HKRFU names its first 10 icons for new rugby Hall of Fame

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union on Friday night inducted 10 people into its new Hall of Fame, recognising a mix of union presidents, chairmen and other honorary officers, influential players and volunteers who have each left an indelible mark on Hong Kong rugby.

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Hall of Famers (from left) Chan Fuk-ping, Rambo Leung and Jacky Ng pose at Friday’s awards dinner with HKRFU chairman Trevor Gregory and fellow inductees Ash Billington, Dave Lewis and Ruth Mitchell. With them are Lorna Meads and Jon Abel, who attended the event on behalf of their father, the late Larry Abel. Photo: HKRFU

Published: 9:45pm, 16 May 2014Updated: 7:03pm, 20 May 2014

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union on Friday night inducted 10 people into its new Hall of Fame, recognising a mix of union presidents, chairmen and other honorary officers, influential players and volunteers who have each left an indelible mark on Hong Kong rugby.

The inductees in the inaugural class were RA De Rome, Hugh Moss Gerald “Gerry” Forsgate, Arthur Dennison Cooley “Tokkie” Smith, Larry Abel, Ruth Mitchell, Ashley Billington, David Lewis, Jacky Ng Shu-wai, Chan Fuk-ping and Rambo Leung Yung-kit.

The man behind the Hong Kong Sevens, ADC ‘Tokkie’ Smith, said after the first one in 1976 that is was the “most colourful day of international sport I have ever seen”. Photo: SCMP Pictures

“The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce the creation of our Hall of Fame,” chief executive Vern Reid said. “The purpose is to honour and recognise athletes, administrators and others who have made a vital contribution over the 60 years of our existence.

“The recipients of the inaugural award are broadly representative of the entire rugby community and they have each demonstrated the highest calibre of competition, sportsmanship and support for the game. This inaugural class has set the bar very high for future nominees,” Reid said.

De Rome was a driving force behind the establishment of the HKRFU and served a six-year term as chairman from 1952 to 1958.

Forsgate was president for 23 years from 1977-2000 and was also captain of the first ever “All-Hong Kong” team on their 1952 tour to Japan – marking the first sporting interaction between the United Kingdom and Japan since the second world war.

Another pioneer recognised was “Tokkie” Smith, widely regarded as the architect of the Hong Kong Sevens, hashing the concept out with former tobacco company executive Ian Gow.