The 2016 Standard Chartered Deaf Rugby Sevens Tournament took place on Wednesday 2nd March at King's Park Sports Ground, with a record number of participants enjoying a day of sunshine, tag rugby, and plenty of fun!

This was the 7th year of the competition, which was previously known as the Chun Tok School 7s; as the number of deaf students at Chun Tok has fallen, the HKRU Community Foundation this year took over the organisation of the event with the assistance of former students Winnie and Wendy as well as the generous support of the more than 20 Standard Chartered Bank staff who not only volunteered to help out on the day, but also had a bit of a run themselves as the day was rounded off with some friendly mixed games.

The 50 plus deaf youngsters who took part are drawn from both Chun Tok and Lutheran Deaf Schools as well as the Hong Kong Association for the Deaf, and the tournament forms part of an ongoing programme with training every Friday evening at the KGV School pitch, led by the Union's Inclusive Rugby Coach, Stuart Gunn."I'm delighted with the turn out today, and also with how well everyone has played," commented Stuart, "Our deaf rugby programme continues to go from strength to strength, and following our tour to Cambodia last summer I'm delighted to announce that we will be hosting a return visit for the Cambodian deaf team this year. None of this would be possible without the support of both the Hong Kong Association for the Deaf and our long-term sponsors Standard Chartered Bank, and we are really grateful for their continued commitment to this programme." In addition to the rugby training, the Community Foundation helped arrange a trip to the AIA Carnival last month, and the students are looking forward to their annual Friday night at the Sevens on 8th April.

"Deaf youngsters face some pretty major challenges when it comes to education," explains Stuart, "and we hope to try and use sport as a way to help build confidence in communication and life skills. The great thing is that there are people out there with ways to help improve the current situation, and the HKRU Community Foundation wants to be at the forefront of helping contribute to making a positive difference."