Category: November

Remembrance Day 2020 – Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day

We wear a poppy
On Remembrance Day,
And at eleven
We stand and pray.
Wreaths are put
Upon a grave.
As we remember
Our soldiers brave.

The Poppy Appeal in Hong Kong

Poppies can be obtained at the following location:

Temporary Poppy Depot at Room 3505, The Landmark Edinburgh Tower, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong (Tel : 2713 3315).
Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm

Saturday 7th November 2020 – Poppy Day.
The streets of Hong Kong Island from 9am – 12:15pm.

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

 – Laurence Binyon (2014)

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

– John McCrae

Superwoman Rose on Juggling Babies, Rugby, Work, and Long Distance Learning

Rose Hopewell-Fong never lets anything slip through her fingers – whether it’s on the rugby field or in the classroom.

So when she picks up her University of Sunderland Alumni Achiever of the Year (Hong Kong) honour this month, she will be grasping it with both hands.

It will be yet another honour for Rose to add to her trophy cabinet, which already reflects her hard work, not to mention her multi-tasking skills.

Rose grew up in Hong Kong but later moved to England to study, also representing England U20s in Rugby Union.

After a difficult decision to return home to Hong Kong, she went on to represent Hong Kong 7s and 15s Rugby Union in a professional capacity.

While all this was going on, the now 29-year-old embarked on a long-distance learning PGCE programme at the University of Sunderland, to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.

Rose retired from professional 7s rugby in 2015, but has continued to represent Hong Kong in 15s most notably at the Rugby World Cup in Dublin during 2017.

Since then, in the last two years, she has started and completed her Masters in International Education with the University of Sunderland and become mum to Olivia Margaret, now 17 months old.

After giving birth she returned to the rugby pitch and represented Hong Kong 15s in three test matches as Vice-Captain before becoming pregnant again. She is due to welcome her second child in January 2020. All of this while working full time in an international school, most recently earning a promotion into the Pedagogical Leadership Team.

Throughout this impressive juggling act, Rose has been supported by husband Anthony Hopewell. The pair met at their rugby club and Anthony and Olivia Margaret are among the noisiest fans when the wife and mother plays for club or country.

Rose said: “I feel very honoured to receive the award and so grateful that Sunderland has such programmes for long-distance learners.

“There is no award for juggling multiple commitments in one’s personal life. An international sporting representative, a full time worker, a part time distance learner and becoming a mother – which will soon be twice – in just two years has been hectic yet so rewarding to say the least.

“Whilst we all strive to achieve goals in our careers post graduation, it is so nice to have an award that recognises the individual achievements in someone’s personal life as an amalgamation that can be celebrated wholly. Thank you University of Sunderland.”

Originally published by University of Sunderland 26 November, 2019
Images: HKrugby, AsiaRugby

Women’s Rugby Results – 7 December, 2019

Premiership

CWB Phoenix 29-19 Kowloon
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30

Gai Wu Falcons 26-19 HKFC Ice
@ KG V, Kick-off: 18:00

Tai Po Dragons 17-19 HK Scottish
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00

Valley Black 42-5 USRC Tigers
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:15

Images: Takumi Photography

Sarah Lee Wins Gold Infront of Home Fans

Hong Kong’s Sprint World Champion won her third consecutive sprint World Cup event at the HK Velodrome in front of her ecstatic home fans.

On Day 2 of the 2019-2020 UCI Track Cycling World Cup: Hong Kong, local star and current World Champion Sarah Lee Wai Sze was utterly dominant in the Women’s Sprint, storming to her third straight World Cup gold. 

Three Hong Kong riders competed in the Women’s Sprint, Sarah Lee clocked the fastest time of 10.590 seconds in the Qualifying 200m time trial and advanced to 1/8 finals with ease.

Jessica Lee Hoi Yan recorded a time of 11.002 seconds and advanced to the 1/16 Finals where she defeated Russian rider Natalia Antonova to progress, while Lee Yin Yin ranked last in the qualifying.

Sarah and Jessica went head-to-head in the last sixteen, with the reigning World Champion easily dispatching her teammate in straight races. Lee Wai Sze went unbeaten in the competition, defeating China’s Zhong Tianshi, Ukrainian Olena Starikova and Germany’s Emma Hinze in two straight races to win gold on home soil.

