Hong Kong win Asia’s first U18 title

Only six teams play in the Youth Olympics – one from each confederation. Selection for the 2014 was based on the adult Sevens World Cup results, but for 2018 some more appropriate selection process is expected.   Europe already have an advantage, having now staged three championship, with the USA and Canada also entering thelast onegiving North America a possible selection route. Now Asia have joined in.

As is so often the way of things in Asia, the turnout at tournaments is reflected by the venue. Women’s and girls’ teams from west Asia rarely make it to Hong Kong or China when they host events, and east Asian teams are often no-shows when the venue is in the west. While disappointing, it is perhaps therefore no surprise that neither regional U20 champions Thailand nor continental super powers Japan and China sent teams to Dubai this weekend. In Asia the ability to buy flight tickets is sometimes almost as important as coaching or playing talent.

In the end six team made it to Dubai, with the biggest cheer perhaps being reserved for the United Arab Emirates team, not only because they were the locals, but because for the first time this was an entirely ex-pat free team. All of the girls were Emeritis – a massive example of how well the game is doing in region (that and the six-team Gulf U19 tournament taking place on some of the adjoining pitches).

Also in attendance were Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan

The tournament was played over three days, and in the end it was Hong Kong who were crowned champions. Although not officially part of the Dubai Sevens, the final was played in an electric atmosphere before a large crowd on pitch 2 at the prestigious “7even's Stadium” giving the players an unforgettable experience that they would probably never have received anywhere else.

In the final Hong Kong beat a valiant Kazakhstan side, 12-5 in an exciting, tightly-contested match. The young Hong Kong girls held their nerve, defended solidly and took their chances, with Jessica Eden and Hebe Talles breaking through for two good tries.

What bodes well for Hong Kong rugby, Head Coach of Hong Kong  Samantha Feausi  spoke about the Hong Kong squad "The team selected for the tournament is a relatively young team, with most of the players still at 16 years old. This is just the beginning and first competition for the team. The hope for this team is that they continue training and playing together for a couple more years at U18 level where they will eventually transition into the Hong Kong U20’s squad."

This proved a brilliant, fitting conclusion for the Hong Kong team, who delivered an impressive, undefeated showing over the three days, and which eventually culminated in victory at the first ever Asia Rugby U18 Girls Championship.

In the earlier matches India defeated Sri Lanka 15-7 to take 3rd place , and UAE’s all-Emeriti Girls Team defeated Uzbekistan  29-0 to take 5th Spot.

In recognition of the importance of her team’s participation the UAE’s Hind Mohammed Abdulla received the award of First Female Emirati Try Scorer, presented to her on pitch 1 in front of the full Dubai 7s crowd

The Secretary-General of Asia Rugby, Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai, spoke about the success of the Tournament: “Asia Rugby in partnership with the UAE Rugby Federation has achieved another milestone by endorsing this tournament which featured 6 Asian teams.”

“Asia Rugby remains committed to creating equal opportunities and executing a proper gender inclusion programme within its jurisdiction. We plan that this will now be an annual event in the Asia Rugby competition calendar and I look forward to witnessing not less than 12 women’s teams participating next year.”

This tournament was also a testament to the overwhelming success of the Get Into Rugby (GRI) Program In Asia

"This event showcased the pathway from Get into Rugby to international rugby," said Ben van Rooyen, Asia Rugby's GIR Coordinator.  "Many of the participants playing in this week's tournament have come through the GIR Programmes in their respective Unions."

In other Asian rugby newsIran’s U22 national team have been in Germany this week playing in a tournament in Berlin, as part of an exchange programme, which also attracted widespread local newspaper and television coverage (right).

Also at the Dubai Sevens, Belgium reached the final of the Inivitational, losing to an international Samurai Sevens team in the final. Kenya were fourth, losing to Tribe in the Bronze final. France's development team took the Challenge Trophy (5th place), Ireland Development coming 7th and Poland 9th. And Lebanonesse rugby got a taste of success when Beirut won the Gulf Women's Plate.Full Dubai Results