Hong Kong Sevens 2024: city’s women catch 3 flights in 30-hour trek to Uruguay ahead of home tournament
- Hong Kong are in a daunting group with Belgium, Kenya and Papua New Guinea at the second Challenger Series leg in Uruguay
- Andy Vilk’s side return to basics in their preparation after three scoreless outings in January’s Dubai stop
Hong Kong’s women’s sevens team are going the extra miles to improve before their home tournament when they play in this week’s World Rugby Challenger Series leg in Uruguay.
A young squad have undertaken a three-flight, 30-hour journey via Qatar and Brazil, monitored by strength and conditioning staff who ensured players kept mobile and minimised screen time to improve sleep.
It will be worth it if they can go into next month’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on a high by performing well in Montevideo, with 34,000 three-day passes sold for the local jamboree.
“It is incomparable to other tournaments … and everyone knows how Hong Kong can throw a party,” squad stalwart Nam Ka-man said. “It is the last year at Hong Kong Stadium, so it will be memorable for the team, and for Hong Kong.”
Head coach Andy Vilk has introduced in-squad mentoring to develop their young stars, with Nam Ka-man taking Julia Mba Oyana and Gabby Rivers under her wing.