After reaching the Plate final at the Women’s Sevens Series qualifiers in Ireland two weeks ago, the Hong Kong Women’s Sevens team is set to kick off the Asian sevens season.

Hong Kong will take part in the China Sevens, the opening tournament on the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series (5-6 Sept.) in Qingdao.China is the first of two Series events that will serve as the prelude to a two-leg qualification series for the 2016 Olympic Games in November.

Olympic qualification will start on 7-8 November at the Asia Rugby Sevens Qualifiers in Hong Kong. To purchase tickets please visit: http://www.ticketflap.com/en/events/653/

Eight Asian women’s teams are taking part across both the Series and Olympic qualifiers: Hong Kong, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

With the Olympic qualifiers looming, Richards is keeping her team grounded: “It is the dream of every girl in the programme to play in the Olympics, but Asia is still extremely important to us. It’s good that we have two tough tournaments on the Series before November - and against the teams we will play in the Olympic qualifiers.”

Richards has set the bar high for the squad, with the team’s objective “to finish better than where we did in 2014.”That means beating out one of the traditional powerhouses, Japan or China, for a second placed finish in the region after Hong Kong finished third last year.

The team has posted a couple of notable wins against defending Asian champions China already this year at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Women’s Sevens in March and at the Women’s Sevens Series qualifiers in Ireland.

“It was good to get the win against China in Dublin, especially in a close game like that. That was their front line team, while the China side in Hong Kong may have been a bit inexperienced. It will give the girls confidence. With back to back wins it’s important that we maintain that momentum but we’re in the same pool so will be facing them again in Qingdao. China is a very good side so we are expecting another extremely tough match,” added Richards.

The experience in Ireland will have helped prepare the team for the challenges that await on this year’s Series:

“Tournaments give you momentum,” said Richards.“It was tough in Ireland because we hadn’t had a tournament in four months. There was a sizeable time difference, conditions were cold and wet and we hadn’t traveled that far before for a tournament. Then losing Royce [captain Royce Chan] to injury in the first game put a bit of strain on the team and that may have shown in the Plate final versus Brazil. We were a bit tired. But considering all this I was pleased with how we played in Ireland,” said Richards.

Richards has made four changes to the side from Ireland for the Asian opener. Of the changes, one is injury enforced as captain Royce Chan Leong Sze was sidelined in Hong Kong’s opening match in Ireland.In her stead, Christy Cheng Ka Chi steps into the captaincy role for China with the versatile Nam Ka Man likely to see increased playing time in the front row in Chan’s absence.

Richards is using Qingdao as an opportunity to look at some players on the fringes of senior selection: “Before last weekend, we haven’t had a tournament since March, so the girls need a chance to put their hands up for the Asian series and the coaches need a chance to see them in action,” Richards said.

Two players will make their return after significant injury lay-off in Colleen Tjosvold and Stephanie Cuvelier. For Tjosvold it is her first senior action since injuring her shoulder last October at the Beijing Sevens, while Cuvelier is also returning from a lengthy shoulder issue. Richards has also called Melody Li Nim Yan into the squad for China and given an opportunity to a new contender in the sevens set-up in Chong Ka Yan.

“Ka Yan is a speedster, which is something we need. Aggie, (Poon Pak Yan), played great in Dublin but she ended up playing every minute of every game, so we need to increase our depth in the speed stakes and Ka Yan has potential. She is quick on her feet and is a very balanced runner. It will be good to see how she goes in Qingdao,” Richards said.

A natural athlete, Chong picked up rugby only two years ago while attending university. She played basketball, handball and track and field before switching sports. “I am concentrating on rugby now because it is really exciting and the combination of speed, strength and skill needed is unique and interesting for me,” said Chong.

Chong is enrolled as a potential athlete at the Hong Kong Sports Institute and credits her time there for helping her advance rapidly in her development.

“My progression has been a lot faster since joining the Institute. The training has been helpful for me in developing the unique mix of skills that rugby demands.”

Chong is keen to get stuck in at senior sevens level. “I’m excited at the chance to compete against different countries. It’s my first selection in the senior squad so it’s definitely a learning opportunity for me. My goal is to show progress and to take in as much as I can from my teammates. I need to keep my work rate high and have confidence in the team and in myself to have a go when I get the ball in hand,” said Chong.

Hong Kong will be pooled alongside China, Sri Lanka and Singapore in Qingdao. Japan, who qualified for the Women’s Sevens Series in Ireland, head a physical Pool B alongside Kazakhstan, Thailand and Uzbekistan.Match action starts on Saturday, 5 September at 10.14 when Hong Kong face off against Singapore. Hong Kong then play Sri Lanka at 13.10 before facing off against the hosts China at 17.04.

Hong Kong Squad for China Sevens:CHENG Ka Chi, Christy (captain); Natasha OLSON-THORNE (vice captain); NAM Ka Man; Amelie SEURE; Candy CHENG Tsz Ting; Aggie POON Pak Yan; SHAM Wai Sum; Colleen TJOSVOLD; Stephanie CUVELIER; KWONG Sau Yan; LI Nim Yan Melody; CHONG Ka Yan*.

* Senior Women’s Sevens Squad debut