【2019年1月27日 (星期日) － 香港】由香港青年獎勵計劃(AYP)主辦、陞域集團(STAN GROUP)冠名贊助之年度定向界盛事──「圖出山野慈善賽2019」圓滿結束。今年設有3小時(初心組及族人組)及6小時(元氣組及達人組)賽事，並選址於新界北全新賽區進行比賽，為賽員提供嶄新長途越野定向體驗。作為全港唯一以長途越野定向形式(Rogaine)的團體定向比賽，是屆賽事吸引了逾250隊近850人參與，其中年紀最年長及最年幼的參賽者分別為64歲及7歲。活動所籌得之款項將投放於香港青年獎勵計劃各青年項目作經費之用，為香港青年創造更多成長機會。 圖出山野慈善賽為AYP的年度大型慈善籌款團隊定向比賽，於2007年首次由AYP引入香港。賽事不設指定路線，參賽隊伍需策略性地規劃路線，以奪分式的形式於指定時間內完成比賽，考驗參賽者的定向及遠足能力。 活動今年踏入第十三屆，大會邀請得一眾AYP理事會成員一同為賽事主持鳴槍起步儀式。AYP理事會委員陳佩珊女士表示：「今次比賽籌到的善款將用作支持獎勵計劃的活動基金，資助14-24歲青年人參加訓練課程從而取得國際認可的獎章，以及向大眾推廣定向活動。」，冠名贊助商陞域集團主席鄧耀昇先生今年身體力行參與了6小時賽事，並率領集團旗下超過30名同事及友好參加賽事：「集團一直積極推動青年可持續發展相關工作，『圖出山野慈善賽2019』有助培養青少年的團隊精神、獨立思考及解難能力，是一個不可多得的機會讓青少年裝備自己。希望眾多參賽者今天能夠竭盡所能，挑戰自己，爭取好成績。」另外，剛於「四大極地超馬巡迴賽」成為香港歷史上首位勇奪總冠軍的越野跑手黃浩聰，以及成功攀登七大洲八大高峰的最年輕港人吳俊霆今年亦有參與賽事。一向活躍於山界賽事的黃浩聰表示自訂路線的賽制極具挑戰性：「野外定向賽事要求參加者展現野外求生、導航的能力之外，更要懂得評估自身的能力才作出每個路線規劃的決定。我期望來年會有更多年青人參與賽事，相信他們在這個過程中亦能夠獲益不少。」 一如以往，各組別除了設有冠、亞、季三個獎項外，賽事另設有「AYP盃」、「工商機構錦標」及「摘星之旅星級獎」三項殊榮。為培養身體殘障人士、智障學生或在日常生活中屢遇挫折的青年勇於接受挑戰、迎難而上的精神，並感受越野定向的樂趣，大會自2009年起設立「摘星之旅星級獎」，表揚一眾突破自我極限的優勝參賽者，今年設有三個獎項︰「最具潛質團隊獎」、「傑出表現及智勇多謀獎」以及「傑出表現及堅毅精神獎」，分別由樂智協會、香港青少年培育會白普理宿舍以及匡智張玉瓊晨輝學校奪得。「工商機構錦標」的冠、亞、季軍分別由「Columbia 混噩隊」、「Team Columbia White Cats」及STAN GROUP「Team 8」奪得 資料及相片來源 : Yello Marketing

2019 ANTOFAGASTA MINERALS SANTIAGO E-PRIX (RD 3) RACE RE-CAP Sam Bird handled the heat under pressure from Pascal Wehrlein to win his first race of the season in the sweltering Santiago sunshine. With Wehrlein hot on his heels in the closing stages of the warmest Formula E race on record, Bird held his nerve with a peerless performance around the perimeter roads of Parque O’Higgins in the centre of the Chilean capital. Bird had to keep a close eye on his mirrors with both drivers on alternative ATTACK MODE strategies. Without any activations left, Bird found himself vulnerable from behind - as Wehrlein saved his final burst of energy in a bid to vault ahead with only minutes to spare. Despite his best efforts and clawing Bird in, Wehrlein couldn’t make a move and had to settle for second as his hopes of victory faded with rising temperatures. Fellow countryman Daniel Abt rounded out the podium places, inheriting a position from Alexander Sims after the BMW i Andretti Motorsport driver incurred a penalty for causing a collision with Edoardo Mortara. Contact with Sims sent Mortara spinning, but the VENTURI Formula E Team driver valiantly fought back to finish fourth. Buemi wasn’t so lucky to avoid the barriers, crashing out of the lead in close quarters with Bird at the Turn 6/7 chicane - the same corner he encountered trouble with in practice earlier in the day. The 2015/16 champion led away from the front - after being promoted to Julius Baer pole position following the exclusion of Lucas