DJ Forbes – This Sport I love Is Really Special

We spent some time with New Zealand and Hong Kong 7s Legend DJ Forbes to talk about the new home of the Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium, as well as his first and recent trip to Laos as a new ChildFund Ambassador and guest of the Lao Rugby Federation (LRF) and the development work he has witnessed first-hand. 

New Hong Kong Sevens Home – Same Vibes and Better For The Athletes

On his views of the new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, where DJ was an official ambassador for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025, he said:

“It is outstanding to be fair. And I think if any kind of stop on the World Sevens Series deserved a bit of an upgrade, I think Hong Kong definitely did. A lot of players, when they talk about Hong Kong, they rightfully call it the mecca of the World SVNS Series Circuit – so now having a purpose-built stadium is pretty special. I know there’ll be the punters that will be having their own say and that it’s different, or it’s not this, or it’s not that, but I think as far as an athlete is concerned, both the male and the female athletes who were running out there, I’m pretty sure they’ll be pretty happy with what they’ve got now.”

Photo Credit- HKCR – Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Ambassadors (DJ Forbes on the left)

Rugby Asia 247 saw the captains’ reaction to the stadium and the wonderful turf mid-week before the Sevens got underway, there were some experienced campaigners and new faces there and they all loved it. For the fans, like any new venue, you have to give it some time for them to come around to it but it has been a successful weekend.

“I think that’s it, you know. There are new locations and new venues that might pop up now and then, but a new stadium like this does create a little bit more opportunity for some of these boys and girls to be part of history. Unfortunately, our men’s team (New Zealand), were not quite up to it this year, but our women took their opportunity to be in another final and won it.”

This is only the third time the women have played at the most famous Sevens tournament in the world – with the Black Ferns 7s winning all three. We asked DJ if he ever imagined a purpose-built sevens rugby stadium?

“Definitely not. I’ve been talking about that quite often and I remember sharing changing rooms with five or six countries trying to get into their right frame of mind. But you’re looking at other countries doing their business and doing what they need to do.

I think for a majority of these athletes it’s pretty awesome – the stadium and this is a special occasion, to get both men and women playing here. Fortunately enough, the women did get to taste a little bit of the aura at the old Hong Kong stadium but this is another part of creating a little piece of new history on the World Series Circuit.”

Photo Credit- HKCR – DJ Forbes at Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025

DJ Forbes – The Rugby Ambassador

DJ Forbes has been an annual guest back in Hong Kong for the Sevens week and signed on in January 2025 as a ChildFund Rugby ambassador – we asked if he enjoys his ambassadorial role and engaging with the fans and players alike.

“I retired at the back end of 2017 and Hong Kong China Rugby have always been extremely good to me and invited me back. So it is definitely a stop that I’m not going to say no to. 

I also recently jumped on board with ChildFund Rugby as an ambassador and spent four days in Laos helping some of the initiatives that they do around the Pass It Back programme and facilitating coaches and things like that. What a privilege it is to be involved in any capacity. I have a normal nine-to-five life, so getting these little stints where I could come and still be pretty close to the action and be involved with, the sport I love is really special,” said DJ Forbes.

Photo Credit – Lao Rugby Federation 2025

Of his trip to Laos, we asked what his key reflections were on what he had seen and experienced – he was the special guest of the 2025 Lao League 7s Finals for the President’s Cup and was involved in some Champa Ban development activities with the LRF.

“They are making the most out of what they got. Rugby is one thing but there’s the whole element of life skills that these kids can learn. So they’re really trying to give one-on-one lessons as much as they can and teach and offer and learn through rugby. I really appreciate that kind of concept to it all,” said DJ Forbes”

He added, “I have been around the globe enough to know that there is a need in those developing countries in particular. So for me, it was about bringing a bit of perspective, knowing that I was obviously coming to Hong Kong afterwards and to take that opportunity to kind of tag it on the back of this trip and see both ends of the spectrum.

It was an opportunity for me to give back, and hopefully, I’ll get a few more opportunities throughout the year in the different spaces that I’m potentially going over these next six or 12 months that are a timely moment in my career and my journey. But I am looking at opportunities to be involved and get back in that rugby space.”

Photo Credit – Lao Rugby Federation 2025

The Growth and Spotlight On Women’s Rugby

One aspect we have been covering and we know ChildFund Rugby and Laos Rugby Federation have been developing – is the increased female participation in rugby. In a Women’s Rugby World Cup year where the women’s game is going to be in the spotlight, we asked DJ if he had seen things change in the progression of the women’s game and in terms of support.

“Some of our (NZ) girls that are playing right now are doing everything that’s required in regards to being the sorts of trailblazers and global ambassadors the game needs. You have little girls watching some of these athletes on the big screen, it’s kind of cliche, but ‘to believe it, you got to see it.’

So you have these women that are on the same playing field as the men, doing these amazing things that they’re doing. I’m sure there are a lot of little girls in Laos and around the globe who are telling their mum and dad, ‘I want to be that person’, ‘I want to be them’. 

So what Lao Rugby Federation and ChildFund Rugby are doing in a lot of other countries, is a real genuine opportunity – especially with Sevens Rugby – it showcases all shapes and sizes and it does open the door for a lot more opportunities for some of these nations, where they can put a few more eggs in one basket and try to focus on an Olympic sport which is Rugby Sevens.”

Rugby Asia 247 will be in Singapore for the SVNS this week and ChildFund Rugby is also celebrating its 10th anniversary with some special announcements planned over the weekend – so keep tuned for more!

Sevens Rugby & Development News

• Singapore SVNS 2025 Pools.
• HSBC Global Ambassadors Abby Gustaitis and Alicia Lucas Explain Why Kai Tak Stadium and Rugby Sevens Are So Special.
• ChildFund Rugby Extends Principal Social Impact Partnership With World Rugby.
• World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby Set For Next Phase of the Grassroots to Global Forums.