Dream becomes reality for Hong Kong men’s sevens captain Max Woodward
Forward has gone from Hong Kong Sevens debut to relishing the test of leading Bauhinia side in their bid to qualify for Rio Olympics
Max Woodward shakes his head at the thought because, let's face it, it wasn't really that long ago that he was out at King's Park on a Saturday morning scrambling around with his mini rugby mates, sharing their dreams.
"When I was younger the big one was playing the Hong Kong Sevens," says Woodward. "Back in the day that was the pinnacle, the dream, but now there are all these opportunities past that. It's just superb for us all."
From dream to reality. That pretty much sums up Woodward's life over the past year or so as he has gone from making his debut at the Hong Kong Sevens to now preparing to lead Hong Kong into the Asia Rugby Sevens Qualifier next weekend.
We’re lucky to have this Asian tournament. In Europe and Oceania, there are limited spots, so this is a really good opportunity for us
Win that and Rio awaits as sevens makes its debut at the Olympics next year. Sporting dreams don't loom much larger than that and Woodward - who only took over the Hong Kong captaincy in September - says he is ready to grab the opportunity with both hands.
"It's enormous," says the 24-year-old after a hit-out with the national squad. "I played domestic senior rugby here when I was younger and just to see how far it has come, to have it now as a job and a career here in Hong Kong is fantastic. To have sevens as an Olympic sport is incredible.
WATCH: Max Woodward in training and hear his thoughts on what lies ahead for Hong Kong
"We're lucky to have this Asian tournament. In Europe and Oceania, there are limited spots, so this is a really good opportunity for us and I hope we can deliver next weekend."
While the official announcement of the Hong Kong squad - both men's and women's - is set for Sunday afternoon in a ceremony at King's Park, it's a given that Woodward will be named captain, following on from being named the players' player of the year last season, as well as picking up Hong Kong's player of the year award in both sevens and 15s.
The responsibility that comes with captaincy has also brought its challenges as Hong Kong have played their way to second in the Asian Sevens Series, and come into next weekend's tournament fresh off a stern test they faced last week at the Central Coast Sevens in Australia against some very physical outfits from Fiji, New Zealand and the home nation.
No one likes someone moaning at them on the field. It’s a tough environment and there’s no hiding places for any of us
"It's been a little hard to get used to, that thinking about the bigger picture [with the captaincy]," says Woodward. "I do lose my rag a little bit sometimes. But I think I have learnt to be patient. No one likes someone moaning at them on the field. It's a tough environment and there's no hiding places for any of us."
The coming weekend sees Hong Kong drawn in pool B, alongside Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines and Iran, while pool A comprises powerhouse Japan, alongside South Korea, China, Singapore and Taiwan.
Easier to look at on paper, but that's all, says Woodward.
"Given that we struggled a bit against China this year it is nice to avoid them, but teams like Sri Lanka pose their different threats," he says.
"They're small, agile and that's tough on a bigger pitch like here in Hong Kong. It's a different ask but to avoid the big physical fellas on the first day is good.
"From there we all know Japan have their experience, they have the large player base to draw players from. But we've dealt with it in the past and hopefully we can do that again."
