Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Korea rugby settles for bronze in Asian Games
The Korean men's team in the rugby at the Asian Games settled for bronze, beating China into 4th place and had to watch their arch-rivals Japan beat Hong Kong for gold. Meanwhile, Korea women's rugby lost all theirmatches, only scoring in the final game play off.
For the Korea mens rugby, this will be a disappointment, especially as their path through to the semi-final was disrupted when they lost to China....that must be a first...meaning they had to take on Japan in the semis...bad news.
In the women's tournament, the Korean team were novices and suffered some heavy defeats. Let's hope the experience does not put them off....great progress is still possible before the 2016 Olympics when rugby will feature for the first time.
For the Korea mens rugby, this will be a disappointment, especially as their path through to the semi-final was disrupted when they lost to China....that must be a first...meaning they had to take on Japan in the semis...bad news.
In the women's tournament, the Korean team were novices and suffered some heavy defeats. Let's hope the experience does not put them off....great progress is still possible before the 2016 Olympics when rugby will feature for the first time.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Korea rugby at Asian Games 2010
If you plan to watch our girls and boys at the rugby in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, then they play on November 21/22/23 in the university town main stadium.
Korea's rugby men are in
Pool B KOR CHN SRI IND
And Korea rugby Women are in
Women’s Pool A CHN THA HKG UZB KOR
The men should be good at least for the semi-final and then expect to play either Japan or Hong Kong which will be tough.
For the women, it is really open....I hear Korea women's rugby team is really making good progress! So this should be a good test!
Korea's rugby men are in
Pool B KOR CHN SRI IND
And Korea rugby Women are in
Women’s Pool A CHN THA HKG UZB KOR
The men should be good at least for the semi-final and then expect to play either Japan or Hong Kong which will be tough.
For the women, it is really open....I hear Korea women's rugby team is really making good progress! So this should be a good test!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Touch Korea veterans reunite in England
Yes, they all got back together in sunny England in September....coming from the US, Denmark, China...countries from Aussie to Zimbabwe represented...and played a touch tournament in the rustic setting of Castle Cary Rugby Club in Somerset...
Touch is taking off in England competitively and socially so it was not surprising this even was picked up by England Touch in their Autumn Newsletter http://www.englandtouch.org.uk/
Good to see people keeping "in touch".
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Han River Pirates, Touch Rugby for kids in Seoul
Han River Pirates has updated its website and now you can get all the info you need on the club and where your girls and boys can play rugby and Touch in Seoul. Korea’s first Touch Tag Rugby club for kids can be found here http://www.hanriverpiratesrugby.com/
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Han River Pirates kicks off new season
2010 is the fifth anniversary season for the Han River Pirates Touch Tag Rugby Club in Seoul. This is the club that brings together kids of all ages, boys and girls, expats and locals to play rugby and touch together in Seoul. This year, they are very fortunate to have the support of the newly opened Dulwich School in Seoul as hosts and the expert training from Seoul Survivors (which is how it started in 2005). With expected numbers of boys and girls playing to be around 35-40, it has always been a friendly and supportive group with as much fun for the parents and supporters on the touchline as for the kids on the park.
This year, the usual tournaments at Taejon are expected but word reaches us that rugby and Touch is also being played elsewhere on the peninsula so maybe tournaments will be expanded to accomodate?
This year, the usual tournaments at Taejon are expected but word reaches us that rugby and Touch is also being played elsewhere on the peninsula so maybe tournaments will be expanded to accomodate?
Info on the Han Rover Pirates can be found here http://www.hanriverpiratesrugby.com/ or contact club President Matt Gurr.
ITS 2010 another massive success!
Touch in Korea goes from strength to strength and ITS 2010, their showpiece tournament was testament to that a couple of weeks ago in Seoul. A big contingent of teams from around Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore all were represented) as well as teams from across the peninsula. Once again, standards of play and refereeing rose and once again, the visiting teams paid tribute to the special welcome they get in Seoul. Read more from the Korea Times here http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/09/177_72709.html
Joe Day, Seoul Survivors inaugural life member
Congratulations go to Joe Day, Seoul Survivors club man for thirty years and their inaugural life member. Here is the scamp pictured a couple of years ago as a referee in the International Touch Seoul tournament. Enthusiastic, knowledgable and most of all, committed to rugby, Joe 's great efforts are well recognised by this award.
Oakwood Cup stays in Seoul
Seoul Survivors hosted the Oakwood Cup at the weekend and it sounds like a very even competition ensued. Survivors A, their second string Killer B's, the Tokyo Gaijon and a combined Korea + Yonsei Uni contested.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Korea hold their title at Shanghai Sevens
Korea hold their title at Shanghai Sevens
A brilliant display by Shanghai and especially captain Kim, Won-young whose buzzing presence and constant sniping marked him out as player of the tournament.
Korea beat China in the final by 38-24, a score at the final whistle making things look a lot more comfortable than they had for the last five minutes. The second half in the final was probably the only time the Koreans had been under serious pressure for the whole tournament and it showed as they made poor decisions (such as kicking penalties dead or into touch) as they tried to use up time. China played very well, deserved finalists and while they got too far adrift in the first half of the final, they came back strongly in the second and showed the form that had taken them past the other favourites, Hong Kong.
In the earlier rounds, Korea cruised through the group stages and quarter finals but must have been concerned to come up against Japan in the semis. They needn’t have been as they trounced their erstwhile main rivals by a huge margin. Quite simply, Japan were never in it which let Korea turn on the style and show boat, once again never letting the ball die and making outrageous passes even when over the try line….it was more than rubbing it in….so watch out at the next event!
A brilliant display by Shanghai and especially captain Kim, Won-young whose buzzing presence and constant sniping marked him out as player of the tournament.
Korea beat China in the final by 38-24, a score at the final whistle making things look a lot more comfortable than they had for the last five minutes. The second half in the final was probably the only time the Koreans had been under serious pressure for the whole tournament and it showed as they made poor decisions (such as kicking penalties dead or into touch) as they tried to use up time. China played very well, deserved finalists and while they got too far adrift in the first half of the final, they came back strongly in the second and showed the form that had taken them past the other favourites, Hong Kong.
In the earlier rounds, Korea cruised through the group stages and quarter finals but must have been concerned to come up against Japan in the semis. They needn’t have been as they trounced their erstwhile main rivals by a huge margin. Quite simply, Japan were never in it which let Korea turn on the style and show boat, once again never letting the ball die and making outrageous passes even when over the try line….it was more than rubbing it in….so watch out at the next event!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Shanhai Sevens- Asian Rugby Sevens Series
As part of plan to develop rugby in Asia, 4th-5th September will see Shanghai stage an intensely fast and furious rugby tournament – “Shanghai Sevens” which was sanctioned by the international Rugby Board (IRB), the China Rugby Football Union and the Asian Rugby Football Union. It will become the newest stop for international rugby sevens with 2-day rugby festival incorporating international club7s tournament, vets 10s and exhibition matches.
In its effort to promote and grow rugby in China, the IRB aims to connect its Asian Rugby Sevens Series event withthe existing Shanghai Guinness Rugby Sevens Tournament. We will see the supporting games from its most successful amateur rugby tournament in Asia, which has over 15 teams participating.
http://www.shanghai7s.com/
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In its effort to promote and grow rugby in China, the IRB aims to connect its Asian Rugby Sevens Series event withthe existing Shanghai Guinness Rugby Sevens Tournament. We will see the supporting games from its most successful amateur rugby tournament in Asia, which has over 15 teams participating.
http://www.shanghai7s.com/
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Changwon to Host Next Leg of Korea Rugby Series
Changwon, South Korea – August 9, 2010 — Changwon, west of Busan, will host the next round of the Korea 10s League rugby series. The third of four planned tournaments will be held on Saturday the 21st of August from 12pm to 5pm, continuing the growing success of expatriate rugby on the peninsula.
The tournament has space for six teams and the hosts expect to welcome squads from Seoul, Cheongju, Gumi, Jeollanam-do and Busan.
The last two tournaments have been dominated by the Seoul Survivors, although other teams are catching up fast. In the latest round in Cheongju, the Gumi Barbarians pushed Seoul’s A squad very close, only letting the previously dominant side win by a solitary converted try.
The Korea 10s League is a four round series held in cities throughout Korea aimed at promoting and developing full-contact rugby. The last tournament is planned for Gumi, north-west of Daegu, in early October.
10s Rugby tournaments have been held in Korea before but this is the first time that a coordinated league has been developed in order to provide rugby players with the opportunity for year-round competition against other competitive sides. 10-a-side rugby requires less player numbers and resources to run, maximizing the amount of teams and players, both foreign and Korean, that can participate in the tournaments.
Each individual tournament is played in a round-robin format. Points accumulated throughout the season will decide the winner of the series.
The tournament has space for six teams and the hosts expect to welcome squads from Seoul, Cheongju, Gumi, Jeollanam-do and Busan.
The last two tournaments have been dominated by the Seoul Survivors, although other teams are catching up fast. In the latest round in Cheongju, the Gumi Barbarians pushed Seoul’s A squad very close, only letting the previously dominant side win by a solitary converted try.
The Korea 10s League is a four round series held in cities throughout Korea aimed at promoting and developing full-contact rugby. The last tournament is planned for Gumi, north-west of Daegu, in early October.
10s Rugby tournaments have been held in Korea before but this is the first time that a coordinated league has been developed in order to provide rugby players with the opportunity for year-round competition against other competitive sides. 10-a-side rugby requires less player numbers and resources to run, maximizing the amount of teams and players, both foreign and Korean, that can participate in the tournaments.
Each individual tournament is played in a round-robin format. Points accumulated throughout the season will decide the winner of the series.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Korea’s biggest ever Touch tournament?
Korea’s biggest ever Touch tournament?
It seems that ITS 2010 is likely to break all records for this “party in the park” tournament that has become a key fixture on the Asian Touch circuit. With nine teams already registered from overseas, it should be a real belter. The Korea Military Academy will host the tournament again and loads of great sponsors will ensure goodies for the players as well as slick organisation and great facilities in a beautiful setting….and then comes the party!!
According to Korea Touch Association’s Shane Lowndes “As for ITS, we now have 9x International Teams registered for the Men’s and Mixed”. He also mentioned that space still is there for “local” i.e. Korea Peninsula teams before going on to say “This is set to be the biggest opportunity for Touch in Korea, so we need to get a good showing of local teams in both Divisions.”. He also paid tribute to generous and loyal sponsorship while emphasizing the sport of Touch is well worth funding “ We are grateful for the support from Seoul Metropolitan Government, Dow Corning, Macquarie, OB Brewing, East West Neo Medical Center, Santa Fe Relocations & Sam Ryan’s so far for ITS in 2010. Please support them ! We still need more support & sponsorship, so please contact me if you would like to discuss.”
More info on www.koreatouch.com
It seems that ITS 2010 is likely to break all records for this “party in the park” tournament that has become a key fixture on the Asian Touch circuit. With nine teams already registered from overseas, it should be a real belter. The Korea Military Academy will host the tournament again and loads of great sponsors will ensure goodies for the players as well as slick organisation and great facilities in a beautiful setting….and then comes the party!!
According to Korea Touch Association’s Shane Lowndes “As for ITS, we now have 9x International Teams registered for the Men’s and Mixed”. He also mentioned that space still is there for “local” i.e. Korea Peninsula teams before going on to say “This is set to be the biggest opportunity for Touch in Korea, so we need to get a good showing of local teams in both Divisions.”. He also paid tribute to generous and loyal sponsorship while emphasizing the sport of Touch is well worth funding “ We are grateful for the support from Seoul Metropolitan Government, Dow Corning, Macquarie, OB Brewing, East West Neo Medical Center, Santa Fe Relocations & Sam Ryan’s so far for ITS in 2010. Please support them ! We still need more support & sponsorship, so please contact me if you would like to discuss.”
More info on www.koreatouch.com
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Touch is being played at a military base in Korea
As you might know, Korea is one of the few countries maintaining a mandatory conscription system due the unique situation of the Korean Peninsula. Because of the system, men in their 20s are subject to 24 months of military service and they don't have much freedom in the troops compared to their normal life in the society.