di Grassi for an infringement in qualifying. However, Buemi couldn’t convert a first win for the newly-named Nissan e.dams outfit. Winner in Marrakesh and championship leader coming into the race, Jerome D’Ambrosio came home in eighth - but later dropped to 10th after being handed a five-second penalty for speeding under Full Course Yellow. The result means D’Ambrosio relinquishes his place to Bird at the top of the driver standings - with title protagonists Antonio Felix da Costa and Jean-Eric Vergne failing to add to their points tally. After another searing showdown in Santiago, Formula E now heads to Mexico City and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for round four of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship on February 16. For more analysis and to read the full race report, visit - www.FIAFormulaE.com Information and photo source : ABB FIA Formula E Championship

[香港， 2019年1月26日] 第三屆「香港哥爾夫球會超級馬拉松慈善賽」首日賽事由香港哥爾夫球會會長夏德威先生主持起步禮。 賽事於香港哥爾夫球會粉嶺舊場舉行，當中包括6小時、12小時及24小時耐力賽，並分別於下午2時、晚上8晚及明早8時完成。 除此之外，明日 (27日) 的賽事還包括個人兩圈賽 (4.4公里) 及四圈賽 (8.8公里)、校際邀請賽、企業隊際賽、親子賽，以及今年增設的寵物同樂賽。總共超過一千位名超級馬拉松的參賽跑手在比賽的同時，亦為賽事指定的受惠機構 – 香港單親協會籌款。 香港哥爾夫球會會長夏德威先生於起步禮表示:「球會很榮幸可以連續三年成為『香港哥爾夫球會超級馬拉松慈善賽』的主辦者和場地贊助商，而這歷史悠久的球會不單舉行高爾夫球活動，同時亦支持其他體育運動項目。」 資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia / 「香港哥爾夫球會超級馬拉松慈善賽」

[2019年1月25，香港]: 香港嘉里酒店九龍欖球會(九龍)明日與表現穩健的Natixis香港足球會(港會) 在「盛寶金融本地男子欖球聯賽」中交手 [地點: 京士柏運動場]。 同日其他賽事還有榜首的彭博香港蘇格蘭人欖球隊(蘇格蘭人)希望能重拾勇態，Herbert Smith Freehills香港大學沙灣隊(沙灣隊)是他們今仗的「出氣袋」[地點: 香港仔運動場]。 手持「Broony 盃」(Broony Quaich)的法興銀行華利欖球會(華利)將而對Borrelli Walsh三軍會猛虎欖球會(猛虎) 的挑戰(地點:跑馬地運動場) ，所有賽事於下午3時鳴笛。 九龍聖誕假前鬥兵荒，26名前鋒球員成為十字軍，2019年後陸續有多名主力復出便即為球隊取得兩勝。 九龍上仗靠完場前的落踢射門絕殺沙灣隊，並藉此首度脫離榜尾位置，之後上週六勇挫猛虎，以15分排第4位，但仍與第4位的猛虎有11分的差距。今年的前4份子將直接晉身兩輪制的季後總決賽。 聯賽仍餘下4輪賽事，九龍主帥史尼當(Scott Sneddon) 樂見兵荒得以舒緩: 「我們兵源較12月時更為充裕，相信情況將繼續改善。」 「我們上年年尾很困難，這些復出的球員隨即為球隊立功。」 史尼當為球隊近期的勝利感到欣喜，他說: 「 我很滿意獲勝的方式，開季時多次比賽均以7分之差而落敗，但現在我們以同樣分差取勝。」 「當然這些勝利可能存有幸運成分，但我們一直努力付出才有回報。」 九龍上次對沙灣隊在完場前耐心地組織了20輪攻勢，最終製造了一次落踢射門的黃金機會，而上週末對猛虎時甫開賽15分鐘便攻入21分，雖然一度被對手追回大部份失地，幸好最後力保勝果。 「我們開賽時勇不可擋，可是處於上風後便放鬆手腳，差點被猛虎反噬一口。「明日將是另一場硬仗因為港會也非省油的燈，他們有準港腳在陣而且每個位置差不多也有兩名球員可以勝任。」 「我們要比上星期更強壯，因為對方前鋒線強大和有擅於持球推進的球員，並且要提防犯規。他們的首席射手佳恩曉士(Glyn Hughes)喜愛踢球至底線旗附近，我們要嚴防敵軍從四方八面來犯。」 史尼當知道現在的兵力只達季前的八成，表現神勇的派柏(Charlie Piper)上週成為十字軍, 再令九龍增添煩惱。 「我們的傷兵問題並不會一夜消失，唯有靠其他球員挺身而出。」港腳哈里斯(Alex Harris) 將代替派柏上陣。 史尼當認為球隊以前4完成球季和晉身季後總決賽的機會不大, 但他亦希望以出色表現完成賽季, 他說:「我們的目標不會不切實際, 聖誕假前我們9戰只有1勝,休假後取得兩勝當然值得高興, 但我們只會專心明日一戰。」 資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia / HKRU

「2018亞洲運動會」三項鐵人混合接力銅牌得主羅亮添，今日 (24/1) 到訪民生書院小學，與一眾學生分享當上全職運動員後的經歷和生活點滴、亞運會獲獎感受及鼓勵具備運動潛質的同學堅持追逐夢想，並傳授於三項鐵人比賽中爭分奪秒的竅門。 資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia / 香港體育學院

