HKFC Rugby

Dear Rugby Section members, sponsors and supporters,

Best wishes for 2012 and I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. As we look for forward to the second half of the 2011-12 season, there’s plenty to look forward while we also celebrate our progress so far.

7th January - Matches re-start the season, with the following league standings:-

· Club Premiere Division 4th place
· Dragons Premiere A Division 1st place
· Scorpions Community League 1 1st place
· Select Community League 2 6th place
· Sequins Community League 2 5th place
· Bulls Community League 3 1st place
· Ice Women's 15 League 5th place

All teams need wins through the rest of the home and away rounds to secure league titles and grand championships.


3rd March - Grand Championship Finals. We are all aiming to end the season winning these games.


16-18 March - Manila 10s tournament has 3 HKFC teams entered, Club in Division 1 in preparation for the GFI Tens , Scorpions in mid level divisions and open to all club players, and Contemptibles in the veterans division. Email keoghyshane@hotmail.com for details.


21-22 March - GFI Tens. Tournament details coming soon, including how to sponsor and VIP package opportunities. Contact Chris Harker at cpharker@hotmail.com


23-25 March – Hong Kong Sevens. Ticket allocation details to be announced soon.


14th April – Taipan’s day. Rugby for all ages to play with and against the best players in Hong Kong. Its a great honour to play in these games, culminating in the prestigious Taipan’s game, hosted by HKFC since 1951. News to follow.


Various dates - Coaching and Refereeing course. Ask Mike Mckee (email: mckee.mike19@gmail.com) to keep you informed of relevant courses coming up.


Next season - Players needed. If you have young high quality players to introduce from anywhere in the world to the Rugby Section, please discuss with Club Captain Antony Philips (email: Antony.Phillips@cbre.com.hk) how to help them strengthen our teams next season. Each season the attrition of age and injury mean we need players to join us.

Alternatively. if you can help with internships, graduate positions and employment generally, we can introduce you to smart, energetic rugby players looking for employment opportunities in Hong Kong.

Congratulations to all the HKFC players who represented Hong Kong National teams in the various tournaments and tours in 7s and 15s matches, including Horse (Steve Nolan), Mike Mckee, Ian Ridgeway, Tom Bolland, Dan Watson, Pete McKee, Adam Raby, James Hood, Guy Payn, Royce Chan, Daniella Means, Kwok Ka and Kim Kan.


A big thank you to all our sponsors:

· Senior Rugby - Newedge, QNet, DHL, CBRE, Talent 2, Guinness
· Youth Rugby - NAB, CLSA, Kennedys, EC Harris
· Tens Rugby - GFI, HSBC, Heineken
Thanks to all our Coaches, Captains, Managers, Committee and volunteers for all your help so far this season. You considerable efforts are very much appreciated by us all. There is a lot of work done right around the section to keep our Rugby going throughout the year. Anyone wanting to volunteer for any of these positions is very much encouraged to contact me or any of the Rugby Section Committee members and discuss how you can help.

Thanks too to the HKFC General Committee, Management and Staff, who provide us with such wonderful facilities of which we are so proud.

To all our supporters. please keep coming down and showing as well as voicing your support. It’s great to play in front of stands full of spectators, in particular HKFC supporters. It’s been fantastic to have all the mini rugby players and their parents join us on Saturdays to watch and cheer on the senior teams. Please keep coming down, we appreciate it.

All the best to one and all for 2012.

Regards,

Damian Babis

HKFC Rugby Section Chairman