Hong Kong China Rugby Confirm Appointments of 3 Match Officials For 2024-2025 HSBC SVNS & Challenger Series

Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) have confirmed that they will have three match officials selected for World Rugby Sevens events in the upcoming season – Sunny Lee on the Women’s HSBC SVNS Series, and Craig Chan and Morgan White will both referee on the Men’s Challenger Series in 2025.

The schedules for the 2025 Challenger Series still need to be confirmed by World Rugby, while only half of the events for the SVNS Series 2024-2025 season have been announced to date.

Hong Kong China Rugby Head of Refereeing, Matt Rodden, said of the appointments, “We are very fortunate to have three of our top sevens referees performing at a high level for World Rugby. It shows that the opportunities are real for referees from Hong Kong and that our development pathways are strong and produce quality officials. It is also a testament to the hard work of the individuals involved in reaching that level.”

2024-2025 HSBC SVNS & Challenger Series – Match Officials

• Sunny Lee will make the move to the main SVNS Series after refereeing on the Women’s Challenger Series last season where she took charge of the semi-finals and a final. She becomes the 4th Hong Kong China referee to be appointed by World Rugby to a series in the modern era and the first female since Gabriel Lee in 2016.
• Craig Chan will move to the men’s sevens after being involved in the women’s game on the HSBC SVNS Series and at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
• Morgan White will continue on the Challenger Series for a third consecutive season.

Lee said, “Initially I felt a little bit anxious, I know it I have a big responsibility on my shoulders to build the reputation of Hong Kong China referees. But I also felt very excited, I really can’t wait to be on the same pitch as some of the world’s best rugby players.

I understand that the speed of the games on the SVNS Series is a completely different level. I have been focusing on fitness training and gym to get into the best physical condition. I am also looking back to my own refereeing clips, reviewing what I maybe didn’t do as well and finding ways to improve.”

Sunny Lee will also referee the 15s game and recently returned from World Rugby’s WXV3 competition in Dubai. Craig and Morgan are expected to be appointed to 15s matches throughout the season.

You can read more in our in-depth interview with Sunny Lee earlier in 2024.

Sevens Rugby News 2024

• Fans Guide To HSBC SVNS Series 2024-2025.
• Bryan Habana – The HSBC SVNS Series Is Incredibly Diverse & We Should Celebrate That.
• Kai Tak Stadium Confirmed As Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Venue.
• 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens – What You Need To Know.