The seven boats collected new scientific data during the nine-month fully-crewed, round the world yacht race. This helped increase scientific understanding of the impacts plastic pollution and other human activity are having on ocean health. The award was presented during a ceremony held at the boot Düsseldorf International Boat Show. Panel judge Frank Schweikert, Chairman of the German Marine Foundation, said: “The programme was groundbreaking and set new standards in global awareness of the dramatic levels of pollution in the oceans. “This was a perfect symbiosis between water sports and science." Anne-Cécile Turner, Sustainability Programme Leader, accepted the award at the ceremony, attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco who was representing his foundation. She said: “The Science Programme was an innovative and collaborative effort involving sailors, scientists, partners and a whole host of others concerned about the ocean and keen to advance our understanding of the problems it faces. “By working together we were able achieve the objectives of educating, innovating and leaving a lasting legacy and are proud that this has been recognised by the Ocean Tribute judges.” This is the third win for the programme after it already proved successful in the ‘Sports CSR Campaign of the Year’ category at the International Sports Awards and in the ‘Best Corporate Campaign or Initiative in Sport for Good’ category at the Beyond Sport Awards. An expert scientific consortium, funded by Volvo Cars, used cutting edge technology to build state of the art equipment to capture the most relevant ocean data. This included information on the global spread of microplastics, how a changing climate is affecting ocean health and, through the deployment of drifter buoys, ways oceanographic data can improve our understanding of the link between the ocean and weather patterns. The scientific analysis was spearheaded by GEOMAR Institute for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany, funded by the Cluster of Excellence Future Ocean. The data has been uploaded to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database where scientists are able to access it open source. Other oceanographic data is being utilised by the World Meteorological Organisation and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. After the Turn the Tide on Plastic and team AkzoNobel boats collected seawater samples, 86 in total during the race, they were analysed for microplastic concentrations in the GEOMAR laboratory using a powerful Raman spectrophotometer. Studies found 93% of those analysed contained levels of the particles. Stuart Templar, Head of Sustainability, Volvo