Rugby fever takes hold in Hong Kong

As rugby fans around the globe gear up for the start of the World Cup in New Zealand next week, 80 young Hongkongers were getting their first taste of the game. And judging from the passion for the game on display, maybe there is a star of the future in their ranks.

The six- to 13-year-olds were taking part in a summer programme organised by the Hong Kong Society for Protection of Children along with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) and banking giant HSBC.

Young Post was invited to the last session of the six-week course at King's Park Sports Ground in Ho Man Tin.

It was clear to see the impression the game had made on the children, many of whom had never touched a rugby ball before but were now happily running around showing off their skills.

Six-year-old Ken Cheng Ying-kin said: 'Six lessons are not enough for me. I want to have regular rugby lessons in the future.'

Annie Man Cho-kiu, seven, added: 'I like the games with ball-passing and grabbing. I will definitely sign up for the course again next time.'

Antje Cosgrove, a former member of the Hong Kong national women's rugby team, was one of the coaches helping out.