Nevertheless, our touch friend, Sungjoon Kim in the Korean Coastguard Service, tries to distribute Touch to youngsters who have never experienced or seen the new sport. As a squad leader in the ship, nowadays, hs has distributed the Touch and all of coast guardian enlisted in the ship are playing Touch everyday when the ship stays in the port of Incheon. Even, sons are playing in the deck when the ship navigates Yellow sea.
This is an amzing story and it shows how Touch is growing in Korea. Keep up the good work, Sungjoon!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Cheongju to Host Next Leg of Korea Rugby Series
Cheongju, South Korea – June 24, 2010 — Cheongju’s Chungbuk National University will be the next venue to host the Korea 10s League rugby series. The second of four tournaments will be held on Saturday the 3rd of July from 1pm to 7pm and aims to continue the success of the opening tournament in Seoul.
Six teams are expected to appear in Cheongju, mirroring the turnout in Seoul, including teams from Gumi, Jeonnam and Korea University.
The Korea 10s League is a four round series held in cities throughout Korea aimed at promoting and developing full-contact rugby. Other tournaments are planned for Busan and Gumi later in the year.
10s rugby tournaments have been held in Korea before but this is the first time that a coordinated league has been developed in order to provide rugby players with the opportunity for year-round competition against other competitive sides. 10-a-side rugby requires less player numbers and resources to run, maximizing the amount of teams and players, both foreign and Korean, that can participate in the tournaments.
Each individual tournament is a round-robin culminating in a playoff series. Points accumulated throughout the season will decide the winner of the series.
Six teams are expected to appear in Cheongju, mirroring the turnout in Seoul, including teams from Gumi, Jeonnam and Korea University.
The Korea 10s League is a four round series held in cities throughout Korea aimed at promoting and developing full-contact rugby. Other tournaments are planned for Busan and Gumi later in the year.
10s rugby tournaments have been held in Korea before but this is the first time that a coordinated league has been developed in order to provide rugby players with the opportunity for year-round competition against other competitive sides. 10-a-side rugby requires less player numbers and resources to run, maximizing the amount of teams and players, both foreign and Korean, that can participate in the tournaments.
Each individual tournament is a round-robin culminating in a playoff series. Points accumulated throughout the season will decide the winner of the series.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Gangnam Rugby 10s Tournament
You are invited to "Gangnam Rugby 10s Tournament " on Sunday, June 27 at 9:00am.
Event: Gangnam Rugby 10s Tournament
Start Time: Sunday, June 27 at 9:00am
End Time: Sunday, June 27 at 6:00pm
Where: Jamwon Park
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=138835816126592&mid=28a257dG2ecb78aaG5cbb8a3G7&n_m=jeremy.burks%40dowcorning.com
Event: Gangnam Rugby 10s Tournament
Start Time: Sunday, June 27 at 9:00am
End Time: Sunday, June 27 at 6:00pm
Where: Jamwon Park
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=138835816126592&mid=28a257dG2ecb78aaG5cbb8a3G7&n_m=jeremy.burks%40dowcorning.com
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
More Korea Rugby Tens on Sat 3rd July
Korea10's Rugby League, Sat 3 July 2010, Cheongju, Korea
Cheongju will host the next leg of the Korea 10s on Saturday 3 July. All adult men rugby players are welcome to show up whether you are affiliated to a team or not as a scratch team may be made up on the day to fill the schedule or as cover players for teams that need numbers or lose their own players through injury.The Korea 10's League has 2 more events planned for 2010:Busan - Saturday 28 AugustGumi - Saturday 2 OctoberThe first leg on Saturday 8 May featured: Seoul Survivors SS Killer Bs Cheongju Knights Gumi Barbarians Korea University Jeonnam Aliens
Please visit: http://koreatens.com/
Cheongju will host the next leg of the Korea 10s on Saturday 3 July. All adult men rugby players are welcome to show up whether you are affiliated to a team or not as a scratch team may be made up on the day to fill the schedule or as cover players for teams that need numbers or lose their own players through injury.The Korea 10's League has 2 more events planned for 2010:Busan - Saturday 28 AugustGumi - Saturday 2 OctoberThe first leg on Saturday 8 May featured: Seoul Survivors SS Killer Bs Cheongju Knights Gumi Barbarians Korea University Jeonnam Aliens
Please visit: http://koreatens.com/
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Touch tournament in Seoul on June 5th
Event: Second Tournament of the 2010 Touch Series: Seoul Survivors
Start Time: Saturday, June 5 at 9:00am
End Time: Saturday, June 5 at 4:00pm
Where: Jamwon Rugby Pitch, Apgujeong, Seoul
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=126352364055946&mid=26dbd80G2ecb78aaG5a50442G7&n_m=jeremy.burks%40dowcorning.com
Start Time: Saturday, June 5 at 9:00am
End Time: Saturday, June 5 at 4:00pm
Where: Jamwon Rugby Pitch, Apgujeong, Seoul
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=126352364055946&mid=26dbd80G2ecb78aaG5a50442G7&n_m=jeremy.burks%40dowcorning.com
Korea's Seoul Survivors rugby edge closer to Yellow Sea Cup
At a big rugby fest on the banks of the Han River, Seoul (see map at the side of the blog showing the Jamwon Rugby Pitch), a large gathering of players and supporters saw the Survivors edge old enemy Shanghai by just 17-14. The Killer Bs drew 10-10 with the Shanghai Bs and the Sisters had a great run against the Shanghai Sharks and the Korean womens' team. Survivors are now one step away from bringing the Yellow Sea Cup "home" to Seoul. Stay tuned for the latest games and events.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Yellow Sea Cup 2010: Seoul Survivors vs. Shanghai Hairy Crabs Today
This is the squad to face Shanghai today. After a string of injuries to key players, the coaches have still selected a formidable team to battle the Hairy Crabs. Speedy winger Jacob Leonard is bracketed with the recently returned James Tucker after the former pulled a hamstring at training. A fitness test today will determine Leonard's availablity at Jamwon tomorrow. If Leonard is ruled out, Irishman Luke Reidy will come on to the bench to add some real dash on the flanks. Meanwhile, livewire loose forward Kenneth Park has found himself stranded stateside leaving a forward berth open on the bench.
1. Dean Dawson CAN2. Steve Ko NZL3. Joshua Pearce NZL4. Rico Colón USA5. Justin Jackson USA6. Brian Bruckman CAN7. Simon Walsh NZL8. Alan Nuusila SAM9. Newton Thompson NZL10.Ibrahim Zylstra CAN11.Jacob Leonard USA/James Tucker ENG12.Mona Tumamao SAM13.Nathan Atkins NZL14.Kurt Taogaga NZL15.Hikaru Tamoto JAP
Jeff Barg USABeau Spencer USATobias Jerling RSATheron Fau NZLJono O'Sullivan NZLJames Tucker ENG/Luke Reidy IRE
The timetable is scheduled as follows:
1:15pm: Seoul Sisters vs. Shanghai Sharks (7s)
2:15pm: Seoul Survivors vs. Shanghai Hairy Crabs (15s)
4:00pm: SS Killer Bs vs. Shanghai Bs (10s)
Regards,
The Survivors
1. Dean Dawson CAN2. Steve Ko NZL3. Joshua Pearce NZL4. Rico Colón USA5. Justin Jackson USA6. Brian Bruckman CAN7. Simon Walsh NZL8. Alan Nuusila SAM9. Newton Thompson NZL10.Ibrahim Zylstra CAN11.Jacob Leonard USA/James Tucker ENG12.Mona Tumamao SAM13.Nathan Atkins NZL14.Kurt Taogaga NZL15.Hikaru Tamoto JAP
Jeff Barg USABeau Spencer USATobias Jerling RSATheron Fau NZLJono O'Sullivan NZLJames Tucker ENG/Luke Reidy IRE
The timetable is scheduled as follows:
1:15pm: Seoul Sisters vs. Shanghai Sharks (7s)
2:15pm: Seoul Survivors vs. Shanghai Hairy Crabs (15s)
4:00pm: SS Killer Bs vs. Shanghai Bs (10s)
Regards,
The Survivors
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Korea rugby in mourning!!!
This blog is in mourning following the demise of Korean rugby.....four games and four losses in the a5n (Asia Five Nations rugby) for Korea....just what on earth has gone wrong?
Well, we've posted before on the politicking that goes on in Korean rugby, to the detriment of the game, the players and the pride of the nation....not a new phenomenon....and we wonder about the ability of the people involved when so much energy and passion comes to so little....
Time for change.....and the blog will remain black until the dawn of a new Korean rugby.....
Well, we've posted before on the politicking that goes on in Korean rugby, to the detriment of the game, the players and the pride of the nation....not a new phenomenon....and we wonder about the ability of the people involved when so much energy and passion comes to so little....
Time for change.....and the blog will remain black until the dawn of a new Korean rugby.....
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Korea rugby featured in documentary
Ironic that all the publicity comes when the results are so disappointing but here is a link for a documentary from KBS on Korean rugby http://www.kbs.co.kr/2tv/sisa/3days/vod/1650385_22093.html as the Korean team played Japan in the 2010 Asia 5 Nations a5n
Live Rugby in Korea (HSBC A5N)
Date: May 22, 2010 2pm (Saturday)
Location: Incheon Munhak Stadium (No.2 pitch)
How to get there: see below
For the directions (map):
http://touchtagrugby.blogspot.com/2008/05/asian-five-nations-in-korea-vs.html
Location: Incheon Munhak Stadium (No.2 pitch)
How to get there: see below
For the directions (map):
http://touchtagrugby.blogspot.com/2008/05/asian-five-nations-in-korea-vs.html
Live rugby in Korea
Kurtis invited you to "Yellow Sea Cup 2010: Seoul Survivors vs. Shanghai Hairy Crabs" on Saturday, May 29 at 2:00pm.
Kurtis says, "Ladies and gents,
C'mon down and support your team. This is our most important game of the year! Help us bring home the Yellow Sea Cup!".
Event: Yellow Sea Cup 2010: Seoul Survivors vs. Shanghai Hairy CrabsWhat: Sporting
EventStart Time: Saturday, May 29 at 2:00pmEnd Time: Saturday, May 29 at 4:00pmWhere:
Jamwon Rugby Pitch, Apgujeong, Seoul
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=114323985276384&mid=25af7f0G2ecb78aaG58c69c8G7&n_m=jeremy.burks%40dowcorning.com
Thanks,
Contact:Kurt Taogaga
Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club010-2206-5878 kurt@survivorsrfc.com
www.survivorsrfc.com
Seoul Host Top-ranked Shanghai in International Rugby ClashThe
Seoul Survivors will host archrivals the Shanghai Hairy Crabs at Jamwon Rugby Pitch, Apgujeong at 2:30pm on Saturday, May 29th. This international rugby match between 2009’s two top-ranked sides looms as the most anticipated clash of the 2010 Yellow Sea Cup and will play a large part in deciding the fate of this year’s trophy.The Yellow Sea Cup is an annual round-robin competition between four of Asia’s top expatriate rugby teams: the Beijing Devils, the Shanghai Hairy Crabs and the Guangzhou Rams, all representing China’s expatriate populations, as well as South Korea’s sole representative, the Seoul Survivors.
The Survivors and the Hairy Crabs have had a history of close-fought games with Shanghai edging out the Survivors for the past three years, retaining their mantle as Asia’s top expatriate rugby team. Playing hosts this year, Seoul will look to place one hand firmly on the trophy for the first time since winning the inaugural championship in 2005.
Kurtis says, "Ladies and gents,
C'mon down and support your team. This is our most important game of the year! Help us bring home the Yellow Sea Cup!".
