Hong Kong representatives Salom Yiu Kam-sing and Martini Ip Ka-ling raised the profile of rugby at G. T. College Chi Kit Branch primary school in Mongkok, where they introduced students to basics of the fast-growing sport and inspired awareness of leading local players.

The Hong Kong players talked from personal experience about why they’ve pursued rugby, mentioning the sport’s strong emphasis on values such as sportsmanship, courage and integrity. The visit was part of a community initiative organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) and HSBC, principal partner of the Hong Kong rugby teams.

Ip, a key member of Hong Kong’s women’s rugby team, is a strong believer in the importance of increasing connections with the local community as they seek to grow the sport’s local fanbase.

“I had so much fun working with these kids today and I still remember when I was introduced to rugby when I was about 15 years old,” Ip said. “Hopefully Salom and I have inspired some youngsters to pick up the sport and will enjoy rugby as much as we do.”

Both players sported the new team jersey that Hong Kong wore during their victory at last weekend’s India Sevens, which marked the SAR’s first victory on the HSBC Asian Sevens Series.

The jersey features the Traditional Chinese characters of sponsor HSBC, marking the first time Chinese characters have appeared on the jersey, as the bank seeks to broaden the awareness of the sport to the local community.

The schoolchildren offered their support to the team by writing Wayfoong (??) on paper cut outs of the jersey, demonstrating their Chinese Calligraphy skills to the delight of the players.

Yiu, who returned to Hong Kong on Monday, said the shirt enjoyed good recognition at G. T. College and was delighted to see the Chinese students warm to both the players and the jersey.

“It’s exciting to wear the new shirt and it’s great that it features Chinese characters as it makes us feel so proud to represent Hong Kong and the seven million people who live here,” Yiu said.

“We take great pride in representing Hong Kong and we hope the local community can join us, put on the jersey, and feel proud to be a part of Hong Kong.”

HSBC, co-title sponsor of the annual Hong Kong Sevens, was announced as the principal partner of the Hong Kong rugby teams at a press conference on the Star Ferry in late August.