「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽2024」為亞洲勁旅新設的「Melrose銀劍賽」 中國香港隊大軍名單出爐
Team Hong Kong China announced for Melrose Claymores competition at Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024
[香港，2024年3月26日]：距離「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽2024」不足兩星期，中國香港欖球總會今日（26號）公佈中國香港男、女子七人欖球隊大軍名單，他們將於4月5日至7日於香港大球場亮相首屆為亞洲列強而設的「Melrose銀劍賽」（Melrose Claymore），爭取冠軍殊榮。
未來三個月，中國香港男、女子隊除了準備迎戰新增設的亞洲三角賽 -「Melrose銀劍賽」外，還為爭取成為「滙豐SVNS世界七人欖球系列賽」的核心球隊而緊密操練。緊接「Melrose銀劍賽」後，中國香港男、女子隊將於五月迎來「世界七人欖球挑戰者系列賽」第三站及總決賽（在第三站的比賽，男子組賽事將於德國慕尼黑、女子組在波蘭克拉科夫舉行）。
中國香港男子隊於本月初的「世界七人欖球挑戰者系列賽」的次站表現神勇，他們連挫幾支勁旅，強勢躋身決賽，最終僅負東道主烏拉圭，奪亞而回的港隊隨即在「挑戰者系列賽」的積分榜由第七位升至第五位，距離躋身五月總決賽只差一位，中國香港女子隊暫排名第八位；根據賽制，只有排名頭四位的球隊可晉級至五月馬德里舉行的「滙豐世界七人欖球系列賽」中同場加映的升、降級附加賽。
緊接的六月，中國香港男、女子隊將參加2024巴黎奧運最後一場國際資格賽，跟世界各地列強爭奪最後一張七人欖球奧運入場券，由於只有冠軍才獲得奧運資格，每一場都不容有失。
接下來的兩、三個月，頻密的賽程無疑為港隊提供無窮的機遇，但同時亦要謹慎地分配各球員的輪換。有見及此，中國香港女子隊教練魏翊軍（Andy Vilk）精心組建了一支由16人組成的強大陣容。
這支女子隊擁有幾位經驗豐富的球員，包括隊長高香慧（Natasha Olson-Thorne）、藍嘉敏及莊嘉欣，以及年青新秀如巴達莎米奇拉（Micayla Baltazar）和巴達莎皓兒（Chloe Baltazar）等，還有其他幾位有機會首次出征的球員，她們都被挑選入這16人大軍中，以便教練作最後決定。
中國香港男子隊方面，教練高勳（Jevon Groves）確選了12人參加「Melrose銀劍賽」，包括長期擔任隊長職位的禾獲特（Max Woodward），他缺陣了頭兩站的「挑戰者系列賽」，休息了一段時間後重新歸隊，這將是禾獲特第七次參加香港國際七人欖球賽，也是他第六次擔任隊長。
男子隊的12人大軍中，有不少經驗豐富的球員，包括華將姚錦成，這將是他第13次在香港大球場亮相，還有李卡度、高凡迪爾（Michael Coverdale）及虎拿當尼（Alessandro Nardoni）。而占士梳亞（James Sawyer）和房傑鋒將首次亮相香港大球場。
由於五月慕尼黑的「挑戰者系列賽」關係重大，不容有失，高勳教練收起兩位正在養傷的主力拜恩（Seb Brien）及丹馬克（Max Denmark）。「達陣」的重任將放在姚錦成及房傑鋒身上，屆時，他們將在一連三日、在4萬名觀眾入座下的大球場盡情發揮，可望承接拜恩及丹馬克於去年香港國際七人欖球賽中達陣得分的次數。
高勳教練說：「我們正身處一個很關鍵的時刻，香港站的陣容作出一些變動，讓部份球員得到落場的機會，並要好好處理在月初烏拉圭『挑戰者系列賽』中受傷的球員。現有這支『Melrose銀劍賽』的參賽港將都具有豐富的大賽經驗，我們十分期待這支港隊在香港大球場的表現。」
「經過烏拉圭一戰後，我們男子隊確實有機會躋身五月的『挑戰者系列賽』總決賽，所以今次選陣是作多方面的考慮後才決定。」
「去年香港國際七人欖球賽，我們最美好的回憶是奪得銀盾後在場內跟球迷互動，這就是我們今年比賽的動力。我亦希望藉著球員優異的成績，吸引更多人參與欖球運動，這是我們其中一個希望做到的目標。」高勳教練出任港隊教練之前，曾於2009-2011年期間效力威爾斯隊。
「我以前也參加過幾屆香港國際七人欖球賽，雖然不是每次都能令威爾斯隊贏比賽，甚至輸過給港隊，但香港站是我參加過和執教過的最好的比賽之一，這站一直是球員們最想參加的賽站；今年正值香港大球場在翻新後第30年主辦香港國際七人欖球賽，能參與其中尤為特別。」
中國香港女子隊隊長高香慧也有同感，她表示：「在我們主場觀眾面前跟世上勁旅比賽，大球場上的一點一滴都是我會珍惜的時刻，能夠在朋友及家人面對在香港大球場比賽，我會銘記於心。」