Event: Yellow Sea Cup 2010: Seoul Survivors vs. Shanghai Hairy CrabsWhat: Sporting
EventStart Time: Saturday, May 29 at 2:00pmEnd Time: Saturday, May 29 at 4:00pmWhere:
Jamwon Rugby Pitch, Apgujeong, Seoul
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=114323985276384&mid=25af7f0G2ecb78aaG58c69c8G7&n_m=jeremy.burks%40dowcorning.com
Thanks,
Contact:Kurt Taogaga
Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club010-2206-5878 kurt@survivorsrfc.com
www.survivorsrfc.com
Seoul Host Top-ranked Shanghai in International Rugby ClashThe
Seoul Survivors will host archrivals the Shanghai Hairy Crabs at Jamwon Rugby Pitch, Apgujeong at 2:30pm on Saturday, May 29th. This international rugby match between 2009’s two top-ranked sides looms as the most anticipated clash of the 2010 Yellow Sea Cup and will play a large part in deciding the fate of this year’s trophy.The Yellow Sea Cup is an annual round-robin competition between four of Asia’s top expatriate rugby teams: the Beijing Devils, the Shanghai Hairy Crabs and the Guangzhou Rams, all representing China’s expatriate populations, as well as South Korea’s sole representative, the Seoul Survivors.
The Survivors and the Hairy Crabs have had a history of close-fought games with Shanghai edging out the Survivors for the past three years, retaining their mantle as Asia’s top expatriate rugby team. Playing hosts this year, Seoul will look to place one hand firmly on the trophy for the first time since winning the inaugural championship in 2005.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Hopes fade for Korea Rugby
What happened to all the hype? For several years Korea Rugby Union's mantra has been "Rugby World Cup 2011"....and now they look very unlikely to even hold on to a place in the Asia Five Nations (a5n)...what the heck has gone wrong?
Infighting amongst rugby activists has left an organisation bereft of experienced leadership and despite the fact that funds are at an all time high, the game is suffering on all levels....the only bright spark being better organisation of the expat game in Korea.
Will this year's string of humiliating results be a final wake-up call or will the Korean Olympic Committee pull the plug on support and close down the KRU's last remanants of professional organisation.
Sadly, for years now, the KRU has been about politics and factions and dubious kudos for those occupying the leadership positions....the current regime being no different from previous attempts. Who can step forward to clean up the mess and put the game before ego?
In some ways, a loss to Kazekhstan or a relegantion to division 2 maybe a belssing in disguise....but it will make the mountain to climb much taller and much steeper....
Infighting amongst rugby activists has left an organisation bereft of experienced leadership and despite the fact that funds are at an all time high, the game is suffering on all levels....the only bright spark being better organisation of the expat game in Korea.
Will this year's string of humiliating results be a final wake-up call or will the Korean Olympic Committee pull the plug on support and close down the KRU's last remanants of professional organisation.
Sadly, for years now, the KRU has been about politics and factions and dubious kudos for those occupying the leadership positions....the current regime being no different from previous attempts. Who can step forward to clean up the mess and put the game before ego?
In some ways, a loss to Kazekhstan or a relegantion to division 2 maybe a belssing in disguise....but it will make the mountain to climb much taller and much steeper....
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Arabian Gulf bow out on a historic high in HSBC Asian 5 Nations 2010
[Dubai, May 14 2010]: In its last ever international match, the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union (AGRFU) bowed out on a historic note beating Korea 21-19 this evening at The Sevens in Dubai. The win is the Arabian Gulf’s second in its HSBC A5N 2010 campaign after beating Hong Kong in Bahrain two weeks ago, and is the first over Korea in its 17-year history of test match rugby. As a testament to the growth of rugby in west Asia, tonight’s historic match opened with a curtain raiser featuring the first ever test between Jordan and Lebanon. Lebanon won on its HSBC Asian 5 Nations debut 27-8.
Korea opened the showcase match with its customary intensity and enjoyed the run of possession in the first half, but could only manage a 14-6 lead at the break through tries from scrumhalf Park Wan Yong and Han Kun Kyu and two conversions from fly half Lee Yong Min.
The Koreans first crossed over in the 12th minute through a darting run from scrumhalf Park and it seemed that the game was in danger of breaking Korea’s way until the Gulf settled down through two well taken penalties from winger James Love to bring the score to 7-6 Korea with ten minutes remaining in the half.
A second Korean try this time from powerful No. 8 Han Kun Kyu who charged over the line from short range put paid to the Gulf’s momentum and brought the score to 14-6 with the conversion. Han’s try was a just reward for the mobile loosie who had shaken off an earlier injury that required extensive treatment on the field to get his name into the scoring books.
Conceding points in the last minute of the half can be a confidence killer but the Arabian Gulf rebounded in the second half, particularly through some strong play from standout stand-off Duncan Murray who matched some canny kicks for territory with some incisive runs that helped chip away the Korean defence. Murray’s efforts were rewarded early on when he completed a bruising run through several of Korea’s back line defence to crash over for the Gulf’s first try of the night. Love’s conversion brought the AGRFU to within one point and 30 minutes remaining - setting up a thrilling second half.
After the Gulf try, Korean fortunes turned from bad to worse as Korean lock Youn Kwon Woo was sin-binned for a questionable tackle, allowing the Gulf to capitalize with a second try, this one to hulking centre Trent Eastgate who capped off a flowing move that saw the ball go through seven pairs of hands and 80 metres before being capped by Eastgate. The missed conversion put the Gulf ahead for the first time in the match 18-14. More importantly the man advantage sapped the remaining strength of Korea, whose players began to flag under the hot conditions in the second half.
Adding to their evident fatigue, the Koreans feverishly threw themselves at the Gulf defence, which managed to repel every attack, further frustrating the visitors. In the 72nd minute Love converted his third penalty of the night to edge the home team ahead by a converted try, 21-14. That score line would hold throughout the remaining eight minutes as the Koreans, winless in the tournament to date and facing the threat of relegation, threw everything they had at the Arabian Gulf.
The final moments of the match saw Korea mount attack after attack, moving the Arabian Gulf forwards from side to side in an effort to create gaps. The sustained possession was rewarded as wing Chae Jae Yong, (who has been one of the standouts of this year’s campaign since being brought into the side after the loss to Hong Kong), finished a simple backline move to touch down in the corner.
But reserve fly half Oh Yong Kwon could not convert and the Gulf capped a brave effort with a historic first ever victory against the Koreans and only their second win in the elite Top 5 competition of Asian rugby.
The win brought the Arabian Gulf’s HSBC A5N 2010 campaign to a close with two wins and two losses and ten points on the table, two behind Japan and Hong Kong. Korea remain in the relegation zone with one bonus point (for a loss within seven points) from three losses and will be desperate to salvage an all-important win and bonus point against Kazakhstan to avoid the unthinkable – relegation for a team that is traditionally one of Asian rugby’s superpowers. Kazakhstan is on 7 points from a win and two bonus points and are away to Japan in Tokyo today before travelling to Korea for next week’s clash. Table toppers Japan will host Hong Kong next week in the final week of the three-year, 33-match IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 Asian qualifiers.
From the elite levels of Asian rugby to the emerging nations, Jordan and Lebanon, the newest Associate member of the Asian Rugby Football Union as of December 2009, marked their first ever international test match today as a curtain raiser to the Arabian Gulf v Korea.
On its HSBC A5N debut, Lebanon surprised Jordan 27-8. Lebanon opened the scoring with first half tries to winger Wael Harb and prop Ziad El Murr. Lebanese captain and scrumhalf Karim Jammal added a conversion. Jordan replied through centre Nidal Ziyadat to bring the score to 12-5 Lebanon. Lebanon added two more tries through No 8 Hesham Husni Bey and fly half Raymond Asfour. Another conversion from Jammal brought the hafltime score to Lebanon 24, Jordan 5. The heat slowed down the pace in the second half with the teams only accounting for one penalty each with Jordan’s scoring coming from fly half Jamal Masri to bring the final tally to Lebanon 27, Jordan 8. Lebanon will be hoping to continue its impressive start to HSBC A5N rugby next year while Jordan are off to compete in the new Division IV competition next month alongside Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
IRB RWC 2011 Asian qualification process becomes clearer after Week 3 of HSBC Asian 5 Nations
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Japan & Hong Kong lead IRB RWC 2011 chase after Week 3 of HSBC A5N
[May 8 2010, Hong Kong]: An entertaining weekend of elite Asian rugby in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations (HSBC A5N) has helped clarify the qualification picture for IRB Rugby World Cup after an emphatic win over the Arabian Gulf by reigning champions Japan and a gritty victory by Hong Kong over nearest chaser Kazakhstan.
Japan made it two bonus-point wins from as many games in this year’s HSBC Asian Five Nations – and 10 from 10 in the three-year history of the tournament – when they beat the Arabian Gulf 60-5 in Tokyo. The victory puts John Kirwan’s team a step nearer being Asia’s automatic representative at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. But once again the Brave Blossoms had to work hard for the win.
Just as in South Korea last week, Japan started slowly, leading just 26-0 at the break. Centre Alisi Tupuailei opened the scoring in the 15th minute following a well-worked scissors move with flyhalf James Arlidge. Captain Takashi Kikutani stretched the lead seven minutes later before creating Japan’s third try for Arlidge in the 26th minute.
Kosuke Endo rounded off the half by crossing in the 39th minute even though Japan were a man down following the sin binning of Shinsuke Nakamura for repeated team infringements.
The hosts then wrapped up the game with five tries in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Kaoru Matsushita and new cap Ryo Kanazawa both rounded off flowing backline moves with Kanazawa touching down in just his second touch in test-match rugby and Matsushita adding his second as Japan went 48-0 up.
Kikutani and Tupuailei later added their second tries of the day but it was the Arabian Gulf who was to cap the scoring with Sean Hurley going over four minutes from full time, with Japan once again down to 14 men following a yellow card to Toshizumi Kitagawa.
“I couldn’t ask much more from the boys,” said Arabian Gulf captain Michael Cox-Hill. “We never gave up and proved that by scoring in the 76th minute. We can take a lot of credit for the way we played.”
Kirwan admitted his side had made a lot of mistakes, many of which were unforced.
“It wasn’t the performance we wanted,” he said. “We wanted to start better than last week, which we didn’t do. Our game plan was to play fast rugby and when we did we scored. But our ball retention was poor and that didn’t help us speed the game up. But we took a step toward understanding who we will take to the World Cup.”
Kirwan stressed that it was a young team playing today and that things could only get better.
“We haven’t hit our stride yet,” he said. “It’s nothing to get upset about but I wouldn’t like it to happen next week.”
That warning will ring ominously in the ears of Japan’s upcoming opponents Kazakhstan who come off a disappointing loss today to hosts Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Football Club.
Hong Kong grimly held on to score a narrow 19-15 victory over Kazakhstan to keep alive their hopes of finishing second and clinching the repechage World Cup play-off berth against Uruguay.
Two tries either side of halftime, the first by tighthead prop Nigel Hobler and the second from centre Simon Hempel saw Hong Kong scoot to a 19-9 lead early in the second half, to seemingly be on target for an easy win.
But Kazakhstan fullback Maxim Lifontov, who had knocked over two first-half penalties, kept his side in the game kicking three more penalties as the visitors clawed their way back to reduce the deficit to just four points in front of a capacity crowd at the Hong Kong Football Club.
Despite the victory, an air of disappointment hung over the Hong Kong camp as they failed to get a vital bonus point having scored less than four tries, and in turn conceded a bonus point to Kazakhstan for finishing within a seven-point margin of defeat.
“If anybody had told me at the start of this competition that I would be disappointed after beating South Korea and Kazakhstan, I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Hong Kong head coach Dai Rees.
Rees’ disappointment stems from the fact that Hong Kong, who have 12 points from three games, could still miss out on the runners-up slot in the tournament if Kazakhstan win one of their last two matches against Japan and South Korea, and claim a bonus point. If that happens, Hong Kong could miss out, unless they manage to grab a bonus point of their own against Japan in their final outing in Tokyo on May 22. It will be a tough ask.
“We are happy that we got the result today. A win is a win, but we are disappointed that it is slightly out of our hands now,” conceded Hong Kong skipper Simon Leung. “It is disappointing when you have to depend on others.”
Hong Kong will now have to hope that winless South Korea manage to pick their game up and defeat Kazakhstan when the two sides meet, also on May 22.
