At the joint HKRFU/HK Special Olympics Rugby Clinic yesterday, I was particularly interested in something completely off the script.

I arrived at the Kings Park Sports-ground a wee bit early, while the kiddies soccer league was still taking place.

I decided to take a walk around the Park while the soccer games were being wrapped up. After the final game, I noticed the Kings Park ground-staff getting ready for the rugby.

Having managed sports-facilities back in Cape Town, I sat down with my cameras while the ground-staff were going through their (obviously well-drilled) paces.

I recorded them removing the soccer posts and erecting the rugby poles in less than 3 minutes!

Have a look:

(Video recorded entirely on my Zoopy-branded FlipCam)

Here in Hong Kong, with space at a premium, we obviously have to make do with multi-functional sports facilities.  This is in stark contrast to Cape Town where I used to work, where we had the luxury of huge pitches tailored for individual sports.  What boggles my mind though, is why local rugby players are happy to play on the synthetic pitches we find at Kings Park and at the HK Football Club.  I have seen some horrific bruises and dislocations sustained at the HK Football Club pitch during the GFI HKFC Rugby Tens.

I doff my proverbial hat to you Hong Kong rugby players, young and old.

You are truly brave.

The synthetic pitch offered at Kings Park.  The BlitzBokke had a training session there 2 years ago.

FYI:  Back in South Africa, I qualified as a physical education teacher and taught at a Cape Town high school for six years.  After this, I also worked for the 2004 Cape Town Olympic Bid Team, helping to organise several international sports events (eg. the World Cross Country Championships in Stellenbosch, the World Junior Weightlifting Championships, etc.) as part of the 2004 Bid process.  I also served as the project manager for the SA Olympic Team Training Camp in Cape Town.

The Hong Kong Football Club, hosts of the GFI Hong Kong Football Club Tens, announced that the tournament would expand to 24 international club sides.

It was also revealed today that former England international Lawrence Dallaglio would make a special appearance at the Tens in 2011.

The expansion from 16 teams last year is in part a celebration of the tournament hosts’ 125th anniversary celebrations in 2011. This year, 24 international teams from around the world have accepted invitations to take part in the GFI HKFC Tens, the popular kick-off to rugby week in Hong Kong ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens.

“Increasing the field to 24 teams was a natural way for us to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Hong Kong Football Club in 2011. With a free day and a post event party on Wednesday hosted by Tsunami, the GFI HKFC Tens is set to grow on both a competitive and social level, further reaffirming our position at the cutting edge of international ten-a-side rugby,” said Chris Harker, Chairman of the GFI HKFC Tens Organising Committee.

With the increased numbers of teams, the competitiveness of the GFI HKFC Tens is set to further increase, adding to its reputation as the world’s premier ten-a-side rugby competition. Team announcements and the official tournament draw will be held later this month.

The GFI HKFC Tens will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 23 and 24, 2011 at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Former England international Lawrence Dallaglio (Pic: Mail Online)

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has been announced as the face of the Tens in 2011 and will be attending this year’s event. Lawrence was capped an astounding 85 times for England and at all three positions in the back row. He was a key member of the England team that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and the only member of the England team to play every minute of the Rugby World Cup campaign that year.

After initially retiring due to the physical demands of the game in 2004, Lawrence returned to top-flight rugby for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand and was included in England’s 2007 Rugby World Cup Squad. He officially retired again in 2008 winning the 2008 Premiership Final in the same year with London Wasps, the only club he has ever played for. Lawrence has received several honours for his contribution to England sport including an MBE and OBE.

Dallaglio is no stranger to the abbreviated rugby codes having been an instrumental member of the England Sevens team that shocked the world by winning the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993 and playing in the Hong Kong Sevens in 1995 as part of a President’s Seven side in the days of invitational club rugby at the Hong Kong Sevens. On that occasion, Dallaglio and his teammates were edged out by Western Samoa in the Quarter Finals.

“I’ve never had the privilege of playing at the GFI HKFC Tens but am very much aware of the tournament. Tens is something different and clearly there is room for all versions of the game in the rugby calendar. Like sevens, tens is a fast paced, energetic, powerful and skilful game.”

