Varcis Group (VARCIS^®) and Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to celebrate sports innovation in Asia and bring the best in sports technology to the region in 2021 and beyond.

The Partnership

HKRU, the governing body for rugby in Hong Kong, is one of the most admired and prolific sports organisations in Asia. The Union organises the world-renowned Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens as part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, as well as a thriving domestic competition and multi-layered Community Foundation programme that supports positive change in society through sport.

VARCIS^®, as the pioneer and master architect of the sports technology ecosystem in Asia, is the organiser of the Asia Sports Tech World Series (ASTWS), which is the leading international brand for Sports Technology conferences across the world.

The inaugural ASTWS will be held in March 2022 alongside the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (“HK7s”). As part of the partnership, VARCIS^® and HKRU will collaborate to promote the newly formed Hong Kong Sports Week comprising the ASTWS, as part of the HKSEVENS Festival showcase events. Thereafter, Hong Kong Sports Week will be an annual event, held in March/April of each year.

HKRU are keen to promote the sport of rugby in Hong Kong and in the Greater Bay Area. Making good use of the vast experience and relationship VARCIS^® has in Asia. VARCIS^® and HKRU will collaborate and jointly develop sports innovation, sports development, educational programmes, special projects and events in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, together with other industry, academic and government partners that seek to raise awareness and adoption of technology in rugby and sports from the grassroots community up to elite competition.

“For decades, HKRU has been the benchmark for sports organisations across Asia and the Sevens is the most spectacular and best organised tournament on the World Sevens Series. To maintain its status as the jewel in the crown of world sevens, they are now looking to new game-changing ideas to re-imagine the future of the athletes, fans, venues, broadcast and wider sports economy for Hong Kong and Asia. Our strategic alignment with HKRU will be the leg of many collaboration with sports, investment, manufacturing and governments to build a sustainable sports tech ecosystem based in Hong Kong.” said Mr. Phillip King, Chairman of VARCIS^®.

“The rapid advancement in sports technology over the last decade has significantly changed the way we watch, play, and engage with sport.” Says Mr Sam Pinder, Chief Business Officer of the HKRU. “The HKRU and the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is looking to the future with a view to embrace sports tech, improve our product offering and inspire a new generation of fans and participants to the game. Our partnership with VARCIS^® aligns us with some of the most innovative thinkers, leaders and tech developers in Asia and enhances our aim of positioning the HKRU on the cutting edge of sports tech innovation and adoption.”

The collaboration cannot come more timely as VARCIS^® has partnered with Australian Sports Technologies Network and their new Australian Sports Innovation Centre of Excellence project, and can bring programme participants to the Hong Kong Sports Week to leverage on the vast opportunities provided by VARCIS^® and HKRU.