Hong Kong led from the outset and always seemed to be in control. Winger Alex McQueen knocked over two early penalties before Kazakhstan equalized through the prodigious boot of Lifontov who kicked over two penalties, the second a monster 50-metre effort.
Spilled passes saw Hong Kong fail to convert territory and possession into points and the only reward for all the hard work was another successful penalty from McQueen.
Just on halftime, prop Hobler danced his way through three tackles after Hong Kong had taken a quick tap penalty 10 metres from the goalline, to crash over for the first try of the game. McQueen failed with the conversion but Hong Kong led 14-6 at the break.
Lifontov missed a penalty soon after resumption, but made amends minutes later as Kazakhstan closed the gap to 14-9. However Hong Kong pushed ahead once more when Hempel was the first to get to a ball hacked through by fly-half Keith Robertson to score six minutes into the second half.
McQueen missed the conversion, but leading 19-9 Hong Kong would have felt confident of finishing off the game and grabbing a bonus point. But the litany of errors continued as the high humidity took a toll on both sides. Lifontov had two more chances, but could only convert one as Kazakhstan inched their way to within one score. However Hong Kong’s defence held for the 19-15 home win.
“It was very hot, we made too many mistakes,” said disappointed Kazakhstan captain Timur Mashurov. “We are not happy. Now we must beat South Korea.” That match will be held in Seoul on May 22.
As title sponsor of the Asian 5 Nations (A5N), HSBC is committed to the development of the game throughout Asia. HSBC aims to bring positive social change to different cultures and communities through its diverse rugby sponsorships across the world. HSBC Rugby invests in over 30 different countries from the very pinnacle of the elite game through to the development of emerging rugby countries through the Asian 5 Nations. Each of HSBC’s rugby sponsorships share one common aim of uniting people and cultures through the positive values of rugby union.
HSBC is also a long-term sponsor of the Penguins International Rugby Club, which is represented by 30 nations and has provided coaching sessions to local communities in 62 countries. In partnership with ARFU and the HSBC Penguins Coaching Academy, HSBC supported a series of rugby coaching clinics throughout Hong Kong in the lead up to the A5N tournament. The commitment to grassroots development is continuing throughout the duration of the HSBC A5N with Youth Rugby Festivals reaching thousands of youth in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal in the next few months.
Led by former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, the clinics will be supported by a team of HSBC Penguins and HSBC A5N coaches as well as team stars from several Asian nations. To date, the youth festivals have been held in Hong Kong, Dubai, Macau, Singapore and Nepal.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
International Touch Seoul (ITS) 2010 - 4th of September
International Touch Seoul (ITS) 2010 will be held on the 4th of September at the KMA (same location as last year). Keep a look out for further details in the coming weeks and on http://www.koreatouch.com/
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Korea 10s League Kicks Off in Seoul on Saturday
Korea 10s League Kicks Off in Seoul
The Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club will host the first round ofthe inaugural Korea 10s League rugby series. The opening tournament will be held at the Jamwon rugbypitch in Apgujeong, Seoul on May 8thfrom 10am until 6pm, featuring expatriate and Korean universityteams from throughout the peninsula.
The Korea 10s League is a four round series held in cities throughout Korea aimed at promoting anddeveloping full-contact rugby. Other tournaments are planned for Cheongju, Busan and Gumi later in the year.
The Seoul Survivors expect eight teams to converge on Jamwon this Saturday including squads fromKorea University and Jeollanam province.
10s rugby tournaments have been held in Korea before but this is the first time that a coordinated leaguehas been developed in order to provide rugby players with the opportunity for year-round competition against other competitive sides. 10-a-side rugby requires less player numbers and resources to run,maximizing the amount of teams and players, both foreign and Korean, that can participate in thetournaments.
Each individual tournament is a round-robin culminating in a playoff series. Points accumulatedthroughout the season will decide the winner of the series.
The Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club will host the first round ofthe inaugural Korea 10s League rugby series. The opening tournament will be held at the Jamwon rugbypitch in Apgujeong, Seoul on May 8thfrom 10am until 6pm, featuring expatriate and Korean universityteams from throughout the peninsula.
The Korea 10s League is a four round series held in cities throughout Korea aimed at promoting anddeveloping full-contact rugby. Other tournaments are planned for Cheongju, Busan and Gumi later in the year.
The Seoul Survivors expect eight teams to converge on Jamwon this Saturday including squads fromKorea University and Jeollanam province.
10s rugby tournaments have been held in Korea before but this is the first time that a coordinated leaguehas been developed in order to provide rugby players with the opportunity for year-round competition against other competitive sides. 10-a-side rugby requires less player numbers and resources to run,maximizing the amount of teams and players, both foreign and Korean, that can participate in thetournaments.
Each individual tournament is a round-robin culminating in a playoff series. Points accumulatedthroughout the season will decide the winner of the series.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Arabian Gulf keep a5n Asia Five Nations rugby tournament wide open!
Arabian Gulf claims first Top 5 victory, edges Hong Kong 16-9
[May 1 2010]: The Arabian Gulf claimed its first ever HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) victory with a 16-9 win over Hong Kong this evening at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club. James Love scored 11 points (3P, 2c) to take the tournament’s top scorer honours in week two, while scrumhalf Jonny MacDonald scored the game’s sole try. Hong Kong’s Keith Robertson accounted for all nine of the visitors’ points through three penalties.
The Arabian Gulf jumped out to a 13-3 lead at halftime courtesy of 8 first half points to Love, who plays his club rugby for Bahrain RFC and was basking in the affection of this evening’s 1800 spectators. Later, Jonny Macdonald snuck through for the only try of the game, with Love’s conversion giving the hosts a 10 nil lead. Hong Kong flyhalf Keith Robertson secured Hong Kong’s first points with a penalty to bring the score to 10-3 with only a minute left in the half.
The Arabian Gulf quickly closed the door on any potential momentum that Hong Kong could take from Robertson’s penalty through stifling defence. In the final minute of the half, Love slotted a second penalty to send the Gulf into halftime up 13-3.
Despite running agains play for large parts of the match, the Arabian Gulf defence held strong and they took their chances well. They could only muster three more points in a tense second half but it would be enough to seal a historic win for Arabian Gulf rugby.
Robertson added two penalties for Hong Kong to claw the game back within a converted try but the Arabian Gulf did enough to hold on for an historic victory to mark its promotion to the A5N Top 5 in 2010 after being relegated to Division I last season.
An ecstatic Arabian Gulf captain Michael Cox-Hill applauded his team saying, “It was a great effort from the boys. They could not have given any more than they did.”
Another great effort will be required by the Arabian Gulf as they travel away to Tokyo next week to open this year’s A5N action in Japan at the legendary Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium.
Japan opens its HSBC A5N account on the road today with a match against archrivals South Korea, who lost last week to Hong Kong 32-8 at the Hong Kong Football Club. Initially targeting this match as a must win, Hong Kong will look to right its Rugby World Cup 2011 qualification campaign with a titanic clash against Kazakhstan next weekend in Happy Valley.
[May 1 2010]: The Arabian Gulf claimed its first ever HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) victory with a 16-9 win over Hong Kong this evening at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club. James Love scored 11 points (3P, 2c) to take the tournament’s top scorer honours in week two, while scrumhalf Jonny MacDonald scored the game’s sole try. Hong Kong’s Keith Robertson accounted for all nine of the visitors’ points through three penalties.
The Arabian Gulf jumped out to a 13-3 lead at halftime courtesy of 8 first half points to Love, who plays his club rugby for Bahrain RFC and was basking in the affection of this evening’s 1800 spectators. Later, Jonny Macdonald snuck through for the only try of the game, with Love’s conversion giving the hosts a 10 nil lead. Hong Kong flyhalf Keith Robertson secured Hong Kong’s first points with a penalty to bring the score to 10-3 with only a minute left in the half.
The Arabian Gulf quickly closed the door on any potential momentum that Hong Kong could take from Robertson’s penalty through stifling defence. In the final minute of the half, Love slotted a second penalty to send the Gulf into halftime up 13-3.
Despite running agains play for large parts of the match, the Arabian Gulf defence held strong and they took their chances well. They could only muster three more points in a tense second half but it would be enough to seal a historic win for Arabian Gulf rugby.
Robertson added two penalties for Hong Kong to claw the game back within a converted try but the Arabian Gulf did enough to hold on for an historic victory to mark its promotion to the A5N Top 5 in 2010 after being relegated to Division I last season.
An ecstatic Arabian Gulf captain Michael Cox-Hill applauded his team saying, “It was a great effort from the boys. They could not have given any more than they did.”
Another great effort will be required by the Arabian Gulf as they travel away to Tokyo next week to open this year’s A5N action in Japan at the legendary Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium.
Japan opens its HSBC A5N account on the road today with a match against archrivals South Korea, who lost last week to Hong Kong 32-8 at the Hong Kong Football Club. Initially targeting this match as a must win, Hong Kong will look to right its Rugby World Cup 2011 qualification campaign with a titanic clash against Kazakhstan next weekend in Happy Valley.
Japan snuffs out Korea rugby hopes
Japan opened its HSBC Asian 5 Nations (HSBC A5N) campaign with an emphatic 71-13 win today over Korea. The victory was paced by a remarkable five-try effort from winger Kosuke Endo.
After Hong Kong’s opening round upset of Korea, the Hong Kong XV was itself upended by the Arabian Gulf 16-9 last night at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club in the other match of the weekend. It was the Arabian Gulf’s first ever Top 5 win. Add in Sri Lanka’s upset of Singapore in the Division I championships two weeks ago and the run of results in this year’s HSBC A5N has been solidly against the conventional wisdom. Until today in Kyungsang, South Korea that is, as Japan remained true to form as the dominant force in Asian rugby.
In a classic game of two halves, the two-time HSBC A5N champions Japan started slow as the Koreans came out with a ferocious intent that saw them push the Japanese to the limits of their defence early on. Unfortunately a slow start with the boot from Korean fly-half Yoon, Hee-Soo who missed two of three kickable penalties in the first half prevented the Koreans from generating any early momentum.
Despite its sputtering start, Japan did just enough to distance themselves over the course of the first half to take a 19-3 lead at halftime through tries to hooker Shota Horie, scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka and winger Endo. The ever-reliable Ryan Nicholas added two conversions in the first half, and would finish with 8 on the day.
Korea’s defence was characteristically strong early on but the side let themselves down through repeated infringements that saw the inevitable sin-binning – this time to Korean scrum-half Park, Wan-Yong in the 37th minute. The resulting man advantage to Japan put paid to Korea’s promising start. By the time Park re-entered the park early in the second half, Japan had extended its lead to 33-3 and would never look back.
In a classic game of two halves, Japan came out firing on all cylinders in the second stanza, paced by a remarkable four more tries by winger Kosuke Endo in the second half, doubling his career try total up to that point. Japan’s Yasunori Nagatomo scored in the 41st minute and from that point on it was virtually one-way traffic as Takashi Kikutani, Hitoshi Ono and Hiroki Yuhara all crossed over. Endo’s quartet in the second half stole the show with tries in the 58th, 68th, 71st and 80th minutes.
Korea managed a try by Chae Jae Young – who plays his rugby in Japan with Toshiba – and a conversion and penalty by Oh Youn Hyung, but the fact that the last Korean penalty came in the closing stages showed that they had run out of ideas.
With their three remaining games in Tokyo, Japan remains on course to be Asia’s automatic entry at next year’s IRB Rugby World Cup where they would be seeded in Pool A alongside the hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada. But they will need to improve on their opening 40 minutes if they are to fulfil coach John Kirwan’s hopes of winning at least two games next year in New Zealand.
“The first half was not to our level,” said Kirwan. “We need to work harder moving forward. But I will take it as a first game and tell the team to start from the second half.”
Japan now returns home for three matches at the legendary Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo against the Arabian Gulf, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.
Korea will regroup over a much needed bye week with more intensive preparation that sees a first training session tomorrow (Sunday). Korea is now under threat of relegation after both Hong Kong and the Arabian Gulf secured victories in the opening two weeks, although Hong Kong’s loss to the Gulf 16-9 on Friday has helped the Korean cause. Next up for Korea is a much improved Arabian Gulf in Dubai in two weeks before finishing with what promises to be a gangbuster versus Kazakhstan on May 22nd in Seoul. Next week sees one of the pivotal matches of the entire series as Hong Kong hosts last year’s HSBC A5N runners-up Kazakhstan (kick off 16.00 HKG time; GMT+8.00).
