With just 50 days to go to the Touch world cup http://www.touchworldcup2011.co.uk/ teams must now be preparing hard. Sadly, Korea didn't feel able to get a side in to the tournament despite the easier route for a "developing nation" status which probably would have been possible. However, it doesn't stop people from going along and enjoying the fun!
For teams arriving early, there is the chance to play in a fun tournament as a warm up and to give you an excuse to travel to places like Stonehenge and Bath....
The event is the Castle Cary Spring Touch Tournament which will be held at Castle Cary Rugby Club http://www.castlecaryrfc.co.uk/ on Saturday June 18th. It is an open mixed comp with the stipulation of just 2 wome on the pitch at all times....should be a fun work out in a very relaxed environment and surrounded by beautiful countryside....
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
“In rugby, Korea must aim to beat Japan” says Eddie Jones
Story on Eddie Jones in the Korea Times.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2011/04/136_85584.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2011/04/136_85584.html
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Touch expands in Korea, now Suwon has Touch Rugby
According to a posting on the Korea Touch Association
"...just started a touch rugby group in Suwon for anyone who lives close to that area. It looks like the first time will be this Sunday. His group on Facebook is called "Touch rugby in Suwon"."
In the past Suwon Stormers used to host a great one-day tournament....maybe these guys would do the same?
"...just started a touch rugby group in Suwon for anyone who lives close to that area. It looks like the first time will be this Sunday. His group on Facebook is called "Touch rugby in Suwon"."
In the past Suwon Stormers used to host a great one-day tournament....maybe these guys would do the same?
Han River Pirates kids rugby in Seoul
The Han River Pirates hit the headlines again this time in the Korea Times http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/04/139_85485.html
Hopefully, this will help to attract players and reward sponsors as well as being a boost for the coaching team!
Hopefully, this will help to attract players and reward sponsors as well as being a boost for the coaching team!
Korea rugby charity event a huge success!
The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, known as “The Kiwi Chamber,” and the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, “AustCham,” hosted “The Rugby Charity Dinner,” with rugby legends Sean Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jones yesterday evening at the Grand Hyatt Hotel’s Grand Ballroom under the sponsorship of DHL.
The charity event was an overwhelming success with over 400 in attendance and featured the professional New Zealand kapa haka group Pounamu, which entertained guests with an inspired traditional Maori performance.
Thanking the two chambers and all for their efforts on behalf of Christchurch earthquake support, New Zealand Ambassador Richard Mann commented, “I am honoured that two legends of rugby would visit Korea on behalf of this important event ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2011.”
Demonstrating true ANZAC spirit, AustCham and the Australian business community put their full effort behind the event during their Year of Friendship with Korea. Australian Ambassador Sam Gerovich also thanked the New Zealand and Australian chambers and said, “I wish New Zealand the best for the Rugby World Cup 2011, as you deserve success.”
Justin Sampson, an ESPN Star Sports rugby commentator of 11 years and master of ceremonies for the evening, led a Q&A session with the two rugby legends who discussed rugby, this year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and the growth and development of the sport in Korea and Asia.
“The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event outside of the Olympics and FIFA World Cup,” announced Sean Fitzpatrick, an official New Zealand ambassador for the Rugby World Cup and former captain of New Zealand’s national team, the All Blacks. He noted the successful event showed that New Zealand is a “can-do nation.”
Eddie Jones, former head coach of the Australian national team, the Wallabies, and current general manager and head coach of Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, stressed “Rugby continues to grow as sport globally and in Asia and the Korean teams are physical and fast with an opportunity to get much better.”
Following a touching and uplifting message from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, more than KRW 105.5 million was raised through an auction, a raffle and donations, with KRW 66.0 million going to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and KRW 39.5 going to Japan-linked charities. In a remarkable display of generosity, “The Reebok Ultimate Sporting Weekend,” which includes two return business class tickets on Emirates, a two-night W Hotel stay and a chance to watch NFL, NBA and NHL games in Boston from VIP seating, raised KRW 24.5 million. In other auctions, two Rugby World Cup tickets donated by DHL and a rugby ball and jersey signed by Sean Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jones pulled in KRW 1.2 million and KRW 10 million, respectively, while a special event sculpture carved by Ms. Jin Lee out of special New Zealand Oamaru limestone took in KRW 5.5 million.
