HSBC launched the new HSBC Try Rugby programme at a ceremony held today at S.K.H. St. James’ Primary School. HSBC Try Rugby is a new community programme designed in partnership with the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) to create a fun and exciting teacher coaching programme to spread the knowledge and skills nurtured in the game of rugby at primary schools. The three-year sponsorship programme aims to give more local children the opportunity to experience Rugby Sevens by providing the resources required, both education and equipment, to teach rugby in primary schools.

Kevin Martin, Regional Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at HSBC said, “The survey result has further validated our approach of introducing the sport to schools via rugby coaching and the education of PE teachers. As the title sponsor of the greatest Rugby Sevens tournament in the world hosted right here in Hong Kong, and at a key time for the game with the increasing profile of Rugby Sevens after the recent Olympics, we at HSBC believe it is the perfect time to provide the local community with a programme that grows the game through providing equipment and education to schools."

“HSBC is determined to make a difference in this matter. The proposed programme will partner with The Education University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Rugby Union to educate, coach and provide PE teachers with sufficient resources to introduce rugby - in its simplest forms of Touch and Sevens - to their respective primary schools – making the game possible even on a basketball court,” said Martin.

Being a proud sponsor of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the Hong Kong National Men and Women’s teams, HSBC is committed to further developing the sport in Hong Kong and bringing new audiences and participants to the game. “The Future of Rugby: An HSBC Report” launched by HSBC last year predicted that Asia is the next frontier in rugby development, in which Hong Kong and Greater China are leading the growth of the game.

Following the predictions in the report, HSBC commissioned survey specialist Ipsos to conduct an online survey in Hong Kong, in the fourth quarter of 2016, to understand the perceptions of rugby sevens among the Hong Kong public and local parents. The respondents revealed an enthusiasm for rugby sevens that is not being met by opportunities to play the game.

The survey found 92% of interviewed Hong Kongers feel rugby sevens is a fun and exciting game, while 84% believe it’s suitable for everyone to play. Most (78%) parents of primary school children would want their kids to play rugby if the school introduced it. The online survey also revealed that the overwhelming majority of surveyed parents (94%) agree that rugby sevens is suitable for Hong Kong children.

In the Hong Kong primary school system, rugby is not an essential part of the PE curriculum, and more often than not, the sports are decided upon by individual PE teachers. Often rugby is not included due to a combination of reasons including a lack of access to pitches and resources.

The Department of Health and Physical Education of EdUHK will facilitate the inclusion of rugby in the PE Teacher Education Programme, and work with the HKRU to provide the HSBC Try Rugby Resource Pack and the HSBC Try Rugby Starter Pack for those studying to become PE teachers. The packs will provide lesson plans and the necessary equipment for teaching the sport. The programme will also reach out to existing PE teachers through HSBC Try Rugby Coaching Seminars, with the first one targeted to be held in March.

“The Education University of Hong Kong is delighted to be part of this partnership. We appreciate and respect HSBC’s support in introducing rugby to local schools, and look forward to seeing the continued development of our youth,” said Professor Daniel H.K. Chow, Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education at The Education University of Hong Kong.

The programme will be facilitated in the schools by the Hong Kong Rugby Union. “We are proud to be in this partnership with HSBC and The Education University of Hong Kong. The launch of this programme means that going forward every new PE teacher who graduates from The Education University of Hong Kong will have attended the rugby coaching course, and will have the resources they need to get their students playing. This also means that a much greater number of boys and girls will be given an opportunity to participate in rugby over the coming years through the initiative, and in turn through this great sport will be exposed to key values such as respect, friendship and sportsmanship,” said Pieter Schats, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union.

Former school teacher and the 2016 Olympic Gold Medal winning Rugby Sevens coach Ben Ryan and Hong Kong National Team player Cado Lee were present at the launch to show their support. A short session was coached by the Olympic coach for an excited group of primary students from S.K.H. St. James Primary School.

Ben Ryan recounted his experiences as coach of the Fiji sevens team, “Fiji is a prime example of world class rugby arising from a low resource environment. Rugby can be a simple game, and the more support, resources and education coaches and players are given, the better they will learn and appreciate the game,” said Ben Ryan.

Apart from providing the resources and education to school teachers and the sponsorship of primary school “touch rugby” tournament, HSBC Try Rugby also looks to extend its reach to the youth and a wider general public. HSBC Try Rugby activation booths with interactive games will be set up at Hysan Place, Chater Garden and in the HSBC Sevens Village at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens to encourage the public to try rugby.