HONG KONG: I THINK RUGBY HAS TRULY BROUGHT ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY.

1. When did the women’s rugby movement start in your country and what is its history? How is rugby structured in your country?

Rugby in Hong Kong has a long history, introduced by the British during the colonial period. This provided a strong foundation for the development of the sport in general. Women’s rugby began to gain ground in the 2000s, alongside the rise of rugby sevens as an Olympic discipline, which pushed the federation to invest in both the men’s and women’s game.

The First International Competitions

The Hong Kong women’s national team was one of the first to compete at the continental level. Their first participation in the Asian Women’s Rugby XV Championship came in 2006, the inaugural edition of the tournament. That year, the Hong Kong team reached the final but lost to China in an Asian derby, showing from the very beginning that they were one of the region’s emerging forces.

Players and the Growth of the Movement

About twenty clubs currently sustain women’s rugby in Hong Kong, with several senior teams offering opportunities for both experienced players and beginners. Many of these clubs compete in the Premiership and the Championship, reflecting a well-structured and growing league system.

Rugby Sevens and the Path to Professionalism

Hong Kong has always played a central role in sevens rugby, hosting a leg of the World Series (the Hong Kong Sevens), and this has had a positive impact on the women’s game as well. The women’s national sevens team has participated in qualification tournaments for the World Sevens Series, consistently striving to compete at the highest international levels.

Recent Successes and the Future

Hong Kong is now considered one of Asia’s leading emerging powers in women’s rugby. They have won the continental championship and established themselves as the second-strongest team in the region after Japan. The team’s participation in top-tier competitions such as the WXV (World Rugby’s new global tournament) confirms the progress made. The long-term goal is continued growth and, like other emerging nations, qualification for the Rugby World Cup in both XVs and Sevens.

2. Do you think playing rugby has a social impact for women in your country? In your view, what can rugby offer to women in your country?

Absolutely yes. According to Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) and its partners, the social impact of women’s rugby is a central theme and a clearly defined strategic objective. It is not just aspirational but an active part of their development plan.
Official Federation Strategies
Through its charity foundation Rugby for Good, Hong Kong China Rugby explicitly uses rugby as a tool for social change. In their 2025-2030 Sustainability Action Plan, women’s rugby is embedded in a broader context aiming to promote:
Inclusivity and Equal Opportunity: ensuring access for women who might otherwise be excluded from traditional sports, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment across all skill levels.
Empowerment and Skill Development: rugby as a vehicle to build essential life skills such as leadership, confidence, resilience, and teamwork, especially for women and girls who can apply these qualities beyond sport.
Wellbeing and Mental Health: many federation programs address issues such as stress management, body image, and mental health, offering holistic support to female athletes.
Exemplary Projects To implement this vision, the federation collaborates with several organizations and leads targeted projects, including: Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Programme: providing women with leadership opportunities and supporting informed decision-making in their lives. Youth Programs: long-term investment in under-19 development, extending beyond rugby training to include nutrition, stress management, and body image education. The goal is to form “strong and courageous women ready to face the real world.”
In short, women’s rugby in Hong Kong is not only a sport but is officially recognized and promoted by the federation as a driver of social change, harnessing the power of sport to create a lasting and positive social impact.

1. What has rugby taught you that has impacted your daily life? Can you give me an example of when a rugby mindset was useful?

“I think rugby has truly brought me to where I am today. It taught me how to work in a team, how to solve problems not only by myself but with the group… It teaches you so many social skills you can’t learn from a textbook. Over time, I saw them go from jeans to shorts, then to full sports gear. Now it’s a weekly family event… rugby was one of the things I could teach them.”

2. Can you give me 3 words that connect rugby to freedom?

Choice. Giving. Connection.

3. What does live in a land of freedom mean to you?

“Knowing you always have a choice, even when it seems you don’t… You can always choose to give.”

4. What object represents you and why? What is an aphorism that guides your life?

Two very evocative objects:
“A small flower vase with water inside…”
“A small clock that reminds me that time is limited…”
“Be water, my friend.” — Bruce Lee