As title sponsor of the Asian 5 Nations (A5N), HSBC is committed to the development of the game throughout Asia. HSBC aims to bring positive social change to different cultures and communities through its diverse rugby sponsorships across the world. HSBC Rugby invests in over 30 different countries from the very pinnacle of the elite game through to the development of emerging rugby countries through the Asian 5 Nations. Each of HSBC’s rugby sponsorships share one common aim of uniting people and cultures through the positive values of rugby union.
HSBC is also a long-term sponsor of the Penguins International Rugby Club, which is represented by 30 nations and has provided coaching sessions to local communities in 62 countries. In partnership with ARFU and the HSBC Penguins Coaching Academy, HSBC supported a series of rugby coaching clinics throughout Hong Kong in the lead up to the A5N tournament. The commitment to grassroots development is continuing throughout the duration of the HSBC A5N with Youth Rugby Festivals reaching thousands of youth in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal in the next few months.
Led by former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, the clinics will be supported by a team of HSBC Penguins and HSBC A5N coaches as well as team stars from several Asian nations. To date, the youth festivals have been held in Hong Kong, Dubai, Macau, Singapore and Nepal. This weekend in Daegu, Korea the HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festival saw Frank Hadden and his coaching team engaging high school students from two of Korea’s elite Rugby secondary schools based in Daegu. Frank and his team of A5N coaches also conducted a coach the coaches workshop for some of the leading schools and club coaches in Korea. Next week the HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festivals will return to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong v Kazakhstan match before heading off to Dubai for some desert rugby ahead of the Arabian Gulf v Korea match.
After Hong Kong’s opening round upset of Korea, the Hong Kong XV was itself upended by the Arabian Gulf 16-9 last night at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club in the other match of the weekend. It was the Arabian Gulf’s first ever Top 5 win. Add in Sri Lanka’s upset of Singapore in the Division I championships two weeks ago and the run of results in this year’s HSBC A5N has been solidly against the conventional wisdom. Until today in Kyungsang, South Korea that is, as Japan remained true to form as the dominant force in Asian rugby.
In a classic game of two halves, the two-time HSBC A5N champions Japan started slow as the Koreans came out with a ferocious intent that saw them push the Japanese to the limits of their defence early on. Unfortunately a slow start with the boot from Korean fly-half Yoon, Hee-Soo who missed two of three kickable penalties in the first half prevented the Koreans from generating any early momentum.
Despite its sputtering start, Japan did just enough to distance themselves over the course of the first half to take a 19-3 lead at halftime through tries to hooker Shota Horie, scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka and winger Endo. The ever-reliable Ryan Nicholas added two conversions in the first half, and would finish with 8 on the day.
Korea’s defence was characteristically strong early on but the side let themselves down through repeated infringements that saw the inevitable sin-binning – this time to Korean scrum-half Park, Wan-Yong in the 37th minute. The resulting man advantage to Japan put paid to Korea’s promising start. By the time Park re-entered the park early in the second half, Japan had extended its lead to 33-3 and would never look back.
In a classic game of two halves, Japan came out firing on all cylinders in the second stanza, paced by a remarkable four more tries by winger Kosuke Endo in the second half, doubling his career try total up to that point. Japan’s Yasunori Nagatomo scored in the 41st minute and from that point on it was virtually one-way traffic as Takashi Kikutani, Hitoshi Ono and Hiroki Yuhara all crossed over. Endo’s quartet in the second half stole the show with tries in the 58th, 68th, 71st and 80th minutes.
Korea managed a try by Chae Jae Young – who plays his rugby in Japan with Toshiba – and a conversion and penalty by Oh Youn Hyung, but the fact that the last Korean penalty came in the closing stages showed that they had run out of ideas.
With their three remaining games in Tokyo, Japan remains on course to be Asia’s automatic entry at next year’s IRB Rugby World Cup where they would be seeded in Pool A alongside the hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada. But they will need to improve on their opening 40 minutes if they are to fulfil coach John Kirwan’s hopes of winning at least two games next year in New Zealand.
“The first half was not to our level,” said Kirwan. “We need to work harder moving forward. But I will take it as a first game and tell the team to start from the second half.”
Japan now returns home for three matches at the legendary Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo against the Arabian Gulf, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.
Korea will regroup over a much needed bye week with more intensive preparation that sees a first training session tomorrow (Sunday). Korea is now under threat of relegation after both Hong Kong and the Arabian Gulf secured victories in the opening two weeks, although Hong Kong’s loss to the Gulf 16-9 on Friday has helped the Korean cause. Next up for Korea is a much improved Arabian Gulf in Dubai in two weeks before finishing with what promises to be a gangbuster versus Kazakhstan on May 22nd in Seoul. Next week sees one of the pivotal matches of the entire series as Hong Kong hosts last year’s HSBC A5N runners-up Kazakhstan (kick off 16.00 HKG time; GMT+8.00).
As title sponsor of the Asian 5 Nations (A5N), HSBC is committed to the development of the game throughout Asia. HSBC aims to bring positive social change to different cultures and communities through its diverse rugby sponsorships across the world. HSBC Rugby invests in over 30 different countries from the very pinnacle of the elite game through to the development of emerging rugby countries through the Asian 5 Nations. Each of HSBC’s rugby sponsorships share one common aim of uniting people and cultures through the positive values of rugby union.
HSBC is also a long-term sponsor of the Penguins International Rugby Club, which is represented by 30 nations and has provided coaching sessions to local communities in 62 countries. In partnership with ARFU and the HSBC Penguins Coaching Academy, HSBC supported a series of rugby coaching clinics throughout Hong Kong in the lead up to the A5N tournament. The commitment to grassroots development is continuing throughout the duration of the HSBC A5N with Youth Rugby Festivals reaching thousands of youth in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal in the next few months.
Led by former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, the clinics will be supported by a team of HSBC Penguins and HSBC A5N coaches as well as team stars from several Asian nations. To date, the youth festivals have been held in Hong Kong, Dubai, Macau, Singapore and Nepal. This weekend in Daegu, Korea the HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festival saw Frank Hadden and his coaching team engaging high school students from two of Korea’s elite Rugby secondary schools based in Daegu. Frank and his team of A5N coaches also conducted a coach the coaches workshop for some of the leading schools and club coaches in Korea. Next week the HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festivals will return to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong v Kazakhstan match before heading off to Dubai for some desert rugby ahead of the Arabian Gulf v Korea match.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Live rugby today Korea v Japan in Daegu
Next stage of the asia5n rugby for Korea which can be seen live and in person in Daegu or on TV (Star Sports, see earlier postings).
If you live around Gumi, hook up with Waegook Cook...details below....
The schedule for the bus for Daegu is:9:15 Pick the team up at Cook and take us to the field.10:00 Return to the Cook and pick up any spectators who didn't want to hang out at the field while we set up etc... These spectators will miss our first game against the Busan- Ilsan team,Take the Seoul Sisters to have a shower, if they want, after their game.(Derrick joining the bath session)12:10 Pick up the spectators who want to go to Daegu but didn't watch our games12:20 Pick up the teams and spectators from the field and then go straight to Daegu.After the Korea vs Japan Game around 16:00 we will head back to Gumi for a BBQ and fun night at Waegook Cook
If you live around Gumi, hook up with Waegook Cook...details below....
The schedule for the bus for Daegu is:9:15 Pick the team up at Cook and take us to the field.10:00 Return to the Cook and pick up any spectators who didn't want to hang out at the field while we set up etc... These spectators will miss our first game against the Busan- Ilsan team,Take the Seoul Sisters to have a shower, if they want, after their game.(Derrick joining the bath session)12:10 Pick up the spectators who want to go to Daegu but didn't watch our games12:20 Pick up the teams and spectators from the field and then go straight to Daegu.After the Korea vs Japan Game around 16:00 we will head back to Gumi for a BBQ and fun night at Waegook Cook
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Korea v Japan Match Venue Details
Venue: Gyeongsan Sports Complex (Rugby Field)
KO Time: 2PM
How to get there (from Seoul):
It's a small city next to Daegu so...
1) Option 1: KTX from Seoul Station to East Daegu Station (1 hour and 40 minutes)- Take
a taxi to Gyeongsan Sports Park (15-25 min, 10 - 12,000won)
2) Option 2: Saemaul or Mugunghwa train from Seoul to Gyeongsan Station (3 hours 40 minutes) - Take a taxi to Gyeongsan Sports Park (less than 10 minutes)
3) Option 3: KTX from Seoul Station to East Daegu Station (1 hour and 40 minutes)- Transfer to Saemaul or Mugunghwa train to Gyeongsan Station (10 minutes, 4,700won)- Take a taxi to Gyeongsan Sports Park (less than 10 minutes)
Show a taxi driver this map: 경산생활체육공원 럭비 경기장
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Korea rugby live on TV
Live rugby on TV again next weekend when Korea take on Japan at home. Once again Star Sports www.espnstar.com will televise the match live but why not check it out live....details of the location, kick off time etc will be posted soon but the match will take place on saturday 1st May in Korea. Our boys will need all the support they can get!!
Live rugby on TV in Korea....wow, things are improving...
Live rugby on TV in Korea....wow, things are improving...
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Korea rugby fall at first hurdle
Korea rugby fall at first hurdle
Korea’s challenge for the Asia Five Nations and for a place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup is all over almost before it started. Having inexplicably selected a “young side to build for the future”, the Korean team started brightly and eased into an 8-0 lead, mainly by moving the ball wide.
They continued with this tactic for much of the first half and could have been 20 points ahead when just before the half time whistle, the free flowing play caught up with them as HK made most of the space from turnover ball and struck back. Until then, Korea had looked comfortable, with their big (but not tall) pack making heavy hits and clearing up well at the breakdown.
However, with the score coming just before half time and added to with a penalty by the HK fly half who had been kicking poorly up until then), Korea’s confidence seemed to drop and the second half was very disappointing. Hong Kong seemed the much stronger, a complete reversal of fortunes, and the open play suited them better. Quite simply, as soon as it opened up, Korea could not cope. Hong Kong emerged as winners with a final score line of 32-8.
For “highlights” visit http://www.espnstar.com/tv-listings/region1/day1/ and look for videos on the right side of the screen…
Korea’s challenge for the Asia Five Nations and for a place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup is all over almost before it started. Having inexplicably selected a “young side to build for the future”, the Korean team started brightly and eased into an 8-0 lead, mainly by moving the ball wide.
They continued with this tactic for much of the first half and could have been 20 points ahead when just before the half time whistle, the free flowing play caught up with them as HK made most of the space from turnover ball and struck back. Until then, Korea had looked comfortable, with their big (but not tall) pack making heavy hits and clearing up well at the breakdown.
However, with the score coming just before half time and added to with a penalty by the HK fly half who had been kicking poorly up until then), Korea’s confidence seemed to drop and the second half was very disappointing. Hong Kong seemed the much stronger, a complete reversal of fortunes, and the open play suited them better. Quite simply, as soon as it opened up, Korea could not cope. Hong Kong emerged as winners with a final score line of 32-8.
For “highlights” visit http://www.espnstar.com/tv-listings/region1/day1/ and look for videos on the right side of the screen…
Live a5n Rugby on Star Sports- Saturday 5pm
@ 5pm (Korea time) 4pm (Hong Kong time)
Live
HSBC Asian Five Nations Series 2010Match: Hong Kong vs. South Korea
One Hour Highlights
STAR Sports SEA, SEA NPL, Malaysia
SAT
05/07/2010
18:00:00 (HKT)
1:00:00
Original
HSBC Asian Five Nations Series 2010 (Highlights)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Korea Rugby campaign kicks off in Asia 5 Nations
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HSBC ASIAN FIVE NATIONS Top 5 COMPETITION KICKS OFF
Final stage of IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 begins in Hong Kong & Almaty
[Hong Kong, 23 April 2010]: Asia’s elite rugby competition, the 2010 HSBC Asian 5 Nations (HSBC A5N) Top 5 tournament will kick off tomorrow with matches between Hong Kong and South Korea (GMT +8.00) and Kazakhstan and Arabian Gulf (GMT +6.00). Defending champions Japan are on a bye in week 1.
