The SAR's men's and women's rugby sevens teams are preparing to leverage the energy of the home crowd as they compete in the National Games next week at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. The event will run for three days, starting Wednesday, with two medals available for contention.
Hong Kong, known as an important stop on the international rugby sevens circuit, will once again host teams from across the country, offering local fans a rare chance to see their squads compete on home ground.
Men’s team co-captain James Christie said their main objective is to secure gold in front of their supporters and families.
“We haven't played in the National Games in about 12 years, so this is extremely exciting, especially being in Hong Kong. Playing before our friends and family gives us great motivation. We don’t get many tournaments each year, so every chance to play is special.”
Christie emphasized that the passionate crowd acts as the team’s "13th member," providing drive and encouragement throughout each match. He added that mutual trust and coordination among players would be essential for success on the field.
Both squads hope to turn their home advantage into podium finishes, with athletes eager to perform strongly in front of their community and make Hong Kong proud.
Author summary: The SAR’s rugby teams are determined to capitalize on home support at the National Games, uniting passion and teamwork to chase gold at Kai Tak Stadium.