In May 2019, World Rugby launched a global campaign aiming to revolutionise Women’s Rugby, driving increased participation and engagement amongst fans, audiences, players and investors in the women’s game. Featuring 15 inspirational women and girls from around the globe, the campaign highlighted female rugby role models, emphasising how they challenged barriers and became empowered through rugby.

It’s Hong Kong’s turn.

Meet our ‘Unstoppable’ women within the Hong Kong Rugby community.

Name: Melody Li

Melody is a born and bred Hong Konger. A full time rugby player, training and coaching in the week,  on weekends she spends time with her family and friends, and regularly attends church.

Her first experience of rugby was through touch rugby in school, before a friend recommended sheto join Gai Wu which is where she learnt to tackle. At Chinese University she played in both the 15s and 7s teams before her National 15s team debutin 2012followed quickly by selection for the 7s development squad. Melody featured in the Asia Rugby Championship and World Cup Qualifiers, but unfortunately got injured for the World Cup. She did however come back stronger and is now the Hong Kong National 7s Captain.

Favourite moment: Representing Hong Kong in the 7s and playing 15s at home.

Quote: In rugby there is “always a position for you…big or small, fast or slow”.

Name: Wong Chi Ling Rebecca

Rebecca is a fourth year student at EdUHK and loves her rugby. On Mondays and Fridays she can be found at National Touch training, Tuesdays and Thursdays at EdHKU training, Wednesdays and Sundays  at Raven Touch FC training and Saturdays are for Summer League or Super League.

She started playing touch rugby in primary school and went on to join Thunder Touch Football Club. In 2014 she was invited to play with the National Squad and since then has experienced overseas tours to China, Singapore and the Philippines, plus played at the Touch World Cup.

Favourite moment: Representing the Hong Kong Touch Team at the 2019 Touch World Cup.

Quote: “No matter which physique, body shape, and age you are, I am sure that you can enjoy the happiness the sport gives you”.

Name: Hoty Chan

Born in Hong Kong, Hoty is now mum to a two year old son. She started playing rugby at age 17 and made her National Team debut for Hong Kong at 19. She now has 14 years of experience playing with the National Team. Hoty shares her knowledge and experience through coaching on weekdays, and spends the weekends with her family.  

Hoty was first introduced to rugby through a Hong Kong Rugby Union clinic which took place at her school, as she had not yet found her sport,  her coach felt she had potential to do well, so she kept at it.

Favourite moment: Playing in the East Asian Games in Hong Kong and the Asian Games in China.

Quote: “There are a lot of priorities in life; family, friends, work, sport. Getting the balance right throughgood time management is essential to be the best you can be at Rugby”.

Name: Mary Mok

Former Basketball player Mary is a registered nurse and mum of two. Through her busy schedule, she finds the time to train and play touch with parents from her children’s mini rugby club. She plays for Thunder in the touch league, open division. Mary got into Rugby when her children took up Sunday coaching sessions, which inspired her to sign up to a Hong Kong Rugby Union course in Winter 2016. By the start of 2017, she had joined a touch club and hasn’t looked back since!

Favourite Moment: Playing on the same team as her children.

Quote: “Playing rugby can be the common activity with your family”.

Name: Alice Chung

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Alice never played rugby. Her son started to play at school and so they went to watch the Hong Kong 7s together, resulting in them both falling in love with the game. Alice knew her son wanted to play outside of school, due to pitch limitations, and therefore started a Children’s Rugby Club in Hong Kong East Island District, where the children could play on grass. This has now grown wings and is now know asHong Kong East Rugby Football Club

Favourite Moment: Getting everyone involved in rugby.

Quote: “I am a great believer that rugby is a game for everybody of different body structure; there is no boundary of genius or nationality. Rugby is a great game to strengthen teamwork and encourage a ‘never give up‘spirit. Everyone in the team is a stakeholder and can contribute one way or another”.

Name: Jan Tang

Jan first got involved in rugby through university. During the week she is in the office, but at weekends she is on the pitch officiating matches as a referee. At the age of 24 it may be surprising to some that she is not playing, but officiating. Jan sadly suffered a  career-ending injury in her neck early on in her playing journey, but knowing she wanted to stay involved in rugby, she took part in a training course to become a referee and took charge of her first game in September 2018. She was selected to take part in an exchange program last month givingher the chance to tour to New Zealand and get a wider vision of the referees role.

Favourite moment: Being involved in rugby, even when I can’t play.

Quote: “Rugby is not only for big girls, everyone has the ability to play!”

Name: Cathy Wong

Born in Hong Kong, Cathy really enjoys her sports. She has taught herself basketball, table tennis and numerous other sports. Cathy is at school during the day and spends her evenings  training. After initially thinking it was only for tall, fast people, Cathy started to train more and found that she could use her own skills to be different to others, which worked out well. This allowed for finding her role within the team which allowed her to contribute where others couldn’t.

She fell in love with rugby in 2013 after taking part in a few summer camps, she has now representing Hong Kong. She is looking forward to what is to come in the future and where her rugby takes her

Favourite moment: Traveling to Dubai for the Rugby Sevens Asia Olympic qualifying tournament at the age of 16.

Quote: “Rugby is the most beautiful game in the world for the simple reason that anyone can play”.

Name: Mary Flor Curativo Brizuela (Khaz)

Khaz has been in Hong Kong for seven years after moving here from the Philippines; she is a domestic helper and has two children. She was introduced to rugby through a friend in 2016, having played basketball she took to rugby well and was asked to form a team. This started out with just eight players but has since grown wn to 36. The team train on Sundays at Valley and encourage all household workers to come along and have a go.

This team, known as Exiles Rugby team, have been invited to the International All Women’s Beach rugby festival and other similar competitions. Khaz has taken part in a referee’s course set up by the Hong Kong Rugby Union and is now also a qualified referee.

Favourite Moment: Switching codes to join Valley and play contact this season

Quote: “This sport taught me that sometimes admitting our weaknesses is the bravest thing we can do because with that admission, we drop our shield of pretence, find the courage to face reality, and reach out for the help we need.”