The excitement is already building in Hong Kong where a pre-match press conference was held today with the coaches and captains of Hong Kong (Dai Rees and Simon Leung respectively) and South Korea (Kim Myoung Joo and flanker Kim Jeong Min respectively) at the Hong Kong Football Club. Mark McCombe, CEO Hong Kong of HSBC and Trevor Gregory, Vice President of the Asian Rugby Football Union were also in attendance.
After 22 Rugby World Cup qualification matches played since 2008, it comes down to the 10 matches of this year’s HSBC A5N Top 5 to determine Asia’s sole direct entry to Rugby World Cup 2011. The Top 5 winner will enter Pool A as Asia 1 alongside New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada. The runners-up will go through a repêchage process that involves an initial Asia-Americas playoff match against Uruguay in July 2010. This match will be played in either Asia or Uruguay depending on which team has the higher IRB World Ranking at the time of qualification. Japan is the 13th ranked team in world rugby while Uruguay is ranked 21st. Korea, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong are 24th, 26th and 39th respectively.
The winner of the Asia-Americas match will enter a home and away series versus the winners of the Europe-Africa (Tunisia) playoff series. That winner will be the bottom seed in Pool B alongside Argentina, England, Scotland and Europe 2. Asia has been represented at every Rugby World Cup since 1987, with Japan being the only team so far to have qualified for the rugby world’s elite competition. The hunt for these two exclusive spots at rugby’s world championship kicks off tomorrow in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong will take inspiration from last year’s performance against Korea in Seoul. Trailing 31-3 at half-time, Hong Kong looked well beaten but fought back to come within an inch of pulling off a miraculous victory before losing 36-34. Hong Kong coach Dai Rees will use that tremendous feat to motivate his side in a game he has already labelled a “must-win”.
“This will be a massive game for us. We have to target this as a must-win game if we are to have any chances of finishing in the top two and keep alive our World Cup hopes,” Rees said.
“To be realistic, Japan is the outright favourites to win the championship and grab the Asian berth at the World Cup,” added Rees. “Our aim will be to finish second and make it through to the repêchage.”
But first-up will be the tough Koreans, a team which Hong Kong has beaten only twice in the last seven meetings. South Korea will field a mix of old and new players, and will be a formidable threat, especially if they are given a head start as was the case last year when they stormed to a 24-0 lead in the first 17 minutes of play with outstanding No 8 Han Kun-kyu leading the charge with a brace of tries.
Han is back again as is excellent second-row forward You Young-nam, who was named the best player in his position last year in Japan’s professional Top League - but there are many new faces in the 22-man squad.
“We have changed half the squad from last year,” said coach Kim Myoung Joo. “They might be new faces but I believe they have the potential to win any match and we are giving them the opportunity. Our aim is to win this tournament. Japan [Korea’s opponents in Daegu, Korea next weekend] will be difficult opponents but we will do our best.”
Korea will not be looking past Hong Kong after last year’s thriller, nor can they afford to overlook the challenge from Kazakhstan. After a stirring victory in last year’s A5N clash in Almaty where Kazakhstan beat Korea 30-27, the Nomads claimed second spot in Asian rugby for the first time in the 42-year history of the Asian Rugby Football Union.
Kazakhstan will be intent on resuming where they left off and have been spending the long winter nights in Almaty improving their strength and conditioning levels – a fact that will not set their competitor’s minds at ease as the Kazakhs are already one of the most physically impressive teams in Asian rugby. The Nomads return primarily the same side that was so successful in 2009 and are intent on capturing the repêchage spot behind the inspirational leadership of no. 8 Timur Mashurov who is fully fit after being plagued by knee injuries in recent seasons and towering flanker Anton “the horse” Rudoy. Full back Maxim Lifontov returns as well looking to add to his impressive points tally of the past few seasons (Lifontov was the tournament’s top points scorer in 2008).
Kazakhstan opens its account against the Arabian Gulf on their return to the Top 5 as Division I champions in 2009. The Arabian Gulf XV have completed an intensive training period with recent matches against Tunisia and the Kandy Sports Club from Sri Lanka, most of whose players made up the successful Sri Lanka XV that won last week’s Division I in Singapore to become the newest side to experience Top 5 rugby in 2011.
The game plan for the Arabian Gulf will be tested from the outset in Almaty as Kiwi coach Bruce Birtwhistle has targeted his forward pack as one of the strengths of Gulf rugby.
“Primarily our key players will be up front and defence is a key to our campaign. It is important that we meet teams head on in the set pieces and breakdowns to provide sufficient ball for our halfback pairing of Jonny MacDonald (born in the UAE and studying in Cardiff University) and former Wales schoolboy and Gloucester Academy player Duncan Murray.”
With this being the last hurrah for the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union before ceding to individual unions in 2011, Coach Birtwhistle is setting the team’s sights high.
“Qualification for the Rugby World Cup is our ultimate aim and all of our preparation is focused on achieving that goal, starting this weekend against Kazakhstan. It is a big ask but with a new squad and the confidence gained from last year’s Division I victory we feel it is a realistic aim.”
With all of the Top 5 teams eyeing Rugby World Cup qualification and the reigning champions Japan waiting in the wings the action over the next five weeks of Asian rugby pitches promises to be the most exciting in the short history of the HSBC A5N.
Commensurate with this excitement is the fact that the tournament is setting new records in its TV package. This year the Tournament will be seen in 90 territories worldwide with veteran rugby broadcasters STAR Sports, Eurosport Asia, J-Sports (Japan) and Sky Networks (New Zealand) all confirmed to take the Top 5 matches and one-hour series highlights in 2010. The HSBC A5N will also be reaching millions of new fans with Zee Sports India, Starhub Singapore and Al Jazeera (pan-Middle East) all live broadcasting Asian XVs rugby for the first time in 2010. The television package in place for the A5N in 2010 would not be possible without the commitment and support of HSBC, the title sponsor of the A5N.
Mark McCombe, CEO Hong Kong, HSBC, said, “HSBC aims to support different cultures and communities through its diverse rugby sponsorships across the world. HSBC Rugby invests in over 30 different countries from the very pinnacle of the elite game through to the development of emerging rugby countries through the A5N. Each of HSBC’s rugby sponsorships share one common aim of uniting people and cultures through the positive values of rugby union.”
As title sponsor of the A5N, HSBC is committed to the development of the game throughout Asia. HSBC is also a long-term sponsor of the Penguins International Rugby Club, which is represented by 30 nations and has provided coaching sessions to local communities in 62 countries. In partnership with Asian Rugby Football Union and the HSBC Penguins Coaching Academy, HSBC supported a series of rugby coaching clinics throughout Hong Kong in the lead up to the A5N tournament. The commitment to grassroots development will continue throughout the duration of the HSBC A5N with Youth Rugby Festivals reaching over thousands of youth in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal in the next few months.
Led by former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, the clinics will be supported by a team of HSBC Penguins and HSBC A5N coaches as well as team stars from several Asian nations. To date, the youth festivals have been held in Hong Kong, Dubai, Macau, Nepal and Singapore. This weekend, the HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festival will see Frank Hadden and his coaching team engaging kids from Hong Kong’s Society for the Protection of Children as well as a mini rugby tournament involving six of Hong Kong’s 17 mini rugby clubs at U11 level.
Also today, HSBC held a special drop kick competition for eight student rugby players from the U16 Schools league with the winner winning a trip for the player and a parent enjoying a paid trip to Tokyo to watch the Japan v Hong Kong match on 22 May 2010.
“This will be a massive game for us. We have to target this as a must-win game if we are to have any chances of finishing in the top two and keep alive our World Cup hopes,” Rees said.
“To be realistic, Japan is the outright favourites to win the championship and grab the Asian berth at the World Cup,” added Rees. “Our aim will be to finish second and make it through to the repêchage.”
But first-up will be the tough Koreans, a team which Hong Kong has beaten only twice in the last seven meetings. South Korea will field a mix of old and new players, and will be a formidable threat, especially if they are given a head start as was the case last year when they stormed to a 24-0 lead in the first 17 minutes of play with outstanding No 8 Han Kun-kyu leading the charge with a brace of tries.
Han is back again as is excellent second-row forward You Young-nam, who was named the best player in his position last year in Japan’s professional Top League - but there are many new faces in the 22-man squad.
“We have changed half the squad from last year,” said coach Kim Myoung Joo. “They might be new faces but I believe they have the potential to win any match and we are giving them the opportunity. Our aim is to win this tournament. Japan [Korea’s opponents in Daegu, Korea next weekend] will be difficult opponents but we will do our best.”
Korea will not be looking past Hong Kong after last year’s thriller, nor can they afford to overlook the challenge from Kazakhstan. After a stirring victory in last year’s A5N clash in Almaty where Kazakhstan beat Korea 30-27, the Nomads claimed second spot in Asian rugby for the first time in the 42-year history of the Asian Rugby Football Union.
Kazakhstan will be intent on resuming where they left off and have been spending the long winter nights in Almaty improving their strength and conditioning levels – a fact that will not set their competitor’s minds at ease as the Kazakhs are already one of the most physically impressive teams in Asian rugby. The Nomads return primarily the same side that was so successful in 2009 and are intent on capturing the repêchage spot behind the inspirational leadership of no. 8 Timur Mashurov who is fully fit after being plagued by knee injuries in recent seasons and towering flanker Anton “the horse” Rudoy. Full back Maxim Lifontov returns as well looking to add to his impressive points tally of the past few seasons (Lifontov was the tournament’s top points scorer in 2008).
Kazakhstan opens its account against the Arabian Gulf on their return to the Top 5 as Division I champions in 2009. The Arabian Gulf XV have completed an intensive training period with recent matches against Tunisia and the Kandy Sports Club from Sri Lanka, most of whose players made up the successful Sri Lanka XV that won last week’s Division I in Singapore to become the newest side to experience Top 5 rugby in 2011.
The game plan for the Arabian Gulf will be tested from the outset in Almaty as Kiwi coach Bruce Birtwhistle has targeted his forward pack as one of the strengths of Gulf rugby.
“Primarily our key players will be up front and defence is a key to our campaign. It is important that we meet teams head on in the set pieces and breakdowns to provide sufficient ball for our halfback pairing of Jonny MacDonald (born in the UAE and studying in Cardiff University) and former Wales schoolboy and Gloucester Academy player Duncan Murray.”
With this being the last hurrah for the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union before ceding to individual unions in 2011, Coach Birtwhistle is setting the team’s sights high.
“Qualification for the Rugby World Cup is our ultimate aim and all of our preparation is focused on achieving that goal, starting this weekend against Kazakhstan. It is a big ask but with a new squad and the confidence gained from last year’s Division I victory we feel it is a realistic aim.”
With all of the Top 5 teams eyeing Rugby World Cup qualification and the reigning champions Japan waiting in the wings the action over the next five weeks of Asian rugby pitches promises to be the most exciting in the short history of the HSBC A5N.
Commensurate with this excitement is the fact that the tournament is setting new records in its TV package. This year the Tournament will be seen in 90 territories worldwide with veteran rugby broadcasters STAR Sports, Eurosport Asia, J-Sports (Japan) and Sky Networks (New Zealand) all confirmed to take the Top 5 matches and one-hour series highlights in 2010. The HSBC A5N will also be reaching millions of new fans with Zee Sports India, Starhub Singapore and Al Jazeera (pan-Middle East) all live broadcasting Asian XVs rugby for the first time in 2010. The television package in place for the A5N in 2010 would not be possible without the commitment and support of HSBC, the title sponsor of the A5N.
Mark McCombe, CEO Hong Kong, HSBC, said, “HSBC aims to support different cultures and communities through its diverse rugby sponsorships across the world. HSBC Rugby invests in over 30 different countries from the very pinnacle of the elite game through to the development of emerging rugby countries through the A5N. Each of HSBC’s rugby sponsorships share one common aim of uniting people and cultures through the positive values of rugby union.”
