The festive season is a great time to be in Hong Kong. The hustle and bustle of this incredible city slowed down, and youth sports became the forefront.
AIA football is played at the Hong Kong Football Club on Boxing Day. The Hong Kong Junior Football League organizes games from early morning to afternoon.
But as everyone enjoys the last few days of the year and looks forward to the new year, the Hong Kong Rugby community gears up for the New Year's Day Youth Day Rugby Tournament.
The tournament is in its 56th year and is a marked event on the Hong Kong Rugby Calendar. It has seen many future Hong Kong and International players don their boots.
With a healthy crowd of 2000 players, supporters, officials, family, and friends, we were gathered at the Hong Kong Football Club to watch four thrilling and exciting age-grade matches.
The day also allows young, upcoming, and talented rugby players to showcase their skills and talent.
The New Year's Day rugby tournament program and scores:
U16 Girls Hong Kong Dragons (10) vs Overseas Lions (41) play for the Wright Naylor Cup
U16 Boys Hong Kong Dragons (12) vs Overseas Lions (7) play for the George White Trophy
U19 Girls Hong Kong Dragons (36) vs Overseas Lions (0) play in Lassies Quaich Fixture
U19 Boys Hong Kong Dragons (7) vs Overseas Lions (41) play for the Middlesex Cup
The U19 boys' match held paramount importance as many players were part of the Hong Kong team that won the recent Asia Cup. It allowed coaches to identify talent and players to put their hands up for the upcoming World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Having watched and attended the tournament last year, it was great to see all the players' high standards of play, the pace at which they played, and the fundamental skills they showed.
This bodes well for the game's future in Hong Kong, and I'm sure we will hear and see many of the player's names soon.
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