Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) has announced the appointment of several key positions within its new-look Performance Department, designed to support the growth and sustainability of the local game in Hong Kong.

Led by General Manager Performance Jo Hull, the department is set to welcome four new faces to the team, which includes two new roles, specially created to help achieve HKCR’s long term performance goals. 

Andrew Douglas joins as Head of Technical Rugby, a new position that will lead the Club Coaching Officer Programme to support HKCR’s high-performance rugby, as well as assist and develop the elite coaches on staff, and ensure the continuation of the vibrant domestic competition.  

Douglas hails from New Zealand and has enjoyed a 30-year career in teaching and sports, including expansive coaching experience with New Zealand Schools and the Waikato Rugby Union. On a global scale, he has also coached in Italy, Japan, and most recently for Major League Rugby in the United States, giving him a wide-ranging perspective on best practice in top-level rugby. 

HKCR is also welcoming Siân Moore to the role of Head of Performance Pathways. With 19 caps for Wales under her belt, and experience both playing and coaching for Bristol, Dragons, and Worcester Warriors, Siân is well placed to offer guidance on creating and developing sustainable pathways to feed into our performance programme. One of Siân’s key responsibilities will be to oversee the HKCR Hysan Academy which has a particular emphasis on growing the U16 and U19 pool, nurturing our young talent and securing the future of HKCR’s representative teams. 

There are also two familiar faces joining the performance office – Joe Barker joins us from DAC Kowloon, where he was previously the CCO for the men’s section. With a background in coaching and education, Joe will be taking on an exciting new Talent Development and Transition Coaching position to ensure our younger players are supported in their move to the senior section. 

Well-known Hong Kong and World Rugby Level 3 coach Kevin West has also taken up a great opportunity within the office to become the new Head of Coach Education and Game Development. Kev has coached at the highest levels in Hong Kong, including the women’s 7s and 15s, with whom he helped coach at the Rugby World Cup in 2017, and most recently coached Societe Generale Valley women to Grand Championship success in the 22-23 domestic season. He also has a vast background in mentorship and coaching education and will be a fantastic asset to the team.

Jo is thrilled with the boosting of her ranks as HKCR tackles the question of rebuilding and redirecting post-pandemic performance goals:

“We’re fortunate to have a great existing talent pool in Hong Kong that we can draw from, but to be able to attract some high-level international recruits is really exciting as well. This next phase is all about building a sustainable future and ensuring the success and development of all levels of the game for a long time to come.”