The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) extended a very warm welcome on campus this afternoon (17 October) to the Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU), Mr Pieter Schats and the Head Coach of the Rio Olympics gold medallist Fiji Sevens Rugby Team, Mr Ben Christopher Ryan.  The occasion was a ceremony at which the Rugby Union presented a very generous donation to the University in support of sports education.

In his welcoming speech, the Chairman of EdUHK Council and Foundation, Dr Pang Yiu-kai, noted the rapidly increasing popularity of rugby in Hong Kong, and praised the work of HKRU in developing players and encouraging greater participation in the sport, with an emphasis on engaging the wider community.

Referring to his own school days, Dr Pang reminisced that back then chances for a school student to take part in a rugby game were remote indeed.  He said: “thanks to the splendid efforts of HKRU, not only students in tertiary education, but also primary and secondary school students have the opportunity to participate in the sport.”

The President of EdUHK, Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, thanked HKRU for their close collaboration with the University over the past decade, particularly in establishing awards, supporting relevant degree programmes, as well as providing training and practicum in rugby for EdUHK students.

With the presentation of a very generous donation from HKRU to EdUHK, closer collaboration was anticipated in developing a training package for primary school Physical Education (PE) teachers and organising day camps for EdUHK students in PE, efforts that would help our graduates teaching PE in schools to introduce rugby into their curriculum.

“It is a collaboration that demonstrates strong determination and long-term commitment to quality physical education, and to providing rugby training in the education sector,” Professor Cheung said.

Mr Schats was delighted that the formal presentation marked publicly the continuing progression of the HKRU’s partnership with EdUHK.  Emphasizing the importance of sports for young people, he enthused, “We believe that all youngsters in our society should be given an opportunity to participate in sport, not just for the obvious health benefits, but equally because of the core values—such as respect, excellence and friendship—that are continually reinforced through sport, and which are very much the keys to success in life, on and off the pitch.”

Speaking from experience in his distinguished sporting career, renowned rugby coach Mr Ryan stressed the difference that the provision of good facilities would make to successful sports development.

Finally, to the delight of the audience, HKRU gave a demonstration of the game of rugby.  The ceremony closed in a spirit of celebration—of friendship and collaboration.