Lee’s win was her third straight UCI Track Cycling World Cup gold in 2019, having also won in Minsk and Glasgow, she’s now unbeaten in the sprint since last June.

Lee will compete in the Women’s Keirin on Day 3, hoping to double her gold tally on home soil.

Additional reporting and images: UCI

Hong Kong 18-0 The Netherlands @ Amsterdam – 30 November, 2019

Hong Kong won its first-ever European tour test series, sweeping the Netherlands with an 18-0 second test victory in Amsterdam. That followed last Tuesday’s 14-12 victory, which was the first for Hong Kong over any European opponent in a fifteen-a-side test.

Hong Kong had a fiery start, pressing the Netherlands from kick-off and dominating the first exchanges. With confidence high, fly half Lara Schats declined a makeable penalty to kick for the corner as the visitors backed themselves from the lineout.

Hong Kong’s set-piece functioned well all game with technique trumping the Dutch height advantage. The ball was claimed neatly at the back of the line out and the forwards unleashed six phases bashing the try-line before So found the gap to burrow over after five minutes. The conversion was missed but Hong Kong had again taken an early psychological edge.

They pressed their advantage again minutes later with prop Tammy Lau Nga-wun scoring after a series of short runs from the forwards. It was Lau’s second try of the series, Hong Kong 10-0.

The Netherlands responded physically and Hong Kong’s defence held firm against an athletic Dutch backline that threatened with several long-range attacks only to be foiled by a thundering last gasp tackle. Hong Kong were strong in the breakdown, generating regular turnover ball to launch their own attacks.

Despite plenty of opportunities at both ends of the pitch, tenacious defending from both sides saw the score remained 10-all until late in the fourth quarter. An injured Schats gave way to Aileen Ryan at ten and her fresh legs added energy to the attack. Ryan’s long run through the heart of the Netherland defence was ended close to the line. 

But there was plenty of forward support following up with No.8 Suzanne Sittko driving over for her first try for her country on her second cap, pushing the score to 15-0.

Ryan added a late penalty to push the margin to 18, as Hong Kong kept the Dutch scoreless to capture a memorable series win.

Lead coach Fan Shun-kei was delighted with the efforts of the squad, saying, “This second win was so important to us. We just beat them in the first test, so it was a good challenge for the squad, especially with them bringing in more of their experienced players for this game.

“Our concern coming in was our physicality and the size difference between us and the teams in Europe. They are bigger than us, and that is just a fact that we have to live with.” Fan continued “Our game plan really worked, slowing them down at the ruck and attacking them low. They are tall and big, and we knew they would struggle with us attacking them low.”

With the series in the bag, the true results will only be seen next spring in the Asian qualifier for the Rugby World Cup and Fan believes this tour has them off to a good start.

“The girls proved something to themselves on tour, that even though we give up size, we can still play big.

‘This experience is an important moment in our build-up to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, which is what we are focused on now. This win will give us a lot of confidence going into the qualifiers with Japan and Kazakhstan.”

Fan expects the squad to push on to the next level now, warning them that there is still much work to do before facing Asia’s best in March.

“We need the same physicality we had today, more even, but we need to be much more skilful. The Asian sides are much faster and we will need to play differently against them,” said Fan.

Hong Kong Tour Squad v The Netherlands

Dr Karen So Hoi-ting (Captain), Lau Nga-wun, Vincci Leung Wing-yi, Winnie Siu Wing-ni, Iris Lam Tim-yeung, Riva Brill, Chan Hiu-tung, Cheung Shuk-hang, Hana Lane*, Lee Ka-shun, Maelle Picut*, Suzanne Sittko*, Roshini Turner* Au King-to*, Chloe Chan*, Fung Hoi-ching*, Tsang Ching-man, Chow Mei-nam, Jessica Eden, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Sarah Lucas, Lara Schats*, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan*, Amy Pyle, Aileen Ryan, Zoe Smith, Hebe Talas*, Bena Yu Bo-yan.* Hong Kong Debut.

Additional reporting and images: HKRU, USRC Tigers

Historic Hong Kong Victory, 14-12 Against Netherlands

Hong Kong’s women’s 15s held their nerve to score a historic 14-12 win over the Netherlands on 26 November in Amsterdam to record their first-ever test victory over a European team.

