'If I've got early training I need to wake up around 6.30am, because the session will start at 7.30am - somewhere like King's Park. I'm pretty hungry when I wake up, so I'll try to buy some bread at a bakery or noodles and eat on the go. Training's quite intense because we have so many demands on our fitness; we'll start with warm-ups, move to fitness blocks then do some technical stuff such as patterns in preparation for the Sevens.
After training I'll head for work, which starts at 9am. I've worked at [Tsunami Sport] for one year. Our core products are jerseys and all sorts of rugby gear, but we also make clothing for football, basketball and other sports. My main task is sales in Hong Kong and I'm also in charge of company graphics, design and product development for our clients. I studied graphic design and am quite interested in it; sometimes I take walks through the streets or malls to spot fashion trends and get some inspiration. I have to work a full-time job to maintain my life, but I joined this company because my boss is my coach and all my colleagues play rugby. I came here because I can work and play at the same time. We have a lunch hour from 1pm to 2pm. Usually we'll order some healthy food, something not too oily, with fresh vegetables, because we're all [rugby] players.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays I have coaching in the afternoon. I coach at three schools. I make good money from coaching but I enjoy my time with the students, because they respect me and play good rugby. I think some of them have the potential to be on the [Hong Kong] team in 10 years. I expect the quality of local players will be better then than now - there's still this part of Chinese culture that doesn't really like boys or girls playing sport as they're supposed to concentrate on their studies. I hope that will change and the [Hong Kong Rugby Football] union will invest more in quality coaching and training in order to develop young players. I often have more training in the evening. Meals are sometimes provided by the union on the pitch and they usually include protein supplements.
Everything will usually finish up around 10.30pm then I'll head home, spend some time on the internet or chatting on [Windows Messenger], maybe watch some television. I'm usually asleep before 1am.
I've played rugby since I was six - I remember my father taking me to the pitch and just letting me go. I didn't have a choice when I was young but I kept at it, going for training every Sunday morning, and it became a habit. Almost all my friends are from the rugby community. Maybe I go to practice not only for training but also to see them. We always have a good time on the pitch.
Most people don't know rugby is actually quite skilful and a very difficult game. It's one of the only sports where you can have full physical contact on the pitch. It's not only for big guys, there are positions for every size and shape - it's a sport almost anyone can enjoy. Smaller people will be placed at the back of the team; they just have to catch the ball and run as fast as they can. I play [half back], basically just trying to control the big guys who protect and retain the ball, or passing the ball to the players who have to penetrate the other squad's [defence]. I've never been seriously injured but my eye was stepped on once and grew huge; it was one big bruise.