To acknowledge the recent tragedy in Japan, the adidas-donated “Fevernova Crystal Ball,” a rare 14-karat gold-plated official 2002 FIFA World Cup match ball with the Korean and Japanese flags and official FIFA logo, was the top auction prize, bringing in KRW 39 million, of which went to 50% to Save the Children and 50% to adidas’s Japan-linked charity work. An adidas-provided signed All Blacks jersey also fetched KRW 5.7 million, while a Canterbury Crusaders jersey with a special message from current All Blacks captain Richie McCaw went for KRW 4.5 million.
Additional funds were raised through auction and the raffle of air tickets to Hong Kong, hotel vouchers, golf gear, coffee machines, wine, mobile phones and meat trays. The event featured a fabulous three-course dinner with wine and beverages from both New Zealand and Australia.
The charity event was an overwhelming success with over 400 in attendance and featured the professional New Zealand kapa haka group Pounamu, which entertained guests with an inspired traditional Maori performance.
Thanking the two chambers and all for their efforts on behalf of Christchurch earthquake support, New Zealand Ambassador Richard Mann commented, “I am honoured that two legends of rugby would visit Korea on behalf of this important event ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2011.”
Demonstrating true ANZAC spirit, AustCham and the Australian business community put their full effort behind the event during their Year of Friendship with Korea. Australian Ambassador Sam Gerovich also thanked the New Zealand and Australian chambers and said, “I wish New Zealand the best for the Rugby World Cup 2011, as you deserve success.”
Justin Sampson, an ESPN Star Sports rugby commentator of 11 years and master of ceremonies for the evening, led a Q&A session with the two rugby legends who discussed rugby, this year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and the growth and development of the sport in Korea and Asia.
“The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event outside of the Olympics and FIFA World Cup,” announced Sean Fitzpatrick, an official New Zealand ambassador for the Rugby World Cup and former captain of New Zealand’s national team, the All Blacks. He noted the successful event showed that New Zealand is a “can-do nation.”
Eddie Jones, former head coach of the Australian national team, the Wallabies, and current general manager and head coach of Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, stressed “Rugby continues to grow as sport globally and in Asia and the Korean teams are physical and fast with an opportunity to get much better.”
Following a touching and uplifting message from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, more than KRW 105.5 million was raised through an auction, a raffle and donations, with KRW 66.0 million going to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and KRW 39.5 going to Japan-linked charities. In a remarkable display of generosity, “The Reebok Ultimate Sporting Weekend,” which includes two return business class tickets on Emirates, a two-night W Hotel stay and a chance to watch NFL, NBA and NHL games in Boston from VIP seating, raised KRW 24.5 million. In other auctions, two Rugby World Cup tickets donated by DHL and a rugby ball and jersey signed by Sean Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jones pulled in KRW 1.2 million and KRW 10 million, respectively, while a special event sculpture carved by Ms. Jin Lee out of special New Zealand Oamaru limestone took in KRW 5.5 million.
To acknowledge the recent tragedy in Japan, the adidas-donated “Fevernova Crystal Ball,” a rare 14-karat gold-plated official 2002 FIFA World Cup match ball with the Korean and Japanese flags and official FIFA logo, was the top auction prize, bringing in KRW 39 million, of which went to 50% to Save the Children and 50% to adidas’s Japan-linked charity work. An adidas-provided signed All Blacks jersey also fetched KRW 5.7 million, while a Canterbury Crusaders jersey with a special message from current All Blacks captain Richie McCaw went for KRW 4.5 million.
