Form five student Lai Pak-to said, “Rugby is not just cool; it has helped me improve my communication skills and grow in both body and mind.”
The annual Hong Kong Sevens (HK7s) is the city’s biggest sporting event in April, drawing more than 110,000 spectators both on and off the pitch in a vibrant carnival atmosphere. Fast-paced and highly entertaining, the HK7s captivates audiences not only through its speed and physicality, but also through the strategy on the pitch and the strong team spirit among players. In such a fast-moving game, players must build mutual understanding, constantly coordinating and communicating in order to perform at their best. For form five student Lai Pak-to, this sport has helped him gradually learn how to communicate and build confidence.
Three years ago, Pak-to watched a rugby match online for the first time and was immediately drawn to its intense physicality and fast pace. “It is a thrilling sport,” he said. “The players compete with both skill and strength, and it looks really cool.” Through his school, Pak-to signed up for Jockey Club Rugby United Project. When he first began training, however, he often stayed quietly on the sidelines due to a lack of confidence in speaking English with his foreign teammates and opponents. With the coach’s patient encouragement and help with translation, Pak-to gradually became familiar with rugby-related English terms and began to speak up more with teammates. “At first, I really did not have the confidence to speak up,” he recalled. “I was afraid of talking to people, and speaking English with foreign teammates made me even more nervous. But little by little, I learnt to let go and take the initiative to interact with others.”
Today, Pak-to has transformed into one of the most proactive players on the field, and is able to connect effortlessly with teammates from different backgrounds.
During a friendly match in Malaysia in 2025, tensions flared within the team as the match began to turn against them. In the past, Pak-to might have chosen to stay silent, but this time, with his growing maturity and improved communication skills, he stepped forward to mediate. “Blaming one another will not help,” he told his teammates. “Why don’t we all calm down first and talk through the issue?” His mediation not only helped defuse tensions and rebuild team morale, but also reflected the confidence and communication skills he had developed through the programme. During his rugby journey, Pak-to was at times sidelined by injury, but he never gave up. Instead, he became even more determined to return to the pitch and start again in better form. Through rugby, he has learnt to face setbacks, build resilience through challenges, and gradually develop a stronger and more grounded character.
Rugby’s power to bring people together has also extended into family relationships. For full-time mother Helen Chow, her connection with rugby began with a simple act of maternal love. Her son, a form three student, was full of energy and passionate about the thrilling HK7s. However, as rugby involves a great deal of physical contact and carries a high risk of injury, Helen struggled to understand why her son was so determined to take part, and the two often argued over it. To better understand her son’s world, Helen joined the Jockey Club All About Rugby Programme—Rugby Spirit coach training, taking part in its coach training course for aspiring part-time rugby coaches. This marked not only a personal breakthrough, but also a valuable opportunity for mother and son to reconnect.
During the training, Helen learnt to observe trainees’ emotions from a coach’s perspective and to guide interactions through open-ended questions. She brought this communication style back into her family life, specifically in daily interactions with her son, trying to turn criticism into guidance. “Rather than simply commanding my son to follow the rules or overprotecting him out of worry, I now guide him to take responsibility for his own physical condition and daily routine,” she said. Helen discovered that once she stopped merely standing on the sidelines as an “outsider” and truly became involved, her son became more willing to listen to and respect her views.
Now, they sometimes sit side by side watching rugby matches together. “We analyse team formations and have lively discussions about tactics, giving us many opportunities to talk,” Helen said. Rugby has gradually become a bridge connecting mother and son.
Pak-to’s personal growth, together with Helen’s evolving communication with her son, highlights the many benefits sports can bring. Rugby not only fosters teamwork and communication, but also builds confidence and brings people closer together.
Recognising the benefits of sport in fostering a positive mindset and a healthy community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to facilitating local sports development in Hong Kong and supporting various community sports programmes. We hope that with every pass and catch, participants will not only build stronger connections with others, but also grow in both body and mind.
Did you know?
We work to make rugby more accessible and engaging for all by supporting a range of community initiatives, including The Jockey Club Sevens Community Programmes, The Jockey Club All About Rugby Programme—Rugby Spirit, and the Jockey Club Rugby United Project. These programmes provide participants from different backgrounds with opportunities to experience rugby, while also promoting physical and mental well-being and empowering sport to connect families and strengthen communities.
Athlete Karen Kwok says, “You must accept your own limitations. Do not overthink. Seize every opportunity, discover your interests and strengths, and do your very best in everything.”