香港賽馬會助香港女子十五人欖球隊強勢回歸 Hong Kong Jockey Club helps Hong Kong Women’s XVs “Find Our Way”

最近香港與哈薩克之間的兩場國際欖球賽事對香港女子欖球來說是一個重要的時刻，因為這是香港隊自2019年以來的首場國際挑戰賽。

這兩場國際賽事由香港賽馬會（馬會）獨家贊助，是香港賽馬會撥款六億三千萬港元支持特區政府為慶祝特區成立二十五周年而舉辦的多個項目之一，展示香港賽馬會將繼續秉持致力建設更美好社會的宗旨，與香港並肩同行。

由於疫情關係，香港女子十五人欖球隊（港隊）在過去三年的大部分時間內都處於休賽狀態，而這兩場比賽的賽果也突顯了香港女子欖球社區那無堅不摧的毅力。

雖然港隊是全球最後一批重返國際欖球比賽的球隊之一，但港隊於12月10日在小西灣運動場以31:17 大勝哈薩克後，再在12月17日於香港足球會再下一城，在最後一刻以14:12 反勝對手，再次封后。

連贏兩場的賽果有助彌補球隊及球員們之前所經歷的無數次失望，包括因外遊限制而導致港隊無法參加「十五人欖球世界盃2021」外圍賽，因而無緣爭取出戰於新西蘭舉行的世界盃。

由於港隊在上屆2017年世界盃中成為香港欖球總會（欖總）70年歷史以來首支獲得十五人欖球世界盃參賽資格的隊伍，不戰而敗的痛苦可想而知。而事實上，港隊平白給了那場外圍賽的對手哈薩克直接晉級參與遺材賽，而哈薩克在最後階段也敗予哥倫比亞，未能取得世界盃入場券。

長久未有出戰國際賽事的港隊本月重返賽場的目標只有一個，就是要強勢回歸，找回球隊的步伐。

在香港十五人欖球隊的首位華裔主帥陳朗詩的帶領下，港隊連取兩場勝利，加上香港最頂尖的女子欖球員以大勇之態重返國際舞台，這都足以證明港隊成功達標。

亦多得現場數千位入場觀眾支持港隊，以及實時直播至全球觀眾，說明香港已準備就緒再次與國際接軌，而全球的欖球界人士也可看清香港欖球的實力。

在揭幕戰獲勝後，香港隊的世界排名飆升至第15位，創下歷史新高，僅落後亞洲球隊中排名最高的日本隊三位；但對球隊的雙隊長李嘉宣來說，在主場取勝才是最重要。

她說：「球隊非常感謝香港賽馬會的支持。相隔多年再次上場的感覺真的很好，但這只是我們的第一步，現在我們可以信心十足地期待將來的比賽。」

另一位球隊的隊長高香慧（Natasha Olson-Thorne）也談到這兩場賽事對整個女子欖球界的影響，她說：「我們一直以出戰世界盃為目標，但能夠在主場觀眾前出賽也是十分重要。在朋友和家人面前跑出來總會令你有額外的動力，同時也啟發了在場年輕的女孩。她們可能會以我們為榜樣，終有一天也可成為港隊成員。」

港隊主帥陳朗詩也感謝馬會和欖總的支持，她說：「經過這兩場勝利後，球員們會對自己更有信心。我們絕對值得獲得出賽機會和勝利。經過這麼長的時間，能夠在主場觀眾前取勝實屬難得。希望這能激發更多女孩參加欖球運動並成為港隊一員為香港效力。」

The recent international rugby match series between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan was a seminal moment for Hong Kong women’s rugby given it was the first competitive opportunities for Team Hong Kong since 2019.

The series was made possible by the exclusive sponsorship of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), as one of the many initiatives supported by the HKJC's approved donation of HK$630 million to the Government of the HKSAR to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, demonstrating that the HKJC is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of our society, all in support of creating stronger communities together. The result of the two-match series also underscored the resolute strength of Hong Kong women’s rugby community despite the ravages of the pandemic, which side-lined the women’s team for much of the past three years. Despite being one of the last teams to return to international rugby competition globally, Hong Kong swept Kazakhstan with a 31-17 win at Siu Sai Wan Stadium on 10 December, followed by a dramatic last-second win, 14-12, at Hong Kong Football Club on 18 December.

The results helped to make up for the many disappointments encountered by the team and its players, including missing out on the opportunity to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand after travel complications prevented Hong Kong from competing in the regional qualification process. That pain was felt even more keenly given the fact that in 2017 the women’s team became the first representative team in the 70-year history of the Hong Kong Rugby Union to qualify for a fifteen-a-side Rugby World Cup – and the fact that Kazakhstan participated in Hong Kong’s stead, falling to Colombia at the penultimate stage. After such a long lay-off between international games the team’s return to play this month was guided by a simple slogan: “Find Our Way”.

The newfound direction was evident in the emotional scenes surrounding the return of Hong Kong’s top women’s players to the international stage - and the two emphatic wins under Hong Kong’s first ever ethnic Chinese head coach of a representative fifteens team, Chan Leong-sze. The fact that those milestones came in front of thousands of spectators in-stadium and across the global livestream broadcast– shows that the path is now clear for Hong Kong to re-emerge and show the rugby world its true potential. After the opening series win, Hong Kong shot to its highest ever place in the rankings at 15th in the world - just three places behind the top-ranked Asian team, Japan; but for team co-captain Lee Ka-shun the true importance of the results lies much closer to home.

“The team is very thankful to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its support. It is amazing to play again after such a long time, but this is just the first step for us and now we can look forward with confidence to future games.” Fellow team leader Natasha Olson-Thorne also spoke about the impact of the series on the entire women’s rugby community saying, “We are always reaching for the goal of another world cup, but it was hugely important for us to just play, and in front of our local crowds. It always gives you an extra boost to run out in front of your friends and family, but also to inspire the young girls in the crowd. They may be looking at us and saying ‘I want to be out there one day.’”

Hong Kong head coach Chan Leong-sze also recognised the HKJC and the Hong Kong Rugby Union for the support saying, “After these victories, the girls will believe in themselves even more. We deserved those opportunities and those wins. It was incredible to have these moments come in front of our home audience after such a long time. “Hopefully it can inspire more girls to want to play for Team Hong Kong,” she added.

資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong Rugby Union