In an outstanding display of talent and tenacity, the Hong Kong u18s ladies squad battled against strong opposition from France, Canada and Australia at the recent Paris World Youth Games 2018 to reach the Cup Final. Sadly, the girls’ dreams of winning the trophy at the Stade Alain Mimoun came to a heartbreaking end at the final hurdle when Tribe 7s, the Australian youth 7’s academy team defeated them 29-7.

On day one of the tournament, the Hong Kong team beat Pays de Brest 26-14 and AAS Sarcelles 19-5, and only lost their second pool game 5-26 to Tribe 7s. After defeating Canadian team Celtic Barbarians 15-7 on day two, the team were through to the finals to face rivals Tribe 7s again.

Despite the final defeat, Coach Samantha Feausi was enormously proud of her team. “Overall, I am really pleased with the performance from all the girls, it’s been a very competitive training squad and it was great for the team to experience playing against some of the very best youth 7s players from around the world.”

After six grueling weeks of intensive training and gym sessions, as well as a weekend camp held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute where the girls trained with and played against the Hong Kong senior women’s side, the training squad was narrowed down to the final 12. The Hong Kong squad taken to Paris included senior players Lara Schats and Beatrice Bourron who lead the team by example and performed consistently well throughout the tournament, as well as standout youngsters Florence Symonds, Hana Lane and Anna Birkett who showed true passion and promise for a bright rugby future. The youngest player on the team, Nancy McGillivray, proved she was a force to be reckoned with both in attack and defence, showing no mercy against the much larger teams.

“We took a very young team, with six of the girls 16 years old or below, so we had a very good core of girls to develop over the next few years,” said Feausi.

The competition was the first time the u18 ladies had played outside of Asia, and meant it was the first time that many of the players had faced bigger, more physical European teams. It was also the first time many of the girls had played together as a team. However, in the face of the opponents’ physical dominance, our wily team of Hong Kongers outwitted the opposition with their superior speed and skills. Playmakers Beatrice Bourron, Anna Birkett and Lucia Bolton kept their cool and helped set up some exciting tries for speedsters Florence Symonds and Jess Eden.

Coach Feausi was impressed with the determination and professionalism the girls showed throughout the tournament and is excited to see how the girls continue to develop over the next few months. “The tournament provided the perfect exposure and preparation for the Girls U18 Asian 7s tournament which will be held in October this year. There will be some tough trainings ahead but I’m confident that the girls can go far.”

The Hong Kong u18s ladies squad for the Paris World Youth Games: Anna BIRKETT, Beatrice BOURRON, Lucia BOLTON, Tiffanie DE VRIES, Jessica EDEN, Shanna FORREST, Hana LANE, Nancy MCGILLIVRAY, Amy PYLE, Lara SCHATS, Florence SYMONDS, Anjalika YBEMA