Hong Kong’s Pot Bellied Pigs RFC back in charity rugby action to help Philippines, Laos and Vietnam
- The charity rugby club, which helps underprivileged people all over Southeast Asia, is back after a year off because of pandemic
- President Garry Kemp says there is ‘eternal optimism’ the touring side will be back on the road raising money soon
Pot Bellied Pigs Rugby Football Club president Garry Kemp said the restrictions placed upon Hongkongers because of Covid-19 give his club members another excuse when it comes to match fitness at this weekend’s Fat Boys 10s at Kowloon Park.
“It is ironic really because the sarcastic side of the Pigs says that there should be no training if you are a Pig,” said Kemp. “You should be retired and it is generally frowned upon to be found training by a fellow club member.”
The “Piggies” as they are known, are entering their 24th year as a charity-based rugby team that helps underprivileged groups across the region.
The touring team has had to hit pause on their trips but they are hoping to kick off a new chapter this weekend with a local tournament instead of their normal outing in the Philippines.
Kemp said the pandemic has devastated their fundraising efforts and they cannot sit idle any more. The group works with various organisations in the Philippines, Laos and Cambodia as well as coordinating vital medical missions with the Returned Services League Australia. This helps provide medicine, vitamins and nutrients for local children in the Pampanga and Zambales regions of the Philippines which are attended by doctors, nurses and volunteers.
“We thought we’d try to do what we could do this year, even if in a more limited way and in our own backyard, to keep the flow of funding going, so things don’t dry up for our partners who are really suffering,” said Kemp, noting the sport lends itself to the ideology of helping others.
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“I am a great believer and have seen it all over the world where I have lived that there is a mindset or values or a culture that is unique to rugby in many ways. There is a natural camaraderie and a willingness to help each other and have a good time, but helping others is a big part of that and something we can see in the Piggies.”
The club has raised funds for a number of organisations around Asia, including the original beneficiary, the now-closed Bahay Bata Centre which helped street children in Angeles in the Philippines. Now the Pigs support the Philippines Rugby Football Union Development Fund, and have played a substantial role in helping grow the Filipino rugby scene.
A number of the original beneficiaries of Bahay Bata have gone on to play rugby, represent the Philippines and work for the country’s rugby union. A number of local clubs have been started via the offshoots of the Piggies’ efforts and financial support.
Kemp said they are expecting 30 teams at Kowloon Park and pulling off the tournament will be a step in the right direction towards past years when they were raising HK$800,000 on average annually. They hope to start touring again soon.
“There is what can be best described as eternal optimism in the club and I think that when it is possible, I expect the Pot Bellied Pigs will pretty quickly hit the road after that,” Kemp said.
“There is huge optimism about touring again soon, and it depends on how many beers you have had when you talk about it, you know, one beer and things look unlikely in the short term, and five beers later it’s let’s head off next week, so still largely touch and go.”