As title sponsor of the A5N, HSBC is committed to the development of the game throughout Asia. HSBC is also a long-term sponsor of the Penguins International Rugby Club, which is represented by 30 nations and has provided coaching sessions to local communities in 62 countries. In partnership with Asian Rugby Football Union and the HSBC Penguins Coaching Academy, HSBC supported a series of rugby coaching clinics throughout Hong Kong in the lead up to the A5N tournament. The commitment to grassroots development will continue throughout the duration of the HSBC A5N with Youth Rugby Festivals reaching over thousands of youth in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal in the next few months.
Led by former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, the clinics will be supported by a team of HSBC Penguins and HSBC A5N coaches as well as team stars from several Asian nations. To date, the youth festivals have been held in Hong Kong, Dubai, Macau, Nepal and Singapore. This weekend, the HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festival will see Frank Hadden and his coaching team engaging kids from Hong Kong’s Society for the Protection of Children as well as a mini rugby tournament involving six of Hong Kong’s 17 mini rugby clubs at U11 level.
Also today, HSBC held a special drop kick competition for eight student rugby players from the U16 Schools league with the winner winning a trip for the player and a parent enjoying a paid trip to Tokyo to watch the Japan v Hong Kong match on 22 May 2010.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Women's rugby in Korea.....
Seems like the women's rugby scene in Asia is getting stronger, at least amongst expat teams. Seoul Sisters and Shaghai are swapping visits next month as each stages topurnaments. More news on where and when and who will, hopefully, be posted soon!
Message from SS Killer Bs vs. Cheongju Knights
Subject: Thanks for your support.
Ladies and gents,
On behalf of the Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club, I'd like to thank all the players from the SS Killer Bs and the Cheongju Knights, the supporters, the coaches and the ref. The sun didn't turn up as expected but the players certainly did providing a smorgasbord of rugby with some inventive attacking movements and bone-crunching defence.
The end score was 27-7 to the Killer Bs but more importantly we have solidified our links with another expatriate team ensuring more games and opportunities for all.
Thanks again for your valued support and we look forward to seeing more of you at our games and other events as the season progresses.
Regards,
The Survivors
Ladies and gents,
On behalf of the Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club, I'd like to thank all the players from the SS Killer Bs and the Cheongju Knights, the supporters, the coaches and the ref. The sun didn't turn up as expected but the players certainly did providing a smorgasbord of rugby with some inventive attacking movements and bone-crunching defence.
The end score was 27-7 to the Killer Bs but more importantly we have solidified our links with another expatriate team ensuring more games and opportunities for all.
Thanks again for your valued support and we look forward to seeing more of you at our games and other events as the season progresses.
Regards,
The Survivors
Saturday, April 17, 2010
New competition for Korea rugby in a5n; Sri Lanka!!
Sri Lanka is Asia’s newest Top 5 team after winning HSBC A5N DI Final
[Singapore, April 17 2010]: Sri Lanka has climbed close to the top of Asian rugby’s totem pole after beating Singapore 23-16 in a thrilling final of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division I tournament played. In the 3rd/4th place play-off, Malaysia achieved its primary objective by retaining its Division I status after winning the relegation match against a young Chinese Taipei XV, 35-3.
After being pushed to the limit against Malaysia in Wednesday’s Semi Final, the hosts and top seeds Singapore could not withstand a second charge from Sri Lanka. The visitors turned in a comprehensive performance in wet and humid conditions at Singapore’s Yio Chu Kang stadium to emerge as Division I champions for the first time in three years. Sri Lanka will now be promoted to the elite Top 5 competition in Asian rugby starting in 2011.
Singapore never looked entirely comfortable this evening, particularly in the back three as a wet ball and clever kicking from Sri Lanka helped keep the hosts on the back foot and negated the superior size of Singapore’s forward pack. Matters turned for the worse for Singapore in the 20th minute as inspirational captain Matt “Rhino” Ryan limped off with an injury further depleting the team of leadership after their first choice captain Jonathon Lee was sidelined in a trial match in Darwin two weeks ago.
From the earliest moments of the match, Sri Lanka’s kicking strategy and ability to involve its speed and superior handling out wide had the Singaporeans under pressure. The home side still managed to get out to a 6-nil lead behind Tom Burns who had another strong match from the stand-off spot. Burns nailed two penalties in the first quarter to stake his side to an early lead as they capitalized on some crucial errors from the Sri Lankans. Among those committing the errors was eventual man of the match scrumhalf Roshan Weeraratne who was sin-binned in just the sixth minute.
Burns calmly converted that penalty and made full use of the man advantage for ten minutes to score 6 early points on the way to a 12-point day from four penalties. Sri Lanka replied in the 19th minute with a successful penalty from fullback Saliya Kumara before Roshan Weeraratne made amends for his sin-binning by knocking over a crucial drop goal (the only one of the tournament) to level the sides at 6-all.
Sri Lanka struck first after the halftime interval with a second penalty from Kumara edging them ahead 9-6 in the 43rd minute. Five minutes later, Weeraratne again popped up, this time finishing off a great roving forward movement to touch down in the corner for the first try of the game, pushing Sri Lanka ahead 16-6 after Kumara’s conversion.
Full credit to Singapore, as the team finally started to find its feet in the second half exerting periods of pressure and enjoying sustained possession for the first time. The reward was a beautiful break away movement by Singapore’s backs which was capped off by winger Desmond Wee who took the ball with work left to be done and managed to tiptoe down the sideline for the home team’s only try of the day and most importantly to get back to within striking distance at 13-16.
Sri Lanka seemed on the verge of fading as it conceded another penalty this time from 40m which was beautifully converted by Burns despite the baying of a very strong and loud contingent of Sri Lankan fans in the stadium. At 16-all with 20 minutes on the clock the action seemed a reprise of Singapore’s earlier match against the Malaysians where Singapore found just enough to keep their opposition out of the win column. But this time it was not to be for the Rugby Lions as the Sri Lankans simply refused to lose.
The two teams traded possession for the final moments as both sets of partisan fans in the crowd of nearly 2,000 ratcheted up the volume and fervour on the sidelines. With overtime looming rapidly on the horizon, the Sri Lankans broke through into scoring position after moving Singapore around the park with some cagey positional kicking. On the last play of regulation time, the Sri Lankans crashed through a tiring Singapore defence in a straightforward movement that saw centre Chamara Vithanage charge over in the corner for a try that broke the hearts of the home team.
Sri Lanka now becomes the 7th team to take part in the elite Top 5 competition since the inception of the HSBC A5N in 2008. The Sri Lankans will have a year to prepare for this ultimate test of continental rugby as promotion will take effect in 2011. The 2010 Top 5 features Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Hong Kong and the Arabian Gulf (who replaced Singapore as the promoted team from the 2009 Division I) and kicks off next weekend (April 24) with matches in Hong Kong (v. Korea) and Kazakhstan (v. Arabian Gulf). At stake in 2010 is Asia’s sole direct entry to the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. The runners-up in the Top 5 competition will play an inter-continental repechage with the first test against Uruguay in July.
In today’s 3rd/4th place play-off, the Malaysians, who were narrowly defeated by Singapore 22-20 in the semi finals, achieved their ultimate objective beating Chinese Taipei 35-8. The win not only sees Malaysia take 3rd place in the tournament but also ensures that they avoid relegation. Chinese Taipei will be relegated to Division II in 2011 and replaced by the winners of the 2010 Division II championship in early June in New Delhi at the site of the Commonwealth Games sevens competition. That tournament features top seeds Thailand, China, India and Philippines.
After blooding 12 new caps in the squad of 24 in Wednesday’s semi-final against Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei put in a much improved performance today, particularly defensively as they managed to hold Malaysia’s powerful backline to a respectable 35 points. Malaysia fielded seven IRB eligible Fijians in their squad today including the entire backline outside of the fly-half. The result was a brace of tries to winger Nacani Seniu and centre Timoci Nacokula as well as another from Isoa Turuva at fullback. Chinese Taipei answered through a penalty converted by fly half Lu Wei Fan and a try from flanker Chen Kuo Lun.
This afternoon also witnessed another A5N milestone in the first ever women’s test match played as a curtain-raiser to an A5N event with Singapore hosting their Malaysian counterparts. An entertaining match that saw Singapore take an early lead into halftime (5-0) but then concede two quick tries to Malaysia in the second half, had to be abandoned due to a lightning storm. Under the tournament’s abandonment procedure, the match score stands as it was in the second half, giving Malaysia a 10-5 win.
Earlier in the day, HSBC A5N coach and former Scotland coach Frank Hadden conducted a special clinic for children of local HSBC staff at the venue. It was the last activity in three days of HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festivals held at Yio Chu Kang and the storied Padang rugby ground in Singapore’s Central Business District.
HSBC aims to bring positive social change to different cultures and communities through its diverse rugby sponsorships across the world. As title sponsor of the Asian 5 Nations (A5N), HSBC is committed to the development of the game throughout Asia. This year as part of the Asian 5 Nations, HSBC and the Asian Rugby Football Union are hosting a series of HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festivals. The commitment to grassroots development will continue throughout the duration of the tournament with HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festivals reaching over thousands of youth in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal in the next few months.
ends
For more information about the HSBC A5N Series and the HSBC A5N rugby development programme throughout Asia please contact Sean Moore: sean.moore@elitestep.com.
For more information on HSBC’s support to the A5N and Rugby in Asia Pacific please contact Ophelia.quach@hsbc.com.hk
For more information about the HSBC Penguins contact Sally Price: sally.price@fasttrackagency.com
For more information on HSBC’s rugby commitments throughout the world visit http://www.rugby.hsbc.com/
Standard Chartered sponsorship of Korean rugby pays off
Standard Chartered started its sponsorship of Korean rugby about a year ago and the coverage they have received is impressive, certainly making this a very good investment for the sponsors and for the Korea Rugby Union. I hope the funds have been used wisely and with long lasting impact on the development of Korean Rugby. If so, then the KRU will likely find more sponsorship easier to obtain!!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
SS Killer Bs vs. Cheongju Knights
Subject: SS Killer Bs Line-UpLadies and Gents,
We've got a smashing day of rugby ahead this Saturday. The forecast is for a balmy 14 degrees celsius with clear skies overhead. So if you're sitting on the fence, get off it and head to our prime riverside location to watch some great expat rugby here in Korea.
As most of you know the SS Killer Bs is the official Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club second squad. Be that as it may, everyone in this team will be pushing for 1st team spots so you can expect to see a lot of quality rugby from players who have put their heart and soul into training for this match-up.
This will be your team for the day:
1 Alan Nuusila SAM
2 Beau Spencer USA
3 Jordan Smigelsky (c) CAN
4 Paul Mancktelow ENG
5 Taylor Whitmer USA
6 Kenneth Park USA
7 Manasa Tuilau FIJ
8 Steve Ko NZL
9 Jono O'Sullivan NZL
10 Nicholas Goodman NZL
11 Ibrahim Zylstra CAN
12 Mona Tumamao SAM
13 Ben Dover NZL
14 Philip Guerrero USA
15 Hikaru Tamoto JAP
16 Ken Wilson NZL
17 Matt Butler USA
18 Newton Thompson NZL
19 Jin Lee KOR
20 Steve Moriarty USA
21 Zac Worthen USA
22 Sly Kim KOR
Referee: Johan Meyer RSA
Coaches: Roddy Bancroft, Dan Grover, Jono O'Sullivan
Manager: Kurt Taogaga
Mascot: Aidan Bancroft
The side will be captained by Canadian stalwart Jordan Smigelsky who will be leading a hefty pack including man-mountain Alan Nuusila and newbie Taylor Whitmer against the Knights forwards.
The hinge of the team is an all-Kiwi affair with new Survivor Steve Ko coming off the back and linking up with Jono O'Sullivan at halfback. Player/coach O'Sullivan will be shovelling the ball to Nelson's very own Nick Goodman who holds the key to unlocking the Killer Bs powerful midfield.
