The long-term future of rugby in Hong Kong will be in the hands of a dozen youngsters this weekend at the Under-20 Asian Sevens Championship in Malaysia.
Hong Kong take part in the 10-team tournament in Johor Bahru knowing a top-three finish will guarantee rugby becoming the first team sport to gain elite status at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
'These guys are carrying a big responsibility. Talk about pressure, this is huge,' said Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Trevor Gregory. 'But I'm very confident they can do it. It is incredibly exciting being on the verge of becoming an elite sport.'
Four members of the squad who lost to Malaysia in last year's final remain - forwards Jack Capon and Adam Butterfield, and backs Josh Peters and Russell Webb.
'They all know what is at stake and the importance of finishing in the top three. But what matters most is winning the tournament and making up for last year's result,' Hong Kong coach Alex Gibbs said.
'The fate of rugby in Hong Kong is in their hands, but rather than looking at it as pressure, the guys are looking at it as a really good opportunity to make history this weekend.'
Rugby has received funding for the past couple of years from the Sports Institute under the Individual Athletes Support Scheme due to the success at the 2009 East Asian Games and the 2010 Asian Games, when Hong Kong's sevens squad won silver medals. But if they clinch elite team status, it will be for a four-year period and they will be able to enjoy the full benefits of the elite academy at Fo Tan, which will include funding for athletes as well as use of the top support system.