“Hong Kong is a great city, it’s vibrant, it’s buzzing with a lot to do. Around the time of the Hong Kong Tens and Hong Kong Sevens, the whole city is even more exciting. I have not spent a lot of time in Hong Kong so it will be a great opportunity to get out and explore, not just the city itself but the surrounding areas.”

When quizzed about his toughest sevens opponent, Dallaglio paid tribute to a rugby legend who was his immediate predecessor as face of the Tens in 2010, Waisale Serevi. “Without a shadow of a doubt, Serevi was the greatest sevens player I played against. But I should also mention Eric Rush and Glen Osborne of New Zealand who were other great sevens players I came across.”

Face of the GFI HKFC Tens 2010 Waisale Serevi with my son Ethan at last year’s Tens (Pic: Mike Jansen)

During his time in Hong Kong, Dallaglio will help highlight the GFI HKFC Tens and take part in the tournament’s official charity campaign in aid of the Deaf Society of Hong Kong.

Adding to the celebrations this year, the GFI HKFC Tens and official kit supplier Tsunami will be hosting a Tsunami after-party on the Wednesday evening of the Tens.

As part of the HKFC Anniversary Celebrations, organizers have again committed to offer free entry to members of the public on Wednesday, March 23. Entrance for the finals day (March 24) will be HKD$100.

(Picture credits: Mail Online and Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)

While we mere mortals at Howzit-HongKong will probably never be able to join this celebrated institution in Hong Kong, we do have a close connection with the hallowed halls, function rooms and pitches of this Club.

We have, after all covered numerous sports events and a handful of Southern African Association of Hong Kong (SAAHK) Sevens Dinners hosted at the esteemed (no cell-phones allowed, ever) venue.

One of Asia’s most famous sporting clubs, the Hong Kong Football Club, today announced that a specially commissioned account of the Club’s remarkable history is the first in a series of events that will form the backbone of celebrations of its 125th year of existence in 2011.

Denis Way’s magnificent book, entitled “Along the sports road”: The Hong Kong Football Club, Its Environs And Personalities 1886 – 2011“, is a historic journey through the Club’s development and the personalities that had such an influence on not only the Club, but on Hong Kong itself.

Mr Fook Aun Chew, Chairman of the Hong Kong Football Club, said: “When you have an established history of 125 years, it goes without saying that there are many milestones to be celebrated.

“However, there is no doubt that 2011 is a very special year for the Hong Kong Football Club and we are extremely proud of the work that Denis has done on along the sports road and have no doubt that this is the perfect way to kick of our Anniversary celebrations,” he said.

The publication of “Along the sports road”: The Hong Kong Football Club, Its Environs And Personalities 1886 – 2011 is just one of a series of activities planned for the first half of 2011 to celebrate the 125-year milestone.

HKFC members who have competed at the international level celebrate the launch of “Along the sports road: The Hong Kong Football Club, Its Environs And Personalities 1886 – 2011” today with author Denis Way (centre back row), club president Dermot Agnew (front left) and club chairman Fook Aun-Chew (second right standing). The book was launched as part of the launch of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations in 2011

On 12th February, exactly 125 years to the day from the formation of the Hong Kong Football Club, a Members Cocktail Party will celebrate the special occasion. That event will be followed by a Sports Dinner featuring Geoff Miller and other international sports personalities on 5th March, a Family Garden Party cum fete in April and an Anniversary Ball in June.

However, today it was the Club’s detailed history that took centre stage.

Denis has committed three years of extensive research to “Along the sports road”: The Hong Kong Football Club, Its Environs And Personalities 1886 – 2011, working closely with the Club to create an authentic record of the Club’s part in the history and, in part, the development of Hong Kong.

Denis said: “This project commenced almost three years ago and I am extremely grateful for having been commissioned to take up the challenge of producing such a comprehensive story of the Club spanning 125 years.

“I am extremely proud of the result with along the sports road and hope everyone agrees that it is a fitting tribute to such an important Hong Kong institution,” he added.

In addition to “Along the sports road”: The Hong Kong Football Club, Its Environs And Personalities 1886 – 2011, Way’s other books include Fire Horse, a saga of historical fiction set in Shanghai and Hong Kong between 1937 and 1973, and its sequel Dragon Rock.