Cars, said: “Volvo Cars is proud to have supported the Science Programme, which has produced an unprecedented picture of the health of our oceans. In particular, this clearly shows the extent of the global problem of micro-plastic pollution. "Decisive action needs to be taken, including by business. That is why Volvo Cars has made a number of pledges during the Race, including removing single use plastic by the end of 2019 and ensuring that at least 25% of the plastic in new Volvos is made from recycled material by 2025.” Todd McGuire, 11th Hour Racing Program Director: “It is wonderful to see how the Science Program is gaining international recognition and applause, extending the legacy and vision of the race in relation to plastic pollution and ocean health. “Utilizing sport to gather important scientific data is quite a novel concept, and the work carried out by the teams involved in the Volvo Ocean Race is helping fill a critical gap of information in very remote areas which would be otherwise difficult and very costly for scientific surveys to reach. Moreover, it is important to highlight that the data collected by these samplings is shared with international open-source databases. We are proud to support these efforts that align with the mission and strategy of 11th Hour Racing, which is highly invested in solutions, innovation and positive impact.” The Science Programme formed part of a broader Sustainability Programme, in collaboration with Founding Principal Sustainability Partner 11th Hour Racing, Principal Partner the Mirpuri Foundation, and our other main partners, Volvo, AkzoNobel, Bluewater, Stena Recycling and Ocean Family Foundation. Information and photo source : Volvo Ocean Race

[2019年1月21日，香港]：Natixis香港足球會(港會)和 SCAA第一太平銅鑼灣鳳凰欖球會(鳳凰)在上週末雙雙獲勝之餘更取得額外積分，她們的手下敗將分別是Transact 24 大埔龍欖球會(大埔龍) 和無塑海洋城市欖球會Sparkle (城市欖球會) 。兩支榜首隊伍將於今個週末高手過招。 上週末的「上區」獨腳戲由法興銀行華利女子欖球會(華利)以62-0將香港嘉里酒店九龍欖球會(九龍)打得落花流水，前者藉此進一步鞏固其榜首地位。 港會原本在上半場以8-17落後，但最終以29-17全身而退。港會入局慢的老毛病再次令主帥韋斯尼費烏斯（Wesley Feausi）動怒，他說: 「大埔龍一如所料火力全開，我們首20分鐘的表現有點懶散。我們早段連基本事情也未能好好處理，只會令自己承受沉重的代價，而事實也沒有說謊。」 「我當然滿意下半場脫胎換骨的表現，但我更想忘記上半場的不濟。我們半場休息時保持冷靜整理思緒，在腦海中回憶平日訓練所做的一切後再重新出發。」 港會一些小將以實際行動作回應，特別是懷艾蓮(Aileen Ryan)和謝美布克(Jamie Burk) 在最後15分鐘的亮麗演出合力作出大反撃，隊友兼蘇格蘭七人隊國腳梅絲高芙(Elizabeth Musgrove)猶如定海神針，為母會取得第一個及最後一個達陣，而她沒有控球在手的表現更見重要。 韋斯尼費烏斯賽前希望並非只有梅絲高芙控球進攻，她被調任殿鋒也很稱職。韋斯尼費烏斯道: 「我告訴她要與隊友分工合作至非單打獨鬥，她下半場做到我的要求亦連帶整隊球隊更有活力。她在被對手集中盯防下仍能與懷艾蓮互相呼應是好事。」「費安葛芝(Fion Got) 和隊中長青樹陳朗詩也在下半場挺身而出 。我們要在最後15分鐘才找到自己的節奏和『急救包』。」 大埔龍憑廖韻雯和徐彤茵的達陣領先17-8 (前者梅開二度) ，港會在廖韻雯第62分鐘被罰黃牌時看到一線生機。 謝美布克在下半場甫開賽後被罰黃牌，她在第65分鐘達陣將功補過，懷艾蓮射入附加罰球而進一步收窄比分。 懷艾蓮於3分鐘後取得達陣兼射入附加罰球，一口氣反先至22-17 ，梅絲高芙之後完成梅開二度，港會因而鎖定29-17的勝果。 鳳凰的36-5勝利和額外積分得來較易，侯倩雯達陣梅開二度，並在完半場前已領先17-0 ，之後繼續在下半場大開殺戒多取19分，城市欖球會在完場前由張凱瑩的達陣破蛋。 港會將於本週末與鳳凰相遇，韋斯尼費烏斯深知球隊再也不可慢熱，他: 「我觀看了鳳凰上場比賽，她們能打出漂亮欖球，所以這支交手將很精彩。我們如今雖可鬆一口氣但下次對鳳凰將難上加難。」 「她們的火力猛而且鬥牛陣和界外球也很危險。如果大埔龍能令我們舉步為艱，我們更要作針對性訓練，我們下仗一定要準備充足。」 資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia / HKRU

