As we come to the end of another HSBC Asian Sevens Series and as I prepare to step back from coaching and settle into a new overarching role at the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union as head of technical development and performance, it seems the right time to pause and reflect on the recent success of our international programmes. I am pleased to report that the game in Hong Kong has reached new heights both at domestic and international levels. On the international front, the comprehensive national programmes put in place by the HKRFU have been the most significant move forward in local rugby over the past five years. This intensive development has produced championships at Asian Youth Games and Asian Schools Championship level, along with medals at the Asian and National Games level and of course Hong Kong’s first Asian Men’s Sevens title over arch rivals Japan in 2012. Earlier this month, the men’s sevens team achieved their overall target for the season by finishing among the top two teams in this year’s Asian Sevens Series and booking a spot in the international qualification tournament at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens next March. In a few short months at the Hong Kong Stadium, the Hong Kong Men’s Sevens squad will have a shot at becoming the first Asian team to earn promotion as a core side on the HSBC Sevens World Series in 2015. While the mud has barely dried on the player’s boots from a rainy Singapore Sevens, the team are already preparing for the challenge and looking forward to the outstanding support they always receive at home. At 15-a-side, Hong Kong continue to demonstrate consistency in their development through the HSBC Asian 5 Nations (A5N) tournament and, alongside Japan, are one of only two teams to retain their status in the top flight since the tournament’s inception in 2008. Next April’s A5N will be hugely significant as our men’s side will be hoping to secure a top-two finish to keep hopes alive of qualification for Rugby World Cup 2015. On the domestic 15s front, the Paul Y leagues are growing from strength to strength. The introduction of “Super Saturday” Premiership matches three times a season has created another level of interest and increased competition. An initiative like this joint partnership between the HKRFU and South China Morning Post will further reward the intensity of our domestic competition by providing vital awareness of 15-a-side rugby here in Hong Kong, the home of sevens. The year past has also seen Hong Kong rugby successfully mark our 60th anniversary. But in years to come I believe 2013 will be more notable as a watershed for the future of the game in Hong Kong as for the first time we now have full-time players engaged in the new HKSI Elite Rugby Sevens programme across men’s and women’s teams. Many of these players will transfer their skills and training to both our men’s and women’s 15s teams – growing our competitiveness across all codes of the game. The progression to effectively full-time athletes for rugby will be a key benefit in closing the gap between Hong Kong and Japan – who have benefited from full-time professional structures for decades. On a personal note, 2014 will definitely be a huge transition in rugby for Dai Rees. With the sevens programme becoming full-time at the HKSI my coaching days are over (“on hold”), with fellow Welshman Gareth Baber taking on the head coach role from January 2014. His first assignment will be to qualify for the IRB World Sevens Series in March – no pressure, Gareth! We were also able to engage a hugely accomplished women’s coach in ex-New Zealand star Anna Richards. Having Anna and Gareth involved in the Elite programme at the HKSI will be a huge boost to the game in terms of increasing an already high standard, as well as aiding player recruitment and retention. I think it safe to say that this will be a turning point in the game on the local sporting landscape. I would like to take this opportunity thank all the players and management involved in the men’s sevens over the last four years for giving me some of my best ever rugby moments in a lifetime of involvement with the sport. If I list them out, the following memories will always rank high for me: Hong Kong beating my former team Wales 21-19 at the Hong Kong Sevens; winning the Silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games Rugby Sevens tournament, claiming the shield at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2010; and progressing through to the bowl finals against England last year. But most importantly are the friendships and support I have received from the Hong Kong rugby community. Hong Kong rugby is very special and the RFU is a great place to work. I look forward to transitioning into my new role and supporting all of our national teams at both sevens and 15s. And I look forward to sharing the results of all of the HKRFU’s efforts (both on and off the pitch) with the South China Morning Post ’s readers as we mark new milestones in the long and proud history of rugby in Hong Kong.