Hong Kong Cricket Club have announced that the rugby section of the club will close down and merge with HKU Sandy Bay effective immediately.
The full details of the announcement are here:
Hong Kong Cricket Club (HKCC) has had a proud tradition in rugby both on and off the field since 2003. Despite HKCC’s lack of on-site rugby facilities, HKCC Rugby Section has an enviable reputation and has been highly competitive over a number of seasons in the Premiership and other levels, including winning the Premiership on several occasions. Through HKCC’s successful affiliation with HKU Sandy Bay RFC for almost 10 years, HKCC has been able to further support the development of both new players and coaches. This affiliation has contributed significantly to the development of local rugby especially on West Island Hong Kong.
Over the past few months, HKCC and the Rugby Section have been considering how rugby in Hong Kong is evolving and how HKCC can best respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the sport, including the increasing drive towards high performance rugby and the desire to create a ‘top to bottom’ structure encompassing all levels of rugby from high performance to social grade to youth and mini rugby. To continue supporting the development of rugby, HKCC and the Rugby Section have participated in extensive discussions with key stakeholders and proactively explored a number of options within the constraints of the Club’s on-site facilities and governance as a not-for-profit members’ club.
After careful consideration, focused around how HKCC can best support the development of rugby in Hong Kong, it has been agreed that the Rugby Section will transition away from HKCC and officially merge with HKU Sandy Bay RFC at the end of 2017/18 season. The combined rugby club will be one of the largest in Hong Kong, with approximately 1,000 players, and encompass all levels of rugby from high performance to social grade to youth and minis. HKU Sandy Bay RFC’s committee has recently unanimously approved the merger and transitional arrangements are currently underway.
The transition of HKCC Rugby Section to HKU Sandy Bay RFC will enable the sport to continue to develop at all levels and provide the operational flexibility and agility needed to fund and support the continuing development of the sport of Rugby at the highest levels.
This is truly an exciting opportunity that will create playing opportunities for all members of the community, further develop the sport of rugby in Hong Kong, and allow players to reach their full potential at whatever level they choose to play. HKCC and the Rugby Section are both committed to ensuring that there is a smooth transition to, and successful future for, rugby at HKU Sandy Bay RFC.
