The Hong Kong Mini Rugby Football Union (HKMRFU) was established in the 1980s and has since grown to include 20 active clubs with over 4,600 children under the age of 12. Starting at the age of 4, girls and boys can join one of the mini rugby clubs where they will be introduced to the sport in a safe, fun and structured environment.
Mini rugby takes the children through an age grade pathway easing them in from modified touch rugby to the contact form of the game by the time they reach U9 level. Initially boys and girls play in mixed teams, but from the U10 age group there is the option to play in an all-girls team at the Mini Rugby Festivals.
Accompanied by their parents, children play rugby every Sunday morning from September to April. Mini rugby appeals to both local and expatriate children. Through mini rugby, children can develop teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship and benefit from cross-cultural communications.
Mini players can participate in any of the six festivals: Valley Fort RFC, Tai Po RFC, Flying Kukris RFC, HKU Sandy Bay RFC, USRC Tigers RFC, Hong Kong Football Club.
There are also occasional overseas tours, but the highlight of the season is the Hong Kong Sevens (currently Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens) held in March each year. During the Sevens, some of the children get to play curtain raiser games at the Hong Kong Stadium in front of thousands of rugby fans.
Mini rugby for girls is growing at a fast pace. Girls between the ages of 4 to 12 years old can join one of the many Hong Kong mini-rugby clubs. At this level, players are introduced to the sport in a safe, fun and structured environment which takes them through an age grade pathway from modified touch rugby to the contact form of the game by the time they reach U9 level. Initially, boys and girls play in mixed teams, but from the U10 age group up, there is the option to play in an all-girls team at certain rugby clubs.
For more information, please contact:
Joseph Szeto
HKRU Rugby Operations Leader (Youth & Mini)