[2019年1月21，香港]: 法興銀行華利欖球會(華利)在上週六的「盛寶金融本地男子欖球聯賽」戰勝彭博香港蘇格蘭人欖球隊(蘇格蘭人) ，也是對手自10月以來的唯一攔路虎 。 Natixis香港足球會(港會) 大勝Herbert Smith Freehills香港大學沙灣隊(沙灣隊) 54-24，而香港嘉里酒店九龍欖球會(九龍)則險勝Borrelli Walsh三軍會猛虎欖球會(猛虎) 29-25 。 華利和蘇格蘭人是旗鼓相當，華利在聯賽休假後重啟便迎來首勝，他們同心協力加上傳鋒杜普萊(Ruan Duploy)和飛鋒黎萬利(Ben Rimene) 聯手主持大局，助母會取得 19-13的勝利 。 華利督軍安祖基利(Andrew Kelly) 並沒因勝利而沖昏頭腦，他反而更看重球員在季初不敵港會後一雪前恥，他說: 「對手今次人腳不整是因為傷兵和七人隊港腳缺陣，所以這是復仇的良機，我亦很欣賞他們未能全力出撃之下也只以些微之差敗陣。今仗勝敗的分野在於把握力。」 「我們重拾不少信心但執行力和埋身爭持同需改善。今仗是我們重回正軌的先兆。」 蘇格蘭人火速入局，只消5分鐘便由桑泰拿(Sean Taylor)達陣，麥尼殊 (Gregor McNeish) 的附加罰球中鵠並在完半場前亦射入罰球，助母會領先10-9 返回更衣室。 華利上半場的分數由黎萬利一手包辦，命中全數3個罰球，個人貢獻了14分。蘇格蘭人主帥夏文(Craig Hammond)認為落敗的主因是明知黎萬利在對岸時仍欠缺準繩度，他說: 「當你知道對手有出色的罰球專家上陣時仍大方地送上罰球，這猶如引狼入室。」 黎萬利在下半場不消多久便射入4個罰球，以一己之力助華利反先至12-10。麥尼殊很快便回敬一球，以13-10反佔上風，可是敵軍的杜普萊(Ruan Duploy)取得達陣，令領先勢頭第3次易手，華利也開如從今主宰大局。杜普萊的達陣始於隊友羅斯尼(Matt Rosslee)的突破，杜普萊後上接應奔跑20米達陣成功，加上黎萬利的附加罰球，華利在完場前10分鐘領先19-12 。 蘇格蘭人原本有兩次黃金達陣機會，可是自己犯錯而將努力付諸東流。 夏文續說: 「我們製造了一些機會而上半場的達陣也很精彩。我們必須提高控球率，今仗我們的組織並不暢順和沒有好好把握機會。」 「這些情況是比賽的一部份但這並非我們應有的水平，大家都因自己今場比賽欠缺狀態而感到失望，而這也正好鞭策我們去反省。」 勝出的華利也是今年初次將「Broony 盃」(Broony Quaich)據為己有，他們將於下次主場為保護「Broony 盃」而戰。 九龍今季連同上週末以29-25勇挫猛虎後已取得兩勝，他們今場只花了18分鐘便領先24-0 ，而猛虎在完半場時已追至20-24。 九龍的積克曉士(Jack Hughes) 腳風和手感都很順，獨取3個附加罰球、1個罰球和1次達陣，在上半場貢獻了14分。 猛虎主帥鶴京(Sam Hocking) 對球隊差勁的開局大發雷霆後，馬上由丹巴路(Dan Barlow) 、史東(Casey Stone)和活布蘭(Alex Woodburn)達陣，加上羅比基夫(Robbie Keith)射入活布蘭帶來的附加罰球和另一罰球，合力收復大部份失地。 下半場再沒有出現大量得分，雙方只各自增添1次達陣，禾拿(Lewis Warner)為九龍拉開至29-20, 雖然(Lafaele Ikenasio)在78分鐘為猛虎追成只有4分之差，卻為時已晚。 港會上半場遙遙領先造訪的沙灣隊20分(33-13 ) ，主隊的華基尼(Campbell Wakely)在上半場達陣兩次，其他達陣者還有森派(Sam Pim) 、古阿連奴(Paul Gualino)和迪堤亞尼(Nate de Thierry) ，加上佳恩曉士(Glyn Hughes)命中4個附加罰球, 而客軍由米達斯(Jack Metters) 射入兩個罰球和親手達陣兼命中附加罰球。最後，兩軍以54-24 完成交易。 資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia / HKRU

在布達佩斯舉行的匈牙利公開賽於昨天圓滿結束，港隊分別在男雙及女雙項目取得季席。 男雙項目，教練首次安排林兆恒與黃鎮廷配對便取得季軍，實在可喜可賀。黃鎮廷／林兆恒先以3:1贏羅馬尼亞／西班牙選手，晉身八強，再以3:2勝克羅地亞／烏克蘭選手，惟於半決賽以2:3負中國樊振東／林高遠，取得季軍。 女雙項目，吳穎嵐／蘇慧音在八強賽以1:3負俄羅斯選手SAMARA Elizabeta ／SZOCS Bernadette，未能再下一城；而李皓晴／杜凱琹則以3:1勝瑞典選手EKHOLM Matilda／匈牙利選手POTA Georgina ，可惜於準決賽時李皓晴因身體不適未能繼續賽事，取得季軍。 黃鎮廷在男子單打以2:4負俄羅斯SHIBAEV Alexander，十六強止步。 資料及相片來源：HKTTA / ITTF

