Rugby 7's week Update
I hope you have all recovered from the excesses of the HK Sevens and the build-up week of rugby activity.
For Breakthrough the action started on the Tuesday night with a charity dinner in aid of Breakthrough and Scottish rugby at the GOs mess at police HQs. With the Scottish sevens team, Alastair kellock the ex-Scotland captain and the HK Police Pipe band all in attendance it was a splendid evening. Thanks to Mark Hargreaves all the Breakthrough coaches, who put in so much effort throughout the season, were able to attend and it was a great evening and lots of money was raised.
On Wednesday we entered a team in the Kowloon Rugby Fest at Kings Park. We won 2 games and lost 4 getting knocked out in the Plate semi-final. The Police also had a team entered. Unfortunately school prevented any of our current players taking part but our ex-players turned out in force for us and the Police team, who were a bit short. The lads all attended the tournament dinner and Gunny tells me they had a great time. A picture of the team is below. Breakthrough are also a recipient charity from the Rugby Fest tournament and this year Kowloon and Breakthrough have earmarked a very exciting initiative for using these funds, which I will tell you more about when everything is finalized.
On Thursday lunchtime the HKRU organized a Value of Sport Luncheon, which I was invited to. The panel consisted of Sean Fitzpatrick, Daley Thompson, Christian Cullen and Alastair kellock and besides them there were other sporting greats present, including my own favourite, Frank Bunce. Besides the sportsman there were a few senior HK politicians and some important businessmen from around town and it was great to hear Breakthrough getting lots of good publicity and praise. As we all know there are many youth problems in HK and the panel helped reinforce the importance and value of sport in tackling such issues. Unfortunately this is often overlooked in HK, but occasions like this will hopefully persuade people that it has an important place in addressing such issues.
On Friday many of our boys and girls went to the sevens courtesy of a scheme run by the HKRFU. Those unable to enter with that group, because of their studies, were also fortunate enough to be able to come in later thanks to tickets donated by some generous individuals. We were able to take a small group of the boys up to our main sponsors box, Standard Chartered, where they were lucky to meet up with Daley Thompson and Michael Jones. Pictures of some of the boys and girls at the stadium and in the box are attached.
Thanks to those donated tickets 23 others attended on Saturday and another 23 on Sunday. They all had a fantastic time and were able to appreciate a truly major global sporting event. My thanks to all those who generously donated the tickets.
The season is not over yet. Next Saturday, 23 April, we have been invited to take part in the Taipans Fixtures at the Football Club. The U19s will be taking on the Football Club U19s and with a couple of guests we are hoping to actually beat them. The Kick-off is at midday and your support would be really welcome. There is also lots of other lesser fixtures to follow.
We will continue to train throughout the summer every Wednesday night at the Police Club.