Christy Cheng – The Development Of Rugby Has Come So Far In Hong Kong

Former Hong Kong international 7s and 15s captain, Christy Cheng, was brimming with pride about the HKCR women playing a packed Hong Kong Stadium this past weekend for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024.

Christy represented Hong Kong at the 2017 Rugby World Cup and played Sevens for her country. Since she stopped playing internationally, she has put her passion for the sport into a “tireless effort to introduce rugby to young members of the community,” said HKCR of one of their ambassadors over the weekend.

When asked what it was like to see the women’s national team turn out to be such a rapturous atmosphere for the Melrose Claymores, in which the team finished second overall, Cheng said; “It was very memorable. I remember my first time running out for my country, and the crowd this weekend has just been amazing. They’re really behind the girls and I believe they’re the 1% extra that was needed to help them girls get the win against China in the opening match on Friday.”

The 100,000 + crowd was electric throughout all three days of the final Sevens to be played at the Hong Kong Stadium, but especially so when the home team’s women and men were playing in the Melrose Claymores.

One of the many memorable moments was the HKCR women’s captain Natasha Olson-Thorne earning her 50th cap and scoring a try in the win over China in the opening round.

Cheng remembers the moment excitedly. “My heart was racing at the end. I was actually by the pitch side watching her make the break on the left wing and I was screaming my heart out! I was standing next to some of the VIPs, CEOs and chairmen who were just staring at me.”

Photo Credit: HKCR – Natasha Olson-Thorne – Hong Kong China Rugby Women 7s Captain

She added, “I was so proud of the girls, I saw them run out of the tunnel with huge smiles on their faces. The positivity from the team definitely carried him through and I’m so grateful to see them get that result which was wonderful and something I know they have been working on for a long time.”

On what it means to see how far the women’s game has come – especially in Hong Kong, Christy Cheng explained;

“It is so positive it’s because the women’s game is growing, and not just in Hong Kong but globally. I am happy to see Hong Kong China really, really, really pushing it. I think I see more girls than ever in Hong Kong playing rugby.”

She added, “In the team right now we have girls who probably started when they were under U16-U19 and are now in the senior women’s team – here this weekend some are maybe 19 years old, 20 years old? They put in the hard work and it was a chance for them to perform in front of a massive crowd. I’m so proud of them.”

Growing The Game – Christy Cheng

Christy Cheng with Maggie Alphonsi and DJ Forbes – all were HKCR ambassadors at the 2024 HK Sevens

We asked Christy Cheng what she was doing in Hong Kong in terms of encouraging younger players to get involved in this game, and what it means to see the home players run out in front of a full stadium.

“I work on the S&C side with the youth U18 and U16 sides – the academy boys and girls. I see them a lot, even though I don’t think they know who I am, which is completely fine.

This opportunity in the Hong Kong stadium shows them where they can be. And to be honest, our sport is not massive in Hong Kong, even now, we’re still growing, and we’re still trying very hard.

But this shows the kids the opportunity of where they can be, it shows them it can be done. And it’s something that they can see and they can do – hopefully, they’ll be inspired by those players out there,” said Cheng.

The Inclusivity of Rugby – HKCR

Photo Credit: HKCR Rugby For Good

Not only are the players providing inspiration for young potential players, but the Hong Kong China Rugby Union has expanded its development work to be very inclusive. We had already heard in the week from its CEO Robbie McRobbie and from the Sport For Good as well as HSBC ambassadors about some of the success stories.

Cheng said, “My husband actually used to work for HKCR, he was working with what is now called the Rugby For Good foundation and has worked with the deaf team – it is amazing Hong Kong has a deaf rugby team. I saw an article the other day talking about people who can’t see being involved in rugby and wheelchair rugby etc.

Working with partners like the Hong Kong Jockey Club, we have very inclusive rugby programs and also for ethnic minorities. We do sessions to bridge the gap or just bridging generally between Hong Kong and China – like mainland students – which is really, really good to see.

I can see HKCR in all sorts of ways include more people and push for rugby to be promoted to the community,” concluded Cheng.

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Asian Rugby News

• Sir Gordon Tjietiens On Taking Chinese Women’s Sevens Rugby To The Next Level.
• Sports Matters North Asia 2024 – Key Rugby Takeaways (Part 1).
• Max Woodward – What Makes Playing In Hong Kong So Special.
• Natasha Olson-Thorne On HKCR Women’s Sevens Goals And Reaching 50 Caps.