In 2002, Counting House – The History of PricewaterhouseCoopers on the China Coast, his book commemorating the firm’s 100th anniversary in Hong Kong, was published.

Copies of “Along the sports road”: The Hong Kong Football Club, Its Environs And Personalities 1886 – 2011 are available from:

The Football Club at 3, Sports Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong at HK$390 (approx. USD$50) per copy.

Anna Lee, acting director of the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association (left), and Sean Browne (second right) accept a cheque for HK$125,000 from Dermot Agnew, president of the Hong Kong Football Club (second left), and Fook Aun-Chew, chairman of the Hong Kong Football Club (right), as part of the launch of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations in 2011 today

(This article originally appeared on BlitzBokke.com)

The annual Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens is a big huge date on the calendars of South Africans who call Hong Kong their home or even home-away-from-home.

The Southern African Association of Hong Kong (SAAHK) plays a pivotal part in Sevens-week because they organise the annual SAAHK Sevens Dinner.

The popular event serves as the official welcome for the Springbok Sevens team to the SAR as well as providing Saffas in the City with an opportunity for a good-ol’ Op-skop!

Woop! Woop! Here come the green and gold train again!

Following high on the heels of previous Sevens Dinner speakers Kobus Wiese, Bob Skinstad, and Hugh Bladen, the Association today announced that the Springbok legend Morne Du Plessis has been confirmed as the guest-speaker at this year’s Dinner.

“We are pleased to announce that Morne du Plessis has accepted our invitation to speak at the Sevens Dinner 2011.” said the SAAHK’s Bruce Fowler.

“Morne is a rugby legend in SA and is often described as one of the Springbok’s most successful captains. Playing at number 8, his national career spanned ten years, five of which he was captain.

He was also the manager of the 1995 Springboks which won the famous 1995 Rugby World Cup final. He is the co-founder with Tim Noakes of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa in Cape Town and the co-founder of Bioenergetics of Exercise Research Unit of the University of Cape Town.

His father was also a Springbok captain, and to date, they are the only father-son combination to both captain the Springboks.

We feel truly honoured to have Morne in Hong Kong as our guest over the 2011 Sevens week and trust that this will enhance even more the success of our Sevens rugby dinner.”

The 2011 SAAHK Sevens Dinner takes place on Wednesday 23 March 2011 (6:30pm) at the Hong Kong Fotball Club in Happy Valley.

Stay tuned to Howzit-HongKong.com or our sister-site BlitzBokke.com for more news on the Sevens Dinner.

Here are some images from the 2007 Sevens Dinners:

As well as the 2008 Dinner:

“Vinnige” Fanie De Villiers’ visit to Hong Kong this weekend will coincide with the 2010-edition of the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.  South Africa is of course the defending champions after a nail-bite finish against hosts Hong Kong in the Final last year.

The Southern African Association of Hong Kong will be hosting Fanie at a South African Braai (BBQ) at the Sportsman’s Bar at the Hong Kong Cricket Club in 137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, this Saturday.

Fanie played in 256 tests from 1993 to 1998 and 23 ODI’s from 1992 to 1997. Since retiring from Test Cricket, the former fast bowler has become a television commentator and also works as a motivational speaker.

South African cricket legend, Fanie De Villiers will be in Hong Kong this weekend.

The South African Sixes Team (read more about the 2010 team here) has been invited to join the braai after the first day’s play.

HK$250 gets you a great South African meal (Menu below), 2 hours of beer, wine and sodas as well as the company of some of our country’s great sportsmen, retired and up-and-coming.

Bruce Fowler has written tosay that the menu for the evening will consist of:

Braai

Selection of Boerewors on the Braai

Chicken Peri Peri Skewers on the Braai

Prawn and Vegetable Malay Curry

Braai Marinated Rib Eye Steaks

Bobotie (Lamb and Apricot Jam)

Yellow Fried Rice with Raisins

Pan Roasted Sweet Potato

Pita Bread served with Humus

Salad

Green Bean Salad with Olives, Sweet Onions

Tomato Salad with Green Chillies and Red Wine Vinegar

Yellow Melon Muscadel (Melon Salad)

Dessert

Malva Pudding

The evening starts at 7:00pm for 7:30pm and, as this is at the Hong Kong Cricket Club (HKCC) dress is smart casual. However, since many guests may come straight from the Sixes, the Club will make an exception and does not expect you to be smart casual after a day watching the Sixes.