Additional funds were raised through auction and the raffle of air tickets to Hong Kong, hotel vouchers, golf gear, coffee machines, wine, mobile phones and meat trays. The event featured a fabulous three-course dinner with wine and beverages from both New Zealand and Australia.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Pics from Hong Kong Sevens
Some good action pics from Korea rugby at Hong Kong Sevens http://blog.naver.com/rugby15.do
Touch in Korea
Touch football or Touch rugby as it is sometimes known, has been running in Korea for some time and formal leadership was taken for the sport when the Korea Touch Association was formed in 2008. You can catch up on what is happening at the Korea Touch Association website http://www.koreatouch.com/ or on their facebook site (see panel on left). If Saturday 2nd April was anything to go by, the sport should be really doing well....20-30 people of all abilities and expertise played for two hours at Jamwon (see left panel for directions). A good standard and very welcoming environment remain the hallmarks of Touch in Korea!
In Korea, rugby for kids flourishes
Latest news from Seoul's Han River Pirates kids rugby club http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110412000551 This club takes kids from age 7-14 years and they play Touch and some contact. In the past, a colts team evolved from Han River Pirates which was taken under the wing of Seoul Survivors for a while...it seems this may not be running this year but surely the demand exists? Where do the players from Han River Pirates go when they graduate?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Rugby greats come to Seoul April 13 2011
This will provide a big lift to rugby fans in Korea as well as giving them a chance to contribute support to those affected by the earthquake in Christchurch....a chance to here from two of rugby's greatest names Eddie Jones and Sean Fitzpatrick!! Korea Times has it covered here http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/04/177_84542.html And here is the official press release Kiwi Chamber & AustCham Rugby Charity Dinner April 13, 2011, Seoul, Korea Background The Kiwi Chamber and AustCham Rugby World Cup Charity Dinner will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the Grand Ballroom on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 with the proceeds from the event and auctioned items going to the government-sanctioned Christchurch Earthquake Relief Fund. The event will be co-hosted by the Kiwi Chamber and AustCham (New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea & the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, respectively) and aims to raise the awareness of rugby ahead of the next Rugby World Cup which will take place in New Zealand from September 9 to October 23, 2011. The event will include cuisine and beverages from both New Zealand and Australia and memorabilia and prizes will be donated for auction and a raffle during the event. The event is likely to be one of the biggest promotional events outside of New Zealand and will feature two rugby legends—Sean Fitzpatrick, an official New Zealand ambassador for the Rugby World Cup and former All Black captain, and Australia’s Eddie Jones, former head coach of the Wallabies, who will discuss not only rugby but what the sport means to Korea, the Asia-Pacific region and the world. During their visit, Eddie Jones will visit a local Korean university with a leading rugby team and the foreign community rugby club “Seoul Survivors” to provide coaching and training during a few sessions. Finally, they will be on hand to at the main event to speak on and promote the sport of rugby and sign autographs and memorabilia for donations. The event sponsors are DHL and Emirates and other key donations for auction will be made by key contributors adidas, Reebok, Hyatt, Audi, Ssangyong Paper and Nestle along with many others. Over 400 people are expected to attend and about 25% of ticket sales will go to charity along with 100% of the proceeds from the auction items and raffle. The top auction item will be a rare gold-plated official 2002 FIFA World Cup match ball with the Korean and Japanese flags and official FIFA logo, with the proceeds going to the Japanese Embassy’s donation recommendation. Event Logistics When: Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 6:30pm – 10:00pm Where: Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seoul, Korea Featuring: New Zealand and Australian cuisine including beef, mussels, wine and beer as well as cultural activities and a lot of fun. Funds will be raised through exciting auction and raffle prizes that include a trip to the U.S. to see NFL and NBA games, Rugby World Cup tickets, flights, hotel vouchers, golf gear, coffee machines and much more. Entry: Non-members - KRW1,200,000 (per table); Members - KRW1,000,000 (per table) - (individual tickets: KRW120,000 and KRW100,000, respectively). Tables and tickets can be purchased at www.kiwichamber.com with about 25% of the proceeds going to charity.
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