「除了在比賽中爭取成績外，為女子運動員樹立榜樣也很重要，這樣女孩們才知道她們也可以立志將欖球運動成為職業、可以在世界舞台上比賽，這些選擇的門永遠為她們打開。我希望見到年輕女孩子看著我說：『是的，我渴望成為香港打女子欖球』。」高香慧早於2007年已獲得香港國際七人欖球賽隊長席位。
中國香港欖球總會主席蒲敬思（Chris Brooke）先生表示：「我謹代表中國香港欖球總會祝賀每位入選的運動員，並祝願他們在球場內代表中國香港隊取得佳績。無論輸贏，我們都知道這班運動員在場裡場外都能積極代表中國香港及我們欖球界。」
滙豐香港區行政總裁林慧虹女士說：「作爲中國香港欖球代表隊、『國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽』，以及滙豐世界SVNS七欖系列賽的長期支持者，滙豐感到十分自豪。香港國際七人欖球賽體現國際友誼和卓越運動才華。我們很高興今天能在這裡表達對中國香港欖球隊的支持。他們肩負著成千上萬的本地年輕球員和球迷的希望進入香港大球場。我們相信，他們將為自己及香港爭光。」
「除了支持精英欖球隊伍和比賽，滙豐還積極推廣社區欖球項目。超過 67,000 名來自本地學校的學生透過「滙豐欖球體驗」計劃（HSBC Try Rugby Programme）接觸到欖球運動。」
國泰顧客及商務總裁劉凱詩女士表示：「國泰一直以支持中國香港欖球運動為榮，我們很高興贊助中國香港欖球代表隊參加今年於『國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽』新增的『Melrose銀劍賽』。」
「從我們的欖球隊身上可以學到很多價值觀，包括我們本土球員向以互相尊重、嚴守紀律及團隊精神見稱，展現了真正的卓越精神、進取心以及不屈不撓的決心，這些正正是國泰一向全心擁護這些價值觀，並將其作為我們品牌文化的基石。國泰團隊向中國香港欖球隊表示熱烈祝賀，祝賀他們所取得的一切成就，並期待著為我們的欖球隊加油，讓他們一起努力實現夢想，並激勵香港下一代運動員。」
首次為亞洲列強而設的「Melrose銀劍賽」，男、女子組各三隊，男子組有中國、日本及東道主中國香港，女子組有中國、泰國及中國香港，為期三日的比賽以循環賽制定出決賽球隊。
中國香港女子隊將於4月5日（星期五）晚上6時22分出戰「Melrose銀劍賽」的揭幕戰，並硬碰中國隊，男子隊將於同日晚上7時24分出場，對手同樣是中國隊。周六（4月6日）的次天比賽，中國香港女子隊將於下午2時09分跟泰國碰頭，男子隊於3時11分跟「宿敵」日本隊對壘。
餘下兩場循環賽將於周日（4月7日）早上舉行- 中國女子隊於早上9時40分對泰國、中國男子隊緊隨於10時03分對日本。完成所有循環賽後，男、女子組最佳兩隊將分別進行決賽，女子組決賽將於周日下午3時28分進行，男子組決賽時間為3時56分。
「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽 2024」很高興成為一項「M」品牌認可活動，協助提升香港作為亞洲體育盛事之都的形象。獲大型體育活動事務委員會頒發的「M」品牌，標誌著緊張、精彩、刺激的大型體育活動。
「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽2024」（4月5-7日）：
中國香港男子七人欖球隊成員名單
禾獲特（隊長）、蔡紀駿、高凡迪爾、房傑鋒、靴貝特、李卡度、虎拿當尼、菲立斯、占士梳亞、薩耶斯、史戴爾斯、姚錦成
中國香港女子七人欖球隊成員名單
高香慧（隊長）、歐陽倩怡、巴達莎皓兒、巴達莎米奇拉、陳楚琪、陳芷晴、莊嘉欣、霍山文、馮凱晴、何維銨、許文玲、鄺天曈、林莎芘、藍嘉敏、潘凱恩、韋嘉芘拉
圖片說明：
圖1 – （左至右）中國香港女子七人欖球隊隊長高香慧、欖總主席蒲敬思、國泰顧客及商務總裁劉凱詩、滙豐香港區行政總裁林慧虹、欖總行政總裁麥偉彬、中國香港男子七人欖球隊隊長禾獲特今日出席港隊陣容公佈儀式。
資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong China Rugby
[Hong Kong, 26 March 2024]: Hong Kong China Rugby today announced the men’s and women’s sevens squads competing in the inaugural Melrose Claymores tournament at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 (5-7 April 2024) at the Hong Kong Stadium.