Children are welcomed so please bring your family and friends. Reservations can be made by e-mailing Bruce Fowler (bfowler@pacific.net.hk) and letting him know how many of you will be attending.  Please respond as soon as possible if you wish to attend as the number of seats is limited.

Here are some images from last year’s tournament to get you in the mood:

Aston Villa won the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens for a record fifth time yesterday (Sunday, 16 May) with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Glasgow Rangers.

Villa raced into a three-goal lead and then held off a strong fightback from their Scottish opponents in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Two players with first team experience – striker Nathan Delfouneso and midfielder Marc Albrighton – made the difference for Villa.

Delfouneso put them ahead after just three minutes and Albrighton added a brace to stun a Rangers team who had entered the final without conceding a goal in the whole tournament.

But inspirational Rangers captain Andrew Shinnie – one of the stars of the weekend – netted a penalty on the stroke of half-time and added a stunning second soon after the break to set up a dramatic finale.

Delfouneso and midfielder Harry Forrester both hit the bar for Villa in a frantic last few minutes.

Rangers, for whom midfielder Shinnie finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals, had to settle for second best again after losing last year’s final to city rivals Celtic.

Villa academy manager Bryan Jones said his coaching staff had come up with a game plan and the players had executed it perfectly.

“We had seen Rangers play and we knew they were very strong in midfield, Shinnie is an excellent player, but we felt we could get at them down the wings and I think it paid off,” he said. “I thought our wide players were excellent, especially Marc out on the right.”

Jones said first team experience was not the only reason Albrighton and Delfouneso stood out during the weekend. “Marc and Nathan have also been to the Soccer Sevens before and that counts because seven-a-side is completely different. You can play in the Premiership and still struggle in this form of football.”

“They know how to play it and I think their experience told in the end. We think they’ve both got a great future in the game.

“Martin O’Neill [the Villa manager] takes tremendous interest in the academy players and if I don’t text him in the next five minutes to tell him the result I’ll be in trouble! He’s very keen.”

Jones said Villa, winners of the trophy four times between 2002 and 2008, felt they owed it to the organisers to bring their strongest possible squad.

“We’ve been coming here for eight or nine years now and we’re so well looked after that we almost feel duty bound to bring one or two ‘name’ players to help bring in the fans. It’s our payback to the organisers,” he said.

Albrighton admitted Rangers had made Villa fight all the way. “It was a great team performance,” he said. “We made hard work of it but we got there in the end.

“Rangers beat us in the semi-finals last year so we knew they were a good side. After we went 3-0 up we got a little bit complacent but we saw it out and it was brilliant to get the victory.”

Earlier, Villa were superb in beating Ajax 3-1 in the quarter-finals, Albrighton scoring twice in-between a fantastic strike from Delfouneso. Forrester was the star of their 3-0 semi-final victory over West Ham United, netting the first two goals before Delfouneso tapped in the third after brilliant approach work from Albrighton.

Rangers had exacted revenge against Celtic for last year’s final defeat, winning their quarter-final clash 2-0 with a pair of Shinnie goals. Shinnie was also the architect of their 3-0 win over Sunderland in the semi-finals, earning and converting a penalty and slamming in a free-kick to give his team a two-goal half-time lead, then setting up Rory Loy for the third.

Soccer Sevens debutants Ajax gained some consolation for their quarter-final defeat by Villa when they beat Celtic 2-0 in the second-tier Shield final – Nathaniel Will and Vlatko Lazic getting the goals.

Aston Villa captain Ciaran Clark (holding trophy) leads the celebrations (Pic:Create Images/Soccer Sevens)

Masters Competition

In the Masters Cup final, KFC Tokyo – a team of expatriate amateur players mainly based in the Japanese capital – secured a surprise 2-1 win over the Andy Cole Jura All Stars.

Manchester United great Cole put his team ahead with a lethal shot early in the game – his sixth goal of the weekend – but KFC Tokyo pulled level within a minute with a brilliant long-range strike from Malaysian midfielder Punanseveran.

