Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens Championships 2024

The Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Rugby Sevens 2024 tournament takes place in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, from 28-29 September. There are 10 Boys and 6 Girls representative teams taking part, which is more than in 2023.

Updated 26 September 2024 (squads & pools)

With the tournament only a few days away and not much announced by the governing body – meaning there is a scant chance of attracting many fans or media who would like to attend and support the national age-grade youth players coming up in the region – This is what we can piece together thus far and we will update the article when more is announced.

This Asia Rugby visual shows 9 countries/regions but the pools show ten.

Competing Teams – Asia Rugby U18 Sevens Championships 2024

The UAE boys and girls in 2023 won the Asia Rugby U18 Sevens Championship which took place in Taoyuan Arena in Taoyuan Chinese Taipei. The tournament featured 13 teams, 7 boys and 6 girls from 7 countries (Chinese Taipei, UAE, Hong Kong China, Thailand, India, Iran, and Malaysia).

In the girl’s section, India was runners-up and Hong Kong China was 3rd. For the boys, Chinese Taipei were runners-up and Hong Kong China was third in 2023.

At the time of publishing, even Macoocoo which Asia Rugby uses for live results and pools, has no information for the 2024 edition.

Number of teams competing – Confirmed:

1. UAE – Boys and Girls
2. Hong Kong China – Boys and Girls
3. India – Boys and Girls
4. Thailand – Boys and Girls
5. Malaysia – Boys and Girls
6. Singapore – Boys and Girls
7. Chinese Taipei – Boys
8. Sri Lanka – Boys
9. Saudi Arabia – Boys – this is the first youth rugby team to represent Saudi Arabia in an international tournament.
10. Brunei – Boys (they don’t appear on the AR visual but are listed in the pool and match schedule we have seen)

Boys Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens 2024 Pools

From the schedule we have seen, each U18 Boys team will play four pool games and a final match for seeding – so 5 matches in total.

Pool A

• India
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• UAE

Pool B

• Hong Kong China
• Chinese Taipei
• Thailand
• Sri Lanka
• Brunei*

Girls Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens 2024 Pools

For the U18 Girls, the schedule we have seen sees all the teams in one pool and everyone plays six pool games and a final match for seeding – so 7 matches in total! Even at the senior level they cap out at six matches over a two-day event.

Pool C

• India
• UAE
• Hong Kong China
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Malaysia

The full schedule and result can be seen here.

Malaysia Boys Squad – U18 2024 Sevens

Malaysia Boys & Squad – U18 2024 Sevens

Hong Kong China Sevens Squads – U18 2024

HKCR Boys

HKCR Girls

Sri Lanka U18 Boys 7s 2024

Rajiv Perera – Head Coach

Saudi Arabia Boys Squad – U18 2024 Sevens

UAE Boys & Girls U18 Sevens 2024

Thailand Boys & Girls U18 Sevens 2024

Singapore U18 Boys & Girls Sevens 2024

Match Officials – Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens Championships 2024

Sri Lanks confirmed that its referees Mr.Gihan Yatawara & Mr.Suranga Aruna Shantha have been selected to officiate for the U18 Asian 7 Championship, while Mr.Anil Jayasinghe is a CMO.

From Hong Kong China, Thomas Ngan and Aggie Poon have been selected – it is Thomas first Asia Rugby appointment.

• Fareez Ashraf Bin Mahzan (Malaysian Rugby Union) – Referee
• Thomas Ngan (Hong Kong China Rugby) – Referee
• Yatawara Dugganna Walawwe D G Y (Sri Lanka Rugby) – Referee
• Wang Zheng Just (Singapore Rugby Union) – Referee
• Palak Poddar (Rugby India) – Referee
• Suranga Aruna Shantha (Sri Lanka Rugby) – Referee
• Rikito Nobuhara (Japan Rugby Football Union) – Referee
• Koki Yamauchi (Japan Rugby Football Union) – Referee
• Aggie Poon Pak Yan (Hong Kong China Rugby) – Referee
• Anil Jayasinghe  (Asia Rugby) – Coach of match officials (CMO)
• Dilroy Fernando (Asia Rugby) – Referee Manager

Johor Rugby Carnival 2024

It also appears the tournament will be run concurrently with the Johor Rugby Carnival which is set to feature several local Malaysian age-grade teams and take place from September 28 to October 6.

• 104 teams from across Malaysia will be competing in the 12th edition of the tournament
• World Rugby Match Official and Coaching Courses from October 1 to 3.

How To Watch The Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2024

The two days of action will be streamed via the Asia Rugby Facebook and YouTube channels.

Asian Rugby Tournaments 2024 News

• Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2024.
• China Women Dominate Home Leg & HKCR Men Repeat Cup Success at Asia Rugby Sevens Emirates Sevens Series 2024
• UAE And Hong Kong China Men’s XV To Host November 2024 International Tests.
• Pools & Schedule Confirmed For WXV 2024.