 New Chairman of the Hong Kong Police Rugby Club Rod Mason accepting the "31 Trophy" from John Justin |
THE dictionary defines rugby as a
form of football played with an oval ball which may be kicked or carried. For those who play,
however, it is a physically and mentally demanding game which allows for individual flair
but is based upon solid teamwork. In short it represents everything in a sport that a police
officer also aspires to in his work.
The Hong Kong Police has a long and rich history with the sport which has spawned many international players. Its fortunes as a team have varied from year to year but it has always been a sporting club on the field and renowned post match hosts. A recent ruling saw the club restricted to police officers only and while this resulted in a more partisan team it undoubtedly affected the club's ability to compete at the highest level. | |
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Last year the police fielded two teams: the 'first' team played in the third division while the development side (Police Panthers) consisting of mainly local officers, played in the fourth division. Both sides acquitted themselves extremely well, with 'firsts' coming away as League Champions having lost only one match the whole season, and also capturing the Knockout Cup trophy which included teams from the second division. The Panthers came a very creditable second in their league and also won a sevens competition which again included teams from a higher league. To top off the season, police were in addition recipients of the coveted "31 Trophy" on offer to all teams in Hong Kong and awarded by the Hong Kong Society of Rugby Referees to the team which best exemplifies the standards of conduct, sportsmanship and general attitude that should be associated with the game. Last awarded to police over a decade ago, kudos indeed for the 1997-98 team. The club also has a social side in the guise of the "Old Bill" which provides for those officers unable to commit to regular league fixtures but who remain interested in the occasional "outing" whether in Hong Kong or overseas, representing the Force vigorously both on and off the field. This year sees the Police 'firsts' promoted to the second division with some very difficult and challenging matches ahead. The Panthers will continue against their old adversaries but will hopefully triumph this season. Whatever the outcome both teams will play fully committed rugby with common purpose and high aspirations. Anyone wishing to participate in this rewarding sport is welcome to come to training Wednesday evenings at the PSRC (5:45to 7pm). We play Saturday afternoons at the same location. ¡Ð Rod Mason | ||
| Q. The Hong Kong Sevens is a world class featuring the best that rugby has
to offer. Who is Hong Kong's most capped Sevens player?
A. Chief Inspector lan Strange, currently CIP EU KW. Q. Who is Hong Kong's most capped international rugby player?
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TWO Force orienteers won medals
in the Asia Pacific Orienteering Championships held in Beijing from 15-18 October 1998,
competing against, opposition from as far away as Russia, Canada and New Zealand.
ITB systems analyst, Steve Holmes, a member of the Hong Kong Team, scooped bronze medals in both the men's elite classic event, and in the team relay event. Steve has also been recently nominated by the Orienteering Association of Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Coca-Cola Sports Star Award for his acheivements during the past season. |  Orienteering Club members Steve Holmes and Pang Ka-choi back in Hong Kong after their medal winning performance in Beijing |
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Veteran competitor Station Sergeant Pang Ka-choi, of ITTC, collected the bronze medal in the short course event. Sergeant Wong Hak-shun of Traffic NTN, (a silver medal winner at the 1996 APOC), also achieved two top ten finishes in his class in the classic and short course events. Force orienteers have now turned their attention to domestic competition with 24 officers/civilians registered to take part in the local league events which take place on Sunday mornings between October and March 1999. Anybody interested in more information about orienteering in Hong Kong can contact club chairman Richard Morgan on 2860-3667, or vice-chairman William Chan Hung-him on 2814-4345. | |
SPORTING NOTES The Hong Kong Police Golf Society will be holding two family sessions at the Ma On Shan driving range between 1pm and 3pm on 28 November and 5 December (both Saturdays). This is an opportunity to introduce children between the ages of 5 and 15 to golf in a family group. There will be a nominal charge of $30 per adult and a limit of 2 adults and 3 children per family group. Numbers are strictly limited and applications will be received by fax on a first come first served basis bu faxing your request to the Police Golf Society on: 2915-6082. Only successful applicants will be informed by fax. Further family days will be held in the future. If you'd like to test your strength against colleagues of the same age and weight now is your chance. At 2pm on Saturday, November 28 at the PHQ gym, the Police Amateur Bodybuilding and Powerlifting Club will hold its annual championships ¡Ð open to all Force members. The meet will also be used to determine those eligible to attend the 1999 World Police and Fire Games in Stockholm. So why not come out and see how you do? Takes place on Monday 30, November at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Both the men's and women's races start at 10:30am. Registration from 9:30am to 10am. Enquiries: CIP Cheung Wui, CPTI PTS on 2814-4388. Will be held at the PSRC from 16 November to 2 December (preliminary rounds), with a day to be fixed in December for the final. Open to all serving Force members (regulars, auxiliaries, traffic wardens and civilian staff). A Captains' meeting prior to the event will be held at the conference room of the PSRC on 9 November (Monday) at 3:30pm. The maximum entries to this event restricted to 36 teams. Information: 7638-3836, or 2769-4808. This very popular annual event will be held from 24 to 27 December during which time members will drive to Yang Jiang near Hainan Island. There are still a limited numbers of vacancies. Interested members, please contact Lui Kwok-yiu on 2352-9344 or 9414-7857. Friday 20 November at PSRC from 9am to 5pm. Inquiries:2761-2205. Friday 11 December at Pak Tam Chung Country Park, Sai Kung, from 8am to 1pm. Information call: 2761-2205; or 2761-2412. At the Sha Tin Racecourse on Saturday 19 December. The racing day starts at 1:30pm. The Senior Officers' Mess will once again arrange a private box at the racecourse for members and their guests. $300 per person. Enquiries: Philip Cheng on 2746-3481. The second Lantau Race will be held at 10am on Friday 4, December, On Lantau Island. The challenging 14.5 kilometre course is from Shek Pik Reservoir to Tai O by way of Fan Lau. Comprising six categories, the first four-men's open, men's veteran, ladies open and team trophy ¡Ð are restricted to serving NTS personnel (regular, auxiliary and civilian); while the last two-major formation men's open and major formation ladies' invitation-are open to all non-NTS personnel. A registration fee of $60 (cheque payable to: New Territories South Regional AGM Funds) will be levied only for the major formation men's open invitation (a team of three runners from each major formation), and for the major formation ladies' invitation (team of three runners from each major formation). Full joining instructions will be issued by PEN message one week before the event. Information: PR Morgan: 2640-5440; or RSRO NTS: 2640-5448. Events for 1998 have been finalised. If you have an interest in sailing please call to join the club. There are a number of cruising yachts owned by members and a space can normally be found. King's Cup Thailand, Phuket: 2-13 December. Enquiries: Alex Lau:2767-1458, or Charlie Duigan: 2860-5010. |
