Hong Kong Sevens - last one, for now !
Three years ago, nearly to the day, we arrived in Hong Kong from India and it was on the weekend of the HK Rugby Sevens. We obviously didn't go that year but have been to the 3 tournaments since then. It is a showcase event for Hong Kong and they definitely know how to put on a party. The town turns in to a massive Rugby hub !
The tournament runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the local kids rugby teams get to play on the pitch at the start of each three days. Both boys played last year and loved the experience of being on the ground in this big stadium with lots of people supporting them (not a full crowd but it seems like a massive crowd to the kids).
This year Mike and I managed to get our calendars confused and our trip to Bali clashed with the Sevens. Luckily, we flew back on Saturday, so we had the chance to keep our tickets for the Sunday. The access to tickets can be quite troublesome with such HIGH demand and only a limited number of avenues to get them. As the boys were playing club rugby, we were allowed to purchase through the club which is great. The scalpers make a motser over the weekend, as people are so desperate to get their hands on more tickets.
There is now a great group of ladies in HK that have started a Facebook group that is for trading of tickets at face value - no profit allowed to be made. It is designed for people who may have too many tickets or have had a change in circumstances, to offload there tickets to people who are in need. It is a fabulous group, as there is absolutely no room for negotiation and everyone is left happy. That is what I used for our Friday and Saturday tickets and thought the whole experience was a brilliant initiative. Not so good for the scalpers though !
Saturday is the BIG day with the South Stand being the place to be seen - usually in costume. This year we saw loads of 'ball tamperers', Supermen, Bananas in Pyjamas, Pink Ladies, Hippies. You name it, there is a person in the South Stand dressed as it. It gets quite messy but I still don't think I have seen any violence at the Sevens in 3 years. It is such a great atmosphere and so safe for the kids to hang out with friends and then come back when their tummy rumbles. Of course, you see those that have overindulged but what's a ruby game without that ?
There was a loan streaker this year which always upsets Max. He cannot understand why anyone would be so stupid to run on to a pitch when there is decent sport to watch. And then, to be kicked out and not see any more sport - so young and innocent. Lets hope he remembers that in the years to come.
Again, Hong Kong definitely knows how to put on a party and manage the crowds. The location of the Stadium means that most people are walking from the MTR station, meaning getting too and from the ground is simple. It really does make it a fund day out for everyone.
The Australian team didn't fire last weekend, but the Kenyan and Fijian teams were red hot and made it through to the final. Sadly, the Kenyans seem to run out of steam in the final - or maybe Fiji were just too good. Either way they all seem to have a great time and had huge numbers of supporters for both teams.
Sadly, we will not be in Hong Kong next year for the Sevens, but never say never that we won't be back. As Mike said on Sunday to Max - 'I see your future Max and it is you dressed in a pink tutu in the South Stand!'
The tournament runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the local kids rugby teams get to play on the pitch at the start of each three days. Both boys played last year and loved the experience of being on the ground in this big stadium with lots of people supporting them (not a full crowd but it seems like a massive crowd to the kids).
This year Mike and I managed to get our calendars confused and our trip to Bali clashed with the Sevens. Luckily, we flew back on Saturday, so we had the chance to keep our tickets for the Sunday. The access to tickets can be quite troublesome with such HIGH demand and only a limited number of avenues to get them. As the boys were playing club rugby, we were allowed to purchase through the club which is great. The scalpers make a motser over the weekend, as people are so desperate to get their hands on more tickets.
There is now a great group of ladies in HK that have started a Facebook group that is for trading of tickets at face value - no profit allowed to be made. It is designed for people who may have too many tickets or have had a change in circumstances, to offload there tickets to people who are in need. It is a fabulous group, as there is absolutely no room for negotiation and everyone is left happy. That is what I used for our Friday and Saturday tickets and thought the whole experience was a brilliant initiative. Not so good for the scalpers though !
Saturday is the BIG day with the South Stand being the place to be seen - usually in costume. This year we saw loads of 'ball tamperers', Supermen, Bananas in Pyjamas, Pink Ladies, Hippies. You name it, there is a person in the South Stand dressed as it. It gets quite messy but I still don't think I have seen any violence at the Sevens in 3 years. It is such a great atmosphere and so safe for the kids to hang out with friends and then come back when their tummy rumbles. Of course, you see those that have overindulged but what's a ruby game without that ?
There was a loan streaker this year which always upsets Max. He cannot understand why anyone would be so stupid to run on to a pitch when there is decent sport to watch. And then, to be kicked out and not see any more sport - so young and innocent. Lets hope he remembers that in the years to come.
Again, Hong Kong definitely knows how to put on a party and manage the crowds. The location of the Stadium means that most people are walking from the MTR station, meaning getting too and from the ground is simple. It really does make it a fund day out for everyone.
The Australian team didn't fire last weekend, but the Kenyan and Fijian teams were red hot and made it through to the final. Sadly, the Kenyans seem to run out of steam in the final - or maybe Fiji were just too good. Either way they all seem to have a great time and had huge numbers of supporters for both teams.
Sadly, we will not be in Hong Kong next year for the Sevens, but never say never that we won't be back. As Mike said on Sunday to Max - 'I see your future Max and it is you dressed in a pink tutu in the South Stand!'
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