Police rugby breaks new frontiers
Over the course of the summer, the Police Rugby Club has held a mini rugby training programme for children of Force members to attract new players to what is becoming one of the world's fastest growing sports after its inclusion in the Olympics from 2016. Rugby offers participants an opportunity to take part in a team sport, which emphasises fitness, camaraderie, teamwork and self-discipline, and above all fun.
Over 100 children participated in the programme, which offered them an excellent way to stay healthy, master new skills, learn some English and make new friends in a safe environment. The programme, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all, culminated on August 28 when the Chairman of the Police Rugby Club, Assistant Commissioner (Information Systems) Peter Else, joined the last training session of the programme to present certificates to the proud participants.
In fact, due to the overwhelming support and interest from parents and children, the Police Rugby Club has decided to formally set up a mini rugby section and continue to offer mini rugby training to children of Force members (regular, auxiliary and civilians) and already have over 75 children signed up. The training will continue to be conducted by qualified coaches and volunteer members of the club between 10 am and approximately 11:30 am every Sunday at the Police Sports and Recreation Club (PSRC). The training will continue to be non-contact and no previous experience of the game is needed.
The club also welcomes adults, men and women, who are either new to the game, or have taken a sabbatical absence from the game and fancy lacing up their boots again. For adults, training is conducted again by qualified coaches every at the PSRC between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
In other news, the club played its first friendly game of the season against the UK Lions on September 3 at the PSRC. The game offered an opportunity for players to dust off those cobwebs and was a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Although the UK Lions, a team made up of Hong Kong students studying in the UK, showed themselves to be "slightly fitter" than some members of the Police side, the experience that comes with age and maturity showed through in the end with the Police winning 34-29.
Next up will be a club friendly day at the PSRC. The season itself kicks off for real on October 8.
Finally the Force was represented in the Disciplined Services 7 a side rugby team that has just competed at the World Police and Fire Games in New York. The team, comprising members of the Correctional Services Department, Fire Services Department and Customs & Excise Department as well as Inspector Clement Leung Chun-chung and Constables Chan Ka-man, Wan Cheuk-lun and Wong Kai-wing, performed incredibly well, notching up spectacular victories over the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department and French Police. These outstanding results took the team to the final where in what was an extremely hard fought game, the team eventually had to settle for the silver medal.
Anyone interested in enrolling their children in mini rugby or playing themselves should contact the Police Rugby Club by emailing hkprugby@gmail.com.
The kids are elated with the
certificates presented by the Chairman of the Police Rugby Club, Mr
Peter Else