Out wide, North American flair takes form in Philip Guerrero and Ib Zylstra who will look to put forward good performances and cement a spot in the As. They will be backed up by silky Japanese import Hikaru Tamoto who comes in at fullback.
The Knights are coming off the back of an impressive 17-10 win over the Jeonnam Aliens so let's get down and support expat rugby in Korea. See you at Fortress Jamwon!
The Survivors
We've got a smashing day of rugby ahead this Saturday. The forecast is for a balmy 14 degrees celsius with clear skies overhead. So if you're sitting on the fence, get off it and head to our prime riverside location to watch some great expat rugby here in Korea.
As most of you know the SS Killer Bs is the official Seoul Survivors Rugby Football Club second squad. Be that as it may, everyone in this team will be pushing for 1st team spots so you can expect to see a lot of quality rugby from players who have put their heart and soul into training for this match-up.
This will be your team for the day:
1 Alan Nuusila SAM
2 Beau Spencer USA
3 Jordan Smigelsky (c) CAN
4 Paul Mancktelow ENG
5 Taylor Whitmer USA
6 Kenneth Park USA
7 Manasa Tuilau FIJ
8 Steve Ko NZL
9 Jono O'Sullivan NZL
10 Nicholas Goodman NZL
11 Ibrahim Zylstra CAN
12 Mona Tumamao SAM
13 Ben Dover NZL
14 Philip Guerrero USA
15 Hikaru Tamoto JAP
16 Ken Wilson NZL
17 Matt Butler USA
18 Newton Thompson NZL
19 Jin Lee KOR
20 Steve Moriarty USA
21 Zac Worthen USA
22 Sly Kim KOR
Referee: Johan Meyer RSA
Coaches: Roddy Bancroft, Dan Grover, Jono O'Sullivan
Manager: Kurt Taogaga
Mascot: Aidan Bancroft
The side will be captained by Canadian stalwart Jordan Smigelsky who will be leading a hefty pack including man-mountain Alan Nuusila and newbie Taylor Whitmer against the Knights forwards.
The hinge of the team is an all-Kiwi affair with new Survivor Steve Ko coming off the back and linking up with Jono O'Sullivan at halfback. Player/coach O'Sullivan will be shovelling the ball to Nelson's very own Nick Goodman who holds the key to unlocking the Killer Bs powerful midfield.
Out wide, North American flair takes form in Philip Guerrero and Ib Zylstra who will look to put forward good performances and cement a spot in the As. They will be backed up by silky Japanese import Hikaru Tamoto who comes in at fullback.
The Knights are coming off the back of an impressive 17-10 win over the Jeonnam Aliens so let's get down and support expat rugby in Korea. See you at Fortress Jamwon!
The Survivors
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Famous Korean Rugby Players
A former President of Korea, Roh Tae-woo
He was a captain of Korea Military Academy. If he tried hard enough for rugby to be included in Olympics, rugby could have become an Olympic sport in 1988. Despite the expectation of people involved in rugby in Korea, he completly neglected the sport during his tenure.
For more informantion about him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roh_Tae-woo
Cho Byung-hwa, one of the most famous Korean poets
"I want to be remembered as a rugby player not a poet. I have lived my life like rugby and I will be living my life as a rugby player." "Rugby requires fierce determination, fair play, and creativity and if these things are reflected on your life, your life will be valuble and beautiful."
He also composed a couple of poem about rugby and one of them was his dream of Scotland tour with the Korean team- A Dream of Rugby.
(A section of his memorial hall is dedicated to his rugby collection)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Korea rugby blasts from the past
From the days when Korea was much more active, open and welcoming to foreign rugby visitors (and probably more confident of their capability too), a couple of stories; the above talks about a competition to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic ties between Britain and Korea and featured the Seoul Survivors amongst the teams....and the one below explains why....unlike today, most of the early Survivor impetus came from those hailing from Blighty, as opposed to today's antipodean eight-man shove....
Sunday, April 4, 2010
IRB talk about Korea rugby in Asia Five Nations
A good summary of prospects for the contenders in the upcoming a5n....rather optimistic about Korea's prospects but let's never say never!!
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2036857.html#asias+best+target+rwc+2011+place
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2036857.html#asias+best+target+rwc+2011+place
Friday, April 2, 2010
Rugby oasis down south in Korea
Gumi, hot bed of rugby in Korea....head down to Waegook Cook....highly recommended for the craic (South African style) and the rugby...
Normally, we wouldn't advertise anything here but Derrick and the guys really do put a lot into the sports of Touch and Rugby in Korea, supporting teams, running tournaments and generally acting as a magnet for rugby and Touch fans down south...
Here's how to find them http://www.waegookcook.com/
And here's what they have on this weekend...
Super 14 Games this weekend
Join us for the games and a beer after 18:00 at Waegook CookFriday 2 April, Vodacom Super 14Hurricanes vs Crusaders - 015:35 WellingtonWestern Force vs Vodacom Stormers - 19:05, PerthSaturday 3 AprilVodacom Super 14Blues vs Vodacom Bulls - 13:30, AucklandChiefs vs Highlanders - 015:35, Mt MaunganuiWarat...ahs vs Vodacom Cheetahs - 17:40, SydneyThe Sharks vs Reds - 00:05, The Absa Stadium Durban
Normally, we wouldn't advertise anything here but Derrick and the guys really do put a lot into the sports of Touch and Rugby in Korea, supporting teams, running tournaments and generally acting as a magnet for rugby and Touch fans down south...
Here's how to find them http://www.waegookcook.com/
And here's what they have on this weekend...
Super 14 Games this weekend
Join us for the games and a beer after 18:00 at Waegook CookFriday 2 April, Vodacom Super 14Hurricanes vs Crusaders - 015:35 WellingtonWestern Force vs Vodacom Stormers - 19:05, PerthSaturday 3 AprilVodacom Super 14Blues vs Vodacom Bulls - 13:30, AucklandChiefs vs Highlanders - 015:35, Mt MaunganuiWarat...ahs vs Vodacom Cheetahs - 17:40, SydneyThe Sharks vs Reds - 00:05, The Absa Stadium Durban
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Live rugby in Korea
"The SS Killer Bs debut match. Come out and get behind your mates!".
Event: SS Killer Bs vs. Cheongju Knights
What: Sporting Event
Start Time: Saturday, April 17 at 11:00am
End Time: Saturday, April 17 at 1:00pm
Where: Jamwon Rugby Pitch
Event: SS Killer Bs vs. Cheongju Knights
What: Sporting Event
Start Time: Saturday, April 17 at 11:00am
End Time: Saturday, April 17 at 1:00pm
Where: Jamwon Rugby Pitch
Monday, March 29, 2010
Why can't this be us?
Under the watchful eye of IOC President Jacques Rogge, former rugby player from Belgium (Dendermonde club, I believe...famous for the Dendermonde Tens tournament...)
and other worthies such as Billy Beaumont (former British Lions and England Captain) and IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.....Hong Kong hold aloft the sheild....even though it is the lowliest trophy, you have to beat some teams to win it....Korea's rugby sevens team needs to find the capability to do that and to build to get there....
The last couple of years have been a big learning for Korean rugby; the additional sponsorship from Standard Chartered that came alongside the England Counties visit, the experience of hosting a major touring side, the progress of Korean players in Japan and the regular disappointment in the results suggest that, organisationally, the bottom has been tested....and now we look for the leadership to take the lessons and convert the KRU and Korean rugby into something better organised, better managed, attracting greater talent and ultimately (because this really takes time) deliver better results.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Korea rugby sevens team returns from Hong Kong empty-handed
Action from the match v Zimbabwe
And versus South Africa
It looks like the results are telling us what we already knew; Korea are just not taking accoiunt of the progress made by other rugby nations and the results in Hong Kong now have disappointed for several years. It seems the tournament win in Shanghai in the inaugural Asia Sevens competition was a flash in the pan....
This weekend, our boys never threatened to win anything and must be looking in astonishment at the rise of other teams like Kenya, for example....
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Kyunghee Univ English Magazine on Rugby in Korea
To read the original article, click(click the images to enlarge on this following blog) http://blog.naver.com/rugby15/50085305447
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
New shirts for Korea Rugby
Proud sponsors Kappa, it seems, have stepped in to support Korea....no doubt thius will be another controversy having changed the colourse, style etc....
Hope that Standard Chartered have organised some for all their staff and press-ganged them to attend all home matches for Korea in Asia Five Nations!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Rugby sevens in Korea
"1st Annual Ansan Rugby 7s Festival " on Sunday, March 28 at 10:00am.
Event: 1st Annual Ansan Rugby 7s Festival
What: Sporting Event
Start Time: Sunday, March 28 at 10:00am
End Time: Sunday, March 28 at 6:00pm
Where: Ansan Lake Park (호수공원)
Event: 1st Annual Ansan Rugby 7s Festival
What: Sporting Event
Start Time: Sunday, March 28 at 10:00am
End Time: Sunday, March 28 at 6:00pm
Where: Ansan Lake Park (호수공원)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wanted: Old timers of Korea rugby
Would any over-40 rugby players in Korea be interested in joining the 'Asian Marauders' Golden Oldies team in Sydney in September?
The Asian Marauders is a team mainly consisting of former YCAC (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club's Rugby Section) players and friends.
Originally called Mellie's Marauders in 1997 & 2001 when they went to South Africa and Toulouse and then Mike's Marauders on their tour to San Diego. The Brits were not so keen on Edinburgh in 2009 so the team was renamed Asian Marauders and added few guys from Nomads etc. in Asia and that concept seemed to work well.
In Edinburgh it seemed that there was not a single Korean playing in or Korean team participating among the 100's of teams Golden Oldies Rugby Festival (http://www.goldenoldiessports.com/go_festivals/rugby_festivals/world-rugby-festival-2010.htm).
If anyone is interested in helping to make the team even more Asian, please contact Mike Galbraith or Jim Watson.
Regarding the tournament itself, there are usually about 10 to 15 Japanese teams at these events and we can't let them have all the fun!! There are three games of about 20 minutes each way (with people swapping in and out) `during the week and many events including a grand dinner (usually about 2,500 people) on the last night. If think that if Korean ruggers saw this event, they would start getting interested in participating in future events in their own teams.
By the way, 2012 Golden Oldies will be in Kyushu and so very close to Korea!
The Asian Marauders is a team mainly consisting of former YCAC (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club's Rugby Section) players and friends.
Originally called Mellie's Marauders in 1997 & 2001 when they went to South Africa and Toulouse and then Mike's Marauders on their tour to San Diego. The Brits were not so keen on Edinburgh in 2009 so the team was renamed Asian Marauders and added few guys from Nomads etc. in Asia and that concept seemed to work well.
In Edinburgh it seemed that there was not a single Korean playing in or Korean team participating among the 100's of teams Golden Oldies Rugby Festival (http://www.goldenoldiessports.com/go_festivals/rugby_festivals/world-rugby-festival-2010.htm).
If anyone is interested in helping to make the team even more Asian, please contact Mike Galbraith or Jim Watson.
Regarding the tournament itself, there are usually about 10 to 15 Japanese teams at these events and we can't let them have all the fun!! There are three games of about 20 minutes each way (with people swapping in and out) `during the week and many events including a grand dinner (usually about 2,500 people) on the last night. If think that if Korean ruggers saw this event, they would start getting interested in participating in future events in their own teams.
By the way, 2012 Golden Oldies will be in Kyushu and so very close to Korea!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Womens rugby in Korea needs coaches
Seoul Sisters, the club that pioneered women's rugby in Korea, is looking for coaches. Really important to keep this fledgling alive!
The Seoul Sisters Rugby Club (www.ssrfc.com) is looking for coaches on Saturdays from 11am-12pm at Jamwon Pitch near Apugjeong Station. Please contact club representative, Robin Seila, at robin.seila@gmail.com if you are interested.
The Seoul Sisters Rugby Club (www.ssrfc.com) is looking for coaches on Saturdays from 11am-12pm at Jamwon Pitch near Apugjeong Station. Please contact club representative, Robin Seila, at robin.seila@gmail.com if you are interested.
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