In addition to preparing for the debut Melrose Claymores tournament, the teams are attempting to qualify for a full-time place as core sides on the World Rugby HSBC SVNS series. The third and final qualification event in the HSBC World Rugby Challenger Series will be held in May (women’s in Krakow, Poland and men’s in Munich, Germany).
Hong Kong China men are in fifth place, one spot adrift of a required top four finish on the Series ahead of the final tournament. The women are in eighth place. The top four men’s and women’s teams from the Challenger advance to a promotion play-off at the finale of the HSBC SVNS in Madrid this Spring.
In June, both sides are also competing in the final international qualification tournament for the 2024 Olympic Games with the tournament winners booking the last spot in Paris this summer.
The congested calendar poses tremendous opportunities – and a need to carefully manage Hong Kong’s elite playing pool – over the coming weeks. To that end, Hong Kong China women’s sevens coach Andy Vilk has named a wider squad of 16 players eligible for the final 12-woman squad to be named ahead of the Melrose tournament.
The group includes experienced stars like captain Natasha Olson-Thorne, Nam Ka-man and Chong Ka-yan, and some of the influx of young talent in the squad like Micayla and Chloe Baltazar, with several other potential first caps included in the wider squad ahead of the final selection.
Hong Kong China Men’s coach Jevon Groves has named his final 12 for the Melrose Claymore battle with long-time captain Max Woodward returning fresh from being rested across the opening of the Challenger Series to mark his seventh Hong Kong Sevens weekend, and his sixth as captain.
He will be ably assisted by the experienced Salom Yiu Kam Shing making his 13th appearance inside the Stadium, as well as fellow veteran leaders Lee Ka-to, Michael Coverdale and Alessandro Nardoni. James Sawyer, Fong Kit Fung will both be making their Hong Kong stadium debuts.
Seb Brien and Max Denmark are both recovering from injury as Groves keeps one eye on the Challenger finale in Munich in May. Yiu, Liam Herbert, and Fong Kit Fung will be relied on to provide the finishing for the expected 40,000 daily fans this April, with Denmark and Brien (who led all try scorers last year inside the Stadium with six over the weekend) being rested.
“There are a few changes but we are giving some of the boys an opportunity and managing some players that picked up injuries in Uruguay, because it has been a heavy period. There is still plenty of experience in the group and we are really excited to see what this group can do.
“We have a real chance in the Challenger, so it has been a case of keeping one eye on that Munich tournament in May as well, which is another reason we needed to give some guys a look in now to get them back running again.
“Last year in Hong Kong some of our best memories were after playing, when we were interacting with the crowd. That is our motivation this year. We have a higher purpose to use the weekend as a way to generate buzz for Hong Kong Rugby. If we can, through our performance, get more people involved in rugby, and interested in rugby, that is what we hope to do,” said Groves, who played for Wales in the Hong Kong Sevens from 2009-2011 before joining HKCR.
“I have played in a few Hong Kong tournaments, not all that successfully for Wales I am afraid. I even lost to Hong Kong here once. Hong Kong is one of the best tournaments that I have played in and coached in; it was always the one the players wanted to be involved in even outside of Hong Kong, so to be a part of marking 30 years in the Stadium is really special,” Groves added.
That sentiment was shared by Natasha Olson-Thorne, captain of the Hong Kong China women’s squad, “To run out in the stadium in front of our home crowd playing against some of the world’s best teams, those are moments that I treasure; playing in front of your friends and family in the stadium is something I will always remember.