Strong Fijian side among those bidding to deny Biarritz Gavekal’s quest for a hat-trick of titles at Hong Kong Football Club, while three-time winners Asia Pacific Dragons could also be a strong contender as they return after a year’s absence Hong Kong; January 21, 2019: An experienced Mourant Fiji Army squad will make their eagerly awaited tournament debut at the 34th edition of the GFI HKFC 10s, which will be held at Hong Kong Football Club from April 3-4, the Wednesday and Thursday before the Hong Kong Sevens. The Fijians are expected to be among this year’s top contenders as Biarritz Gavekal – formerly UBB Gavekal – bid for a third successive Cup title. The tournament has also been boosted by the return of three-time champions Asia Pacific Dragons (APDs) after a year’s absence. Isake ‘Ice’ Katonibau has helped Fiji win the last four Hong Kong Sevens titles (2015-2018), but this year will captain Mourant Fiji Army, whose provisional squad includes 2016 Olympic gold medallist Apisai Domolailai. Katonibau admits the team has high expectations for the tournament and is looking forward to his return to the city. Fiji Army are also the reigning champions in the International Defence Rugby Competition after beating the British Army 30-10 in the 2015 final in London, and will defend their title in Japan this year. “We are all really excited to play in the GFI HKFC 10s,” he said. “A lot of the guys have heard about the tournament and have already played in the Hong Kong Sevens. We know it’s a very high standard of rugby and we are aiming for the Cup.” Jope Tuikabe, a 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens winner in Hong Kong with the likes of Waisale Serevi and Marika Vunibaka, will coach the squad, which is expected to feature many recent and current Fiji Sevens and 15s players. Paul Christopher, Mourant’s Hong Kong Managing Partner, said: “This year’s tournament looks set to reach a new level in terms of the quality of teams participating. We are honoured to be sponsoring Fiji Army's debut. “As a firm, we have a track record of supporting sports like rugby that focus on values important to us – teamwork, collaboration, well-being and sportsmanship. We know Fiji Army will bring these attributes to Hong Kong along with the creativity and flair for which Fijian players are renowned. “Mourant Fiji Army are an exciting prospect, so sports enthusiasts will be keen to see how they progress. There is also the potential prospect of a unique double – Mourant Fiji Army winning the GFI HKFC 10s and Fiji winning the Hong Kong Sevens.” Kerry Hotel will be an official sponsor of the team and play host to the tournament newcomers, along with all of this year’s Hong Kong Sevens teams – including Fiji. Nicholas Smith, General Manager of Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, said: “Kerry Hotel is thrilled to join hands with Mourant and be an official sponsor of Fiji Army in the GFI HKFC 10s. We hope our support will help the team as they make their tournament debut and we look