Hong Kong International Touch Championship 2024

rugbyasia247 Posted On March 16, 2024

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The Hong Kong International Touch Championship 2024 returns to Hong Kong on 31st March 2024, and will be run by the rebranded Hong Kong China Touch. We found out more about touch rugby in Hong Kong and what the plans are for the touch tournament which takes place in the leadup to the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024.

Updated 18th March 2024 – see all the teams and pools at the end of the article.

Hong Kong China Touch – State Of The Game

We asked Hong Kong China Touch (HKCT) why the organisation rebranded in late 2023, and they told us, “Hong Kong China Touch is an affiliated association under Hong Kong China Rugby. Tthe rebranding is to ensure we have alignment with Hong Kong China Rugby, hence the approach for both Chinese and England names being consistent with HKCR’s approach.”

What kind of support does HKCT currently receive and what more could be done to grow the sport and participation in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong China Touch: The main support comes from HKCR of course, as an affiliated association to an official NSA in Hong Kong, we are also able to receive support from the Leisure Culture Services Department (LCSD). In addition, Touch Rugby is currently played in Local Primary Schools in Hong Kong, and these programmes are supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. This support covers manpower, promotion in schools, funding for leagues and facilities, etc.

Now we have over 80 Primary/Secondary schools actively playing touch rugby, and over 2,000 adult touch players taking part in the Summer and Winter Touch Leagues post-COVID.

Photo Credit: Hong Kong China Touch (HKCT)

Some former HKCR national team contact players have transitioned to playing touch – do you think this is a good opportunity for players, and vice versa for players to improve their skillset in touch rugby?

Hong Kong China Touch: The bread and butter of rugby is catch and pass, as well as spatial awareness and linking up with other team members, so touch rugby is a great option to transition from and transition to the contact form of the game, depending on the goals and objectives.

This is very evident with local primary school students – we witnessed some amazing displays of basic rugby skills during the tournaments in 2022 and 2023. As for the former representative players, it seems to be a seamless transition for them, certainly a good option when considering an extension beyond the contact “career”.

What are your thoughts on the standard of the game in Asia and should there be more tours and regional national events – especially with the Touch World Cup in 2024?

Hong Kong China Touch: Japan and Singapore are two of the strongest nations in Asia, followed by Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, and Thailand.

With COVID now behind us and touring back on the cards, regular annual tours like our recent tour to Singapore will only be beneficial for the development of the game.

Touch participation around the world is operated under the “pay to play” format, and more regional and global events will only be a positive for the development and growth of the game.

International Touch Championship 2024

Hong Kong International Touch Championship 2024

Has the timing of the Hong Kong International Touch Championship 2024 been deliberately planned to be part of the popular HK Sevens Week? Are there any concerns it can get lost in the crowded schedule of events?

Hong Kong China Touch: We are excited to have the return of the International Touch Championship scheduled during the week leading into the sevens. We hope, like many events such as the KowloonFest Tens and HKFC 10s, and the All Girls Tournament, which are events regularly scheduled as we head into the main event, would attract more international teams to come to Hong Kong.

Not only this will help boost the standard of the competition for our events, but it will also provide another reason for the global rugby-playing communities to attend the HK7s, WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO PLAY.

How many Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams does the tournament cater for?

Hong Kong China Touch: At this stage, we are looking at a maximum of 8 teams for each category, with three teams in each from Hong Kong.

You are encouraging international teams to attend – what is the level expected to be like – is it more social or is it representative teams you are appealing to?

Hong Kong China Touch: While it is positioned as an open-level event, we hope we will be able to attract some of the strong teams from around the world.

For those who have not been to Hong Kong before, why would you encourage them to enter and what can they expect at the tournament?

Hong Kong China Touch: Well, we hope the ITC schedule will become an ongoing annual attraction for clubs around the world to cement on their annual calendar. We hope this tournament, like how the 10s tournaments lead into the annual Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, will become one of the features for the rugby community to look forward to as part of the 7s week.

Teams should expect a competitive tournament by both the local and international teams, as well as the rugby festival atmosphere Hong Kong, will put on during our annual party!