Against the 13th ranked team in the world Hong Kong (ranked 21st) lead 7-0 at half time courtesy of a try from prop Tammy Lau Nga-wun, with fly-half Aileen Ryan adding the conversion. The visitors stretched their lead to 14-nil early in the second half with tighthead prop Lee Ka-shun scoring and debutant Lara Schats converting.

The Netherlands stormed back with two tries, the unconverted second with ten minutes remaining saw Hong Kong retain a two-point lead into the final stretch. Hong Kong soaked up intense Dutch pressure but held firm. A missed penalty attempt by the visitors as time expired wasn’t costly on a marvellous night for women’s rugby in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong coach, Jo Hull, hailed it as a pivotal win for a young team featuring ten debutants.

“It was a meaningful win for us, but we are keeping our feet on the ground. They had some new players, and I expect them to revert to their experience now. We are expecting to play a different Netherlands team on Saturday.

Hull continued “It was a great win; a real nail biter, but slightly frustrating at the same time. We lacked execution in the first half. We had possession but could not convert opportunities and made too many individual errors.”

“At half time we talked a lot about executing, and playing our game. Our set-piece and lineout were working well, so we could play more of a kicking game and we controlled the game well in the second half,” said Hull, who wants her team to demand even more of themselves on Saturday.

“Our only focus now is on finishing the job. How we improve from Tuesday to Saturday is the biggest test of the tour,” Hull added.

For Hull the difference in the first test came from Hong Kong’s ability to dictate the games’ tempo and timely contributions from the reserves.

“We had good impact off the bench; Maelle Picut who came on at No.8 and Jasmine Fung came on at centre and added significant impact and energy. We played with the momentum and tempo we wanted to, and did well at slowing them down.”

“Our focus is on our recovery and our execution. Being sure we are physically and mentally ready to play and getting our best combinations out on the pitch.

“One of the most pleasing things we saw in the first game was the things we have been working on in training being executed on the pitch. That is a huge confidence boost for the girls,” Hull added.

Hull expects what was already a significant physical challenge to intensify. “They are much bigger than us, so I was pleased with how we played at the breakdown and in contact, particularly after we were disappointed with our performance in those areas in our training camp with Scotland.

“We held our own on tonight, but I anticipate a more physical game ahead. We used our speed and tempo game well against them and will need to do it again.”

Hull also noted the positive performance of some of the newer players like Roshini Turner, who made her Hong Kong debut in the second row with veteran Tsang Ching-man, and another emerging star in Amy Pyle who did not shy from the contact game.

“Roshini played really well in the lineouts, both of the rows did, they paired well and it was a good debut for her. Amy also had a very strong game, and was really physical in defence.”

A couple of young heads also showed excellent composure for Hull in fly half Ryan and centre Lara Schats.

“They performed well. Despite being young, they are reliable kicking options for us and helped control the game. It was a real challenge for them to step up into what is a big job and in big positions. We were pleased with all of the new players.

“They now understand what is required at international level. It was an eye opener for them and the focus will be on how well we adjust from tonight to Saturday.”

Hull will be keen to close out the sweep but objectives have largely been met as the team grows in confidence.

“Our goal is to play more outside of Asia. We are now seeing the results. This win was a huge marker for us, to beat a team from outside our comfort zone, particularly a team as challenging as the Netherlands with their physical size and athleticism.

“It is an experience that will impact our Rugby World Cup journey and the players are absorbing every bit of it to help them down the line,” said Hull.

Hong Kong Tour Squad v The Netherlands

Dr Karen So Hoi-ting (Captain), Lau Nga-wun, Vincci Leung Wing-yi, Winnie Siu Wing-ni, Iris Lam Tim-yeung, Riva Brill, Chan Hiu-tung, Cheung Shuk-hang, Hana Lane*, Lee Ka-shun, Maelle Picut*, Suzanne Sittko*, Roshini Turner* Au King-to*, Chloe Chan*, Fung Hoi-ching*, Tsang Ching-man, Chow Mei-nam, Jessica Eden, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Sarah Lucas, Lara Schats*, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan*, Amy Pyle, Aileen Ryan, Zoe Smith, Hebe Talas*, Bena Yu Bo-yan.* Hong Kong Debut.

Additional reporting and images: HKRU

‘Mask Law’ Found Unconstitutional by High Court

The ‘Mask law’ introduced by Carrie Lam under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, Cap 241 was found to be unconstitutional by the High Court in a Judgement issued today, 18 November, 2019.

