Laureus Sport Legends Tackle Youth Mental Health As Part of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Week

Laureus Sport for Good sporting legends from the Laureus World Sports Academy visited Model City Hong Kong – a Laureus initiative mobilising a diverse group of local sport-for-development organisations together to transform the mental health of young people in the city in the lead-up to the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Before the event, the special sporting guests heard more about the Hong Kong Rugby for Good programme at the Value of Sport Lunch. The programme’s HK-based educators and programme managers told the Laureaus legends and attendees about how the project works with children with disabilities, tackling mental health issues, as well as implementing a programme with clearly defined goals and objectives.

Sir Chris Hoy, Daley Thompson, DJ Forbes and Jodie Ounsley also all spoke about their own determination and stories of overcoming challenges to achieve remarkable sporting success. 

2023 also sees Laureus Sport for Good celebrate five years as the official charity partner of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and Hong Kong Sevens and sister event the HKFC 10s give a global platform for Laureus Sport for Good.

Photo Credit: HKRU

Model City Hong Kong Initiative

Supported by Laureus Sport for Good, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the Hong Kong Rugby Union, Model City Hong Kong is an ambitious programme that underlines the lasting value of the partnership between Laureus and this unique event on the global sporting calendar.

Since 2020, Laureus has supported Model City Hong Kong. The sporting legends Chris Hoy, Daley Thompson, Li Xiaopeng and Wong Kam-po met with young people from several of the programmes that are mobilised by Model City Hong Kong, across a range of sports which change the lives of young people.

Laureus Ambassador Wong Kam-po is a track and road cyclist who represented Hong Kong at five Olympic Games and joined the Olympians to discover more about the mental health crisis among children and young people in Hong Kong.

The multi-Olympic champion Hoy said: ‘This partnership has made a real and lasting difference to the mental health of young people – Laureus Sport for Good is incredibly proud of its long-running partnership with the Hong Kong Rugby Union and the Hong Kong Sevens, which has allowed us to support projects that are changing the lives of young people in the region.

We got to see that work close-up at Model City Hong Kong and in a week that is all about the colour and excitement of this event, it was a reminder that this work never stops. Supporting young people with their mental health is incredibly beneficial in the long-term – it not only improves their lives immediately, but it gives them tools they can use for the rest of their lives. And sport should be a big part of that.”

Photo Credit: HKRU – Laureus World Sports Academy visited Model City Hong Kong – Chris Hoy (left) & Daley Thompson (right)

Laureus Academy Member Daley Thompson, added: “Hong Kong is not alone in facing a huge challenge around youth mental health. We know sport has the power to change lives and it was fantastic to see so many different projects that are making a difference thanks to the partnership between Laureus Sport for Good and the Hong Kong Rugby Union.

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is one of my favourite events on the sporting calendar and it’s the perfect place to talk about the way sport can make a difference to mental health. It’s hard to find anyone in the Hong Kong Stadium this weekend who doesn’t leave with a big smile on their face.”

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, Robbie McRobbie, further added: “Every year at this time we welcome the world of rugby to Hong Kong for a celebration not just of our sport, but of our community. The young people of the city and of the region represent the future of that community and the youth mental health crisis that is happening here and across the world affects us all.

We believe in Sport for Good and we know that our partnership with Laureus has made, and will continue to make, a real difference in the lives of these young people.”

Sport Development & HK Rugby News

• 2023 World Deaf Rugby 7s World Cup Pools.
• Full Guide To All 2023 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Events.
• World Rugby – Shape of the Game Conference 2023 Outcomes.
• Refereeing Rugby At The Highest Level.