“It’s really important to have role models for female athletes, so girls know they can aspire to play rugby as a career. You can become a professional athlete, you can compete on the world stage in rugby, that will always be an option. I want young girls to look at me and say ‘yes, I aspire to do that, I aspire to play women’s rugby for Hong Kong,” added Olson-Thorne, who earned her first Hong Kong Sevens cap in 2007.
“On behalf of Hong Kong China Rugby I would like to congratulate all of the players here today and wish them all the best as they represent Hong Kong China inside the Stadium. Win or lose we know these athletes will once again represent Hong Kong and our rugby community positively both on and off the field,” said Mr Chris Brooke, Chairman of Hong Kong China Rugby.
Ms Luanne Lim, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Hong Kong said: “HSBC is proud to be a long-
term supporter of Hong Kong China Rugby, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the HSBC
SVNS series. The Hong Kong Sevens is about global camaraderie and athletic brilliance. We are
delighted to be here today to support the Hong Kong China rugby teams. They carry the hopes
and dreams of thousands of young local players and fans on their shoulders when they enter
the stadium. We are confident that will do themselves, and our city proud.
“Besides elite rugby teams and tournaments, HSBC also support several community rugby
programmes in Hong Kong. Over 67,000 boys and girls from local schools have now had the
opportunity to play rugby through the HSBC Try Rugby Programme.”
Ms Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer & Commercial Officer of Cathay said: “Cathay has long been a proud supporter of rugby in Hong Kong, and we are delighted to be sponsoring the Hong Kong China Rugby representative teams as they take to the field for the inaugural Melrose Claymores tournament at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens this year.
Many values can be learned from our rugby teams. Defined by respect, discipline, and teamwork, our home-grown athletes demonstrate the true spirit of excellence, progressiveness, and determination – values that we at Cathay embrace wholeheartedly as cornerstones of our brand culture. From our team at Cathay to yours, a huge congratulations to the players and to Hong Kong China Rugby for everything they have accomplished, and we look forward to cheering on our rugby teams as they strive together to achieve their dreams and inspire the next generation of Hong Kong sportspeople.”
“On behalf of Hong Kong China Rugby I would like to congratulate all of the players here today and to wish them all the best as they bid to represent Hong Kong China inside the Stadium next month. Win or lose we know these athletes will once again represent Hong Kong and our rugby community positively on and off the field,” said Mr Chris Brooke, HKCR Chairman.
The Hong Kong China women’s seven will open their Melrose Claymore challenge on Friday, 5 April, at 18:22 versus China, while the men will also play China at 19:24. On Saturday, Hong Kong China women face Thailand at 14:09 while the men take on Japan at 15:11. The remaining matches in the round robin format will be played on Sunday, 7 April, with China women taking on Thailand at 9:40 and China men playing Japan at 10:03. At the conclusion of the round robin format the top two teams in each competition face off in the Melrose Claymores Finals, with the women’s match at 15:28 and the men’s match at 15:56.
The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
Hong Kong China Men’s Sevens Squad for Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (5-7 Apr):
Max WOODWARD (Captain); James CHRISTIE; Mike COVERDALE; FONG Kit Fung*; Liam HERBERT; LEE Ka To Cado; Alessandro NARDONI; Bryn PHILLIPS; James SAWYER*; Harry SAYERS; Hugo STILES; YIU Kam Shing Salom.
*Hong Kong Sevens debut
Hong Kong China Women’s Sevens WIDER Squad for Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (5-7 Apr)
Natasha OLSON-THORNE (Captain); AU YEUNG Sin Yi; BALTAZAR Chloe; BALTAZAR, Micayla; CHAN Chor Ki Stephanie; CHAN Tsz Ching Agnes; CHONG Ka Yan; Shanna FORREST; FUNG Hoi Ching; HO Wai On Jessica; HUI Man Ling; KWONG Tin Tung, Etta; Sabay LYNAM; NAM Ka Man; POON Hoi Yan; Gabriella RIVERS
Photo Caption:
Photo 1 - L to R: Hong Kong China Women’s captain Natasha Olson Thorne; Hong Kong China Rugby Chairman Chris Brooke; Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Cathay; Luanne Lim, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Hong Kong; Robbie McRobbie, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong China Rugby; Hong Kong Men’s captain Max Woodward at today’s team announcement.
Information and photo source : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong China Rugby