There were two separate court actions against the ‘Mask Law’ and they were heard together. Here is the press summary, the full judgement can be found here HCAL2945/2019 and HCAL2949/2019

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE
HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW LIST

NO 2949 of 2019

IN THE MATTER of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, Cap 241
and
IN THE MATTER of the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation, Cap 241K

Between
LEUNG KWOK HUNG (梁國雄)
and
SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE – 1st Putative Respondent
CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN COUNCIL – 2nd Putative Respondent

DATES OF HEARING:  31 October and 1 November 2019

DATE OF JUDGMENT:  18 November 2019

REPRESENTATION:

Gladys Li SC, Mr Johannes Chan SC (Hon), Mr Earl Deng, Mr Jeffrey Tam, Mr Geoffrey Yeung and Ms Allison Wong, instructed by Ho Tse Wai & Partners, for the 1st to 24th Applicants in HCAL 2945/2019

Mr Hectar Pun SC, Mr Lee Siu Him and Mr Anson Wong Yu Yat, instructed by JCC Cheung & Co, assigned by the Director of Legal Aid Department, for the Applicant in HCAL 2949/2019

Mr Benjamin Yu SC, Mr Jenkin Suen SC, Mr Jimmy Ma and Mr Mike Lui, instructed by the Department of Justice, for the Putative Respondents in both HCAL 2945/2019 and HCAL 2949/2019

SUMMARY:

1.  These are two applications for judicial review seeking to impugn the Emergency Regulations Ordinance (Cap 241) (“ERO”) and the Prohibition of Face Covering Regulation (Cap 241K)(“PFCR”) made thereunder as being invalid and unconstitutional.

2.  By Ground 1, the applicants contend that the ERO is unconstitutional because it amounts to an impermissible grant or delegation of general legislative power by the legislature to the Chief Executive in Council (“CEIC”) and contravenes the constitutional framework under the Basic Law.  The court holds that the ERO, insofar as it empowers the CEIC to make regulations on any occasion of public danger, is incompatible with the Basic Law, having regard in particular to Arts 2, 8, 17(2), 18, 48, 56, 62(5), 66 and 73(1) thereof.  The court leaves open the question of the constitutionality of the ERO insofar as it relates to any occasion of emergency.

3.  As to Ground 2, the court holds that the ERO was not impliedly repealed by s 5 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap 383) (“HKBORO”).  Insofar as it is invoked in situations not falling within the kind of public emergency referred to in the HKBORO, the Bill of Rights is not suspended and the measures adopted will have to comply with it.

4.  On Ground 3, the court holds that the ERO does not in itself fall foul of the “prescribed by law” requirement (ie the principle of legal certainty).  Where regulations and measures are adopted under the ERO that curtail fundamental rights, the entire relevant body of law including the regulations and measures have to be taken together to see whether they meet the requirement of sufficient accessibility and certainty.

5.  Under Ground 4, the applicants contend that the general words in s 2(1) of the ERO are not to be construed as allowing the Government to adopt measures that infringe fundamental rights of the individual and that the PFCR is therefore beyond the power conferred on the CEIC by the ERO.  The court finds that it is not necessary to deal with this Ground and does not express any view on it.

6.  Under Ground 5A, the applicants contend that s 3 of the PFCR fails to satisfy the proportionality test (as explained in Hysan Development Co Ltd v Town Planning Board (2016) 19 HKCFAR 372, §§134‑135).  The court holds that the provisions in s 3(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the PFCR are rationally connected to legitimate societal aims that the respondents intend by those measures to pursue but the restrictions that sub‑paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) impose on fundamental rights go further than is reasonably necessary for the furtherance of those objects and therefore fail to meet the proportionality test.

7.  Under Ground 5B, the applicants contend that s 5 of the PFCR fails to satisfy the proportionality test.  The court holds that the measure introduced by s 5 of the PFCR is rationally connected to the legitimate societal aims pursued but the restrictions it imposes on fundamental rights also go further than is reasonably necessary for the furtherance of those objects and therefore fail to meet the proportionality test.

8.  In the light of these conclusions, there will be a further hearing for the parties to make submissions on the appropriate relief and costs.

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 16 November, 2019 -Cancelled

All  fixtures for the 16 November 2019 have been cancelled and will be reschuled for a later date.