forward to hosting the squad and their supporters at Kerry Hotel.” Fijians have starred in the last two editions of the GFI HKFC 10s, as Biarritz Gavekal won the Cup in 2016 with four Fiji Sevens backs and retained the title last year with five contracted Fiji Sevens players. Along with Biarritz Gavekal, Mourant Fiji Army and the APDs, leading teams will include two-time champions Penguins and three-time finalists Tradition YCAC and Samurai International. Kir Club Pyrenees of France, Scotland’s Projecx Waterboys and A-Trade Overseas Old Boys will also target silverware after finishing in the top half of the 16-team competition last April. The star-studded Classic Wallabies will play for a third straight year, while Hong Kong-based Taikoo Place Scottish Exiles, USA’s Tiger Rugby, Irish Vikings, Hunter and Boo East Africans, Shanghai RFC: The Silver Dragons and hosts Natixis HKFC complete the 16-team line-up. On day two, the tournament eventually splits into four tiers – Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield – as all teams bid for silverware. Inaugurated in 1986 to celebrate Hong Kong Football Club’s centenary, the GFI HKFC 10s has long attracted the game’s top players including seven All Blacks who won the 2015 Rugby World Cup – Conrad Smith, Jerome Kaino (both 2003), Ben Smith, Charlie Faumuina (both 2008), Beauden Barrett, Sam Cane (both 2010) and Nehe Milner-Skudder (2013). GFI has title sponsored the event since 2006, while other sponsors and suppliers for 2019 include Natixis (Gold Sponsor), AIA, Allied World, DHL, Q-Net and Taikoo Place (Silver Sponsors), CBRE, Latham and Watkins, and Markel (Bronze Sponsors), Kerry Hotel (Official Sponsor), Grolsch (Official Beer), and Samurai Sportswear (Official Apparel). 34th GFI HKFC 10s; April 3-4, 2019 Teams (selected highlights) Biarritz Gavekal (Cup winners 2017, 2018) Tradition YCAC (Cup runners-up 2014, 2015, 2018) Penguins (Cup winners 2013, 2016) Asia Pacific Dragons (Cup winners 2012, 2014, 2015) Mourant Fiji Army (Debut 2019) Samurai International (Cup runners-up 2010, 2013, 2016; Plate winners 2018) A-Trade Overseas Old Boys (Plate winners 2016; Plate runners-up 2018) Projecx Waterboys (Plate semis 2016, 2017, 2018) Kir Club Pyrenees (Cup semis 2009; Plate winners 2017) Taikoo Place Scottish Exiles (Cup semis 2015; Bowl winners 2018) Hunter and Boo East Africans (Bowl runners-up 2018) Classic Wallabies (Bowl semis 2017, 2018) Tiger Rugby (Bowl semis 2018) Natixis HKFC (Shield Winners 2012, 2016, 2018) Irish Vikings (Bowl runners-up 2009, 2017; Shield winners 2010, 2013) Shanghai RFC: The Silver Dragons (Shield winners 2017) Information and photo source : i3 Sports / GFI HKFC 10s