China could hold the key to Hong Kong's hockey renaissance, according to new coach Tony Gillon.
A tour to Beijing to play against the Chinese national squad and a visit here by two or three of the top provincial teams from China are being seriously looked at by the Hong Kong Hockey Association (HKHA), which is keen to provide the SAR's Asian Games squad with as much match practice as possible before the Bangkok Games in December.
'Match practice is integral to our programme. We need as much exposure as we can get during our buildup to Bangkok,' said Gillon, a former Australian squad member who has been hired on a short-term contract to prepare Hong Kong for the Asian Games.
A wind of optimism is currently sweeping along the corridors of the HKHA as officials watch Gillon take control of the 24-strong squad.
Hong Kong are currently the top side amongst the second-tier countries in Asia. Now they want to rub shoulders with the big boys.
A two-game trip to Guangzhou last weekend produced mixed results, with Hong Kong sharing the spoils, but the enthusiasm is spreading.
