The 2014-15 domestic rugby season kicked-off last weekend, with a record number of 81 men’s and women’s teams, a leap of 7 teams from the previous year and continuing the steady annual increase in participation over the past decade.
A significant factor in this success story is the growing popularity of women’s rugby, and this is reflected in this year’s revamped league structure which sees 22 teams split into a Premiership of 6 sides, a National League 1 of 8 sides, and a National 10s League of 8 sides.
This closely mirrors the men’s league framework, and gives an easier pathway for both newcomers to the game and also those transitioning from girls youth rugby through to the senior ranks, and all the way up to our full time Sevens squad athletes at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
“This has been an exciting period for women’s rugby,” explains the Union’s Women’s Rugby Officer Cookie Tse, “and we are confident that the new league together with a revised set of competition rules will provide the basis for a very competitive and enjoyable season at all levels. In the past few months we’ve had some great results with a women’s section in the New Territories District 7s Tournament for the first time, a win in the first leg of the Asian Sevens Series, and a strong 4th place in the Asian Games, so we’re in a really good place as we commence the new season.”
The women’s leagues will run through to Christmas and then resume in the new year and climax with a combined Grand Championship Finals Day at King’s Park on Saturday 7th March; Gai Wu Ladies (pictured above) are the defending champions of both the 15s and 10s titles, and will be determined to get their name on the very first Women’s Premiership Trophy!
Keep up todate with fixtures, results and match reports here on bcmagazine.net