) competitions.

Hysan New Year’s Day Tournament

The annual event expanded in 2026, kicking off the new year in style and attracting 1,500 players, coaches, officials and supporters. The four traditional Hong Kong Dragons vs Overseas Lions matchups took place at U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U19 Girls and U19 Boys – and saw the best players based in Hong Kong taking on their counterparts who are based overseas.

Returning for 2026 (after last featuring in 2020), a U14 Boys and a U14 Girls match gave younger players the chance to be part of the magic of New Year’s Day rugby in Hong Kong. Teams were made up of players from clubs on Hong Kong Island taking on players from clubs on the Peninsula. And new for 2026, additional showcase matches were played at U16 Boys and U18 Boys. These allowed more players in the most competitive categories the chance to play – and were also contested between players from clubs on Hong Kong Island and clubs on the Peninsula.