Global Talent Gathers in Hong Kong for the 36th Tradition HKFC 10s

HONG KONG, 2 April 2024

 Today marks the official opening of the 36th edition of the Tradition HKFC 10s, renowned as the World’s Best 10s, set to commence this Wednesday at the Hong Kong Football Club. Players from across the globe have assembled at Hong Kong's celebrated Happy Valley, ready to showcase their skills in a two-day rugby extravaganza that combines emerging talent with seasoned international experience.

This year, the tournament takes a significant step forward in promoting the growth of the women's game, expanding its women’s competition from five teams to eight. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing more opportunities for female athletes and shining a spotlight on women's rugby, a testament to the sport's growing popularity and the increasing recognition of women's contributions to rugby on a global scale.

Featuring 12 men’s and 8 women’s teams, the competition is prepared to offer a display of fast-running, hard-hitting rugby action. As the international rugby community sets its sights on Hong Kong, the Tradition HKFC 10s promises to be a festival of sport unlike any other, highlighting the unifying power of rugby and the thrilling level of play it brings to the field.

Among the favourites are the Ashbury Tropics, boasting a star-studded line-up that includes Fijian-Australian ex-international Nemani Nadolo, and managed by English Rugby World Cup and Olympics representative Heather Fisher. The team made their ambitions clear at today's press conference ahead of tomorrow's kick-off.

Heather Fisher, transitioning from player to coach after her recent retirement, shared her insights and excitement for coaching at the Tradition HKFC 10s. She expressed: “It’s always a very scary time retiring but being able to keep the game alive and coach both the girls and the guys and creating the new generation coming through; it’s very exciting. When we’re playing, we just do what we do, and we just take it for granted. So, to be able to pass that knowledge along understand the different relationships with players and understand combinations and have the best out of players and handing over that trust.

There’s a massive responsibility to give the player the opportunity to play and especially when the women’s is on the rise – they’re where they should be, but not where they need to be. That’s still growing. And it’s really important to recognise that Hong Kong has been brilliant in terms of giving women a platform and opportunity. And we appreciate that. Women have earnt the right to be where we are, and we’re still fighting to be better over time. So, for me, the result is almost irrelevant. If we get the people right, the performance right, and for me, performance is longevity and the legacy.”

Fisher highlighted the tournament's role in elevating players' careers, stating, “There are some players here who this will be the biggest platform they’ve ever played on, and this could be their first, the last, or the middle of their career, you don't know.

And it's pretty exciting that Hong Kong has grown so much, and this time next year you could have two- or three more women’s teams, and it's an awareness piece for the women’s. But for me to be able to build the girls up to be able to play whatever game they want to just increase their confidence because play and express themselves and be creative is what it's about. It's a platform and the field and the opportunities they've got for the show and again, every time you put your shirt on you're just going to grab it with your hands to make the absolute most of the opportunity that you've got.”

Former Fijian-Australian International, Nemani Nadolo, returning to the Hong Kong 10s with the Ashbury Tropics after last participating in 2014, reflected on the influence of his experience and role as a mentor: “I think, players that have had the opportunity to play at that top level, I feel that we have an obligation to help the younger generation coming through, because me myself, I was in that situation one time, and I looked up to the guys who played at the top level, and they've passed their knowledge on to me and, and I think for guys like myself, and Heather, that have played at that level, we have a duty, so to speak, to do that. And what a way to do it here at the Hong Kong 10s. And I've always said to people that the Hong Kong 10s is unearthing the next superstar or the next big thing, we've seen in the past players such as Beauden Barrett and George Gregan, guys like that have come play here, I’ve played here.

So, I think it's hugely important to make sure that we pass that knowledge on because ultimately, that's what they're trying to aspire to be as well. And what a better way to do it than here in Hong Kong.

Discussing his team's preparation, Nadolo emphasized the calibre of teams at the 10s: “It's a tens tournament, so everything happens quick. And you’ve got a lot of good teams here, and well-established teams, and it's easy to get intimidated. But we always say everyone's got two hands and two arms and don't give up and stick in there. And we've got a great opportunity this week, though it's not going to be easy for us. But in saying that we need to go into the mindset of not giving up and proving yourself wrong, that you can get it done and anything's possible. So, I think that's probably the excitement for us, is coming up against these bigger, more established better teams and, and having a genuine dig.”

Roshini Turner, HKFC Natixis Ice, on the opportunity the tournament provides:

“I grew up watching the tournament, I grew up actually playing in the women's showcase, and not even thinking that the women’s tournament would be a thing, so to finally get the opportunity to run out, personally, for me is great, and to be able to represent the club is also great, and there are also a couple of other Hong Kong China players who are getting more exposure and getting exposure against international teams. I think that's what you strive for, as a player, it's just the opportunity to compete and to challenge yourself against the best. There's also a couple of girls who will be featuring in the HKFC Natixis Ice team whoprobably are on the cusp of joining the Hong Kong China squad and giving them thatexposure and actually giving more girls the exposure to be able to do that, I think is amassive opportunity.”

Simon Ryan, Coach, Tradition YCAC said of their title defence: “It was great to have that success last year, but this year there’s no pressure and we’re not here to defend the cup, but to win again. That’s our mindset to take the pressure off. It’s always so difficult to predict what you’re up against in the 10s. The teams always surprise you as it’s such a mixed bag. So, the one thing we try to do is make it fun for people. A lot of the guys come from very structured environments, in Super Rugby Development, New Zealand 7s Development for example, and we’ve got a very young squad this year. So, it’s great to bring them to Hong Kong and put them in an environment they can relax and express themselves a bit more.”

Paul Christopher, Chair, Tradition HKFC 10 organising committee, said of this year’s tournament: “We had a very strong tournament last year, with it being the inaugural women's event, and this year is no different, we have a very international line up, and we really feel that that's it's very exciting to track the calibre of players that we've got this year. We know from feedback from the teams and players, what a special place the Hong Kong 10s is, and what a unique tournament it is. And obviously, we're very grateful to Tradition for supporting Us.”

“We think it's a very prestigious event and want to keep to that very high quality that we've got, we see it very much is a testbed a breakthrough ground for new players. And I'm sure there are going to be players out there that we may well see even in the Olympics later this year, because we know that being tested for that world stage. And we've seen plenty of players from last year, that are in a sevens this year. So, it's that testbed of high quality, new talent, as well as some of the players that may have already had a very high-quality career.

”Gates open at 8:00 am, setting the stage for this premier event, now featuring an expanded and even more competitive line-up. Don't miss your chance to witness world-class rugby live. Tickets are available online at www.hkfc10s.com or www.zicket.co, and at the gate on event days, priced at $120 HKD per day.

As the action unfolds, stay tuned for updates on results, highlights, and all the excitement from the pitch as we witness the convergence of global talent at the Tradition HKFC 10s. With the world watching, we're set to celebrate the sport's thrilling dynamics and the significant strides being made in the growth of the women's game.

The tournament's title sponsor, Tradition, a world leader in professional brokerage activities, is joined by esteemed sponsors such as AIA, Allied World, Mourant, Natixis, Samurai, Streamline Sports, and Taikoo Place, along with Budvar, the official beer sponsor and Stowford Press.

Information and photo source : Ludus Concepts / Hong Kong Football Club