French striker David Serene scored the winner with a superb solo effort and the All Stars finished with six men after ex-Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair was shown the red card by Premier League referee Martin Atkinson for two bookable offences.

“We’re very happy, we’ve been coming to the Soccer Sevens for a long time so it’s nice to finally win a trophy,” said KFC Tokyo captain Kirk Neureiter. “We lost in the Plate final four years ago so to win the Cup this time, especially against a team containing so many great players, is just a fantastic feeling.”

See at the Soccer Sevens in 2011!

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The HKFC IP Glogal Hong Kong Soccer Sevens started amidst great anticipation at the Hong Kong Football Club last night.

While most of the foreign players adapted quickly to the hot and humid Hong Kong weather, not everyone found the going easy.  

The Andy Cole Jura All Stars went down to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Singapore Cricket Club Tigers in Pool D – former Singaporean international Nahar bin Daud grabbing the only goal in the first half.

Manchester United legend Cole stayed on the bench until four minutes from time, when he came on to loud cheers from the crowd, but was unable to rescue his team.

SCC Tigers manager Tony Moore was delighted with the result. “We didn’t play well here last year so to come out and get a win like that was great,” he said.

“Obviously when you’re drawn against the ex-pros you’re happy, although you know it’s going to be tough. But even though they had a lot of possession, I thought we played quite well. We’ve got some decent players.”

Former English football legend Andy Cole in action at the HKFC last night (Pic: Create Images/Soccer Sevens)

The Stars of Tomorrow

The HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens boasts a total of 32 teams taking part – 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.

The Main competition – which got underway today (Saturday) has become famous for unearthing the “stars of tomorrow” while the Masters section features former elite players from Europe’s top leagues.

The Main competition has a strong English Premier League presence with four-time Soccer Sevens champions Aston Villa, West Ham United, Birmingham City and debutants Sunderland.

Dutch giants Ajax are making their first appearance in the tournament and are joined by defending champions Glasgow Celtic and the team they defeated in last year’s final, city rivals Rangers.

The HKFC IP Global Soccer Sevens concludes tomorrow with a day pass (Sunday) priced at HK$120 per adult. Children under the age of 16 are admitted free.

Organisers of the 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens announced today (13 April) that Dutch football giants Ajax will make their debut at next month’s Soccer Sevens.

Another English club in the form of Sunderland will also make their first appearance in the tournament and will be joined by Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Ham United.

Last year’s Soccer Sevens winners Glasgow Celtic are returning to defend their title while the team they beat in the final, arch rivals Rangers, will also be back.

Former Manchester United and England striker Andy Cole will lead his own team in the Masters competition while other ex-Premier League players will feature for the IP Global All Stars, Southampton Veterans and Nottingham Forest All Stars.

Cole was guest of honour at Hong Kong Football Club earlier today as the draw for the 2010 tournament took place.

Andy Cole receives his HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens team shirt from Tim Murphy, MD IP Global (Pic: Thomas Lam/Soccer Sevens)

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” he said. “Hong Kong is a lovely place and I’m looking forward to coming back out here next month to play some football and to enjoy myself.

“I’m in the gym four times a week, so I keep myself in shape. I’ve got a charity game for United on 1 May so I’ll be using that to get myself ready for the Soccer Sevens.”

Ajax rank as one of the world’s greatest clubs, with four European Cup triumphs and countless domestic titles to their name, and tournament organisers were delighted to announce their participation.

Soccer Sevens chairman Tony Bratsanos added:  “It is no exaggeration to say that the Ajax youth academy has produced more truly great players than any other club in world football, including the legendary Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert, to name just a few. We are extremely excited to be seeing the next generation of Ajax stars in action here in Hong Kong.

“Andy Cole, meanwhile, has been one of the modern era’s great strikers. He won the Champions League, five Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United, was capped 15 times for England, and ranks second in the all-time list of top Premiership scorers with 187 goals – all adding up to a truly fantastic career. I’m sure Hong Kong fans are looking forward to seeing him in action.”

The 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will be held from 14-16 May at Hong Kong Football Club with a total of 32 teams taking part, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.