HONG KONG RUGBY LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY INITIATIVE “HONG KONG’S RUGBY SPIRIT”

28th Jun 2016


The Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) today (24 June) announced the launch of a major new community initiative under the banner of their Community Foundation, “Hong Kong’s Rugby Spirit”, a programme for local primary schools that uses sport as a medium to promote to students the core values of rugby, which are also reflected by Hong Kong’s own values; determination, respect, responsibility, national identity, commitment, teamwork and integrity.

The announcement was made at the Sir Ellis Kadoorie Primary School in So Kon Po, which is the first official participating school partner.In attendance were representatives of programme sponsor, UBS, a longstanding supporter of Hong Kong rugby.To the delight of the Kadoorie students there was a special appearance from Community Foundation Ambassador Jim Hamilton. The mother of the 6ft and 8 inch former Scottish international was born in Hong Kong and is part Chinese.

"UBS is extremely proud to support the Hong Kong's Rugby Spirit program. This exciting initiative, which aims to fulfill objectives set out by the Education Bureau, harnesses values which underpin the sport of rugby not only to encourage awareness about physical well-being and healthy lifestyles but also to help students fulfill their familial, social and civic responsibilities. " said Taichi Takahashi, Head of Equities for Asia Pacific at UBS.


Takahashi further explains: "UBS seeks to contribute to all communities in which it operates and has a long history of supporting Hong Kong Rugby. At the same time our Community Affairs program has a special focus on education and youth.I am confident that our employees will be active volunteers in supporting teachers, coaches and students both in disseminating the values inherent in the rugby community and in enhancing use of English."

Director of Youth Rugby at the HKRU, Case Everaert, spoke of the Foundation’s ongoing work in the community, focusing on “the areas of health, education, disability, juvenile crime and social inclusion”, and noted that the choice of Kadoorie for the launch was particularly apt.

“We were delighted that the first school to sign up for Rugby Spirit was the Sir Ellis Kadoorie Primary School – not only are they our very close neighbor, but we have also had a highly successful programme with the Kadoorie secondary school for several years, with one of their students going on to represent Hong Kong at national Under 20 level.The school's vision is to fully develop student potential, equip them with life-long learning skills, help them integrate into the local community, and develop a global outlook. I am confident that our Union coaches and the UBS staff volunteers will be able to help the teachers and parents realise the vision in the years ahead,” he added.

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