Let’s Ruck: Here are Four of the Best Rugby Clubs in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a rich and longstanding history of rugby. The Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) bears witness to this, as it has been around in Happy Valley since Feb. 16, 1886. It is known as the first civilian rugby club in the region and is believed to be the "birthplace of rugby in Hong Kong” after it played against the Garrison XV and the HKFC All Comers XV. It went on to play against rugby teams from the Royal Hong Kong Police, Royal Navy, and other personnel stationed in the area.

Today, rugby remains a famous sport among Hong Kongers, with a slew of clubs available to join by those interested in being involved in rugby or just plain want to learn what the sport is about. Interested to ruck? Here are some clubs you may check out to explore rugby in Hong Kong.

Discovery Bay Pirates RFC

The Discovery Bay (DB) Pirates Club only came to fore in 2005, but it has since gone on and seen its players win trophies, honours, and represent the club at nationals. The club has other sports apart from rugby, such as netball, dragon boating, and hockey for mini rugby, youth, seniors, and piratas. Its mini rugby program caters to those aged five to 12 years old, as well as both boys and girls with no prior sport experience needed. Its seniors' program, on the other hand, is perfect for those who are a bit more experienced. DB Pirates holds Tuesday and Thursday practice nights for its seniors' group, beginning 9 AM to 9 PM for the former and until 8:30 PM for the latter.

Location: Discovery Bay Pirates RFC, Room 606, 6F Hollywood Centre, 77-91 Queens Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Gai Wu Rugby Football Club

Gai Wu Rugby Football Club is known as the second largest club in Hong Kong and is also credited for starting the first local women’s rugby team in Hong Kong. The club has been around since 1987 when rugby enthusiasts banded together to create a space for local Chinese players and Eurasians in Hong Kong to play the sport. If you're a woman who's interested in learning the sport of rugby yourself, you can count on Gai Wu to deliver, thanks to its history of excellence in the sport and for championing female rugby players in Hong Kong.

Location: Gai Wu Rugby Football Club, Hong Kong, Happy Valley, Sports Rd, Happy Valley Recreation Ground

Kowloon Rugby Club

Kowloon Rugby Football Club was established in 1976 and is steadfast in its commitment to promote the sport and develop its players to reach their highest potential on and off the field. The club consists of different programs and squads, namely the Men’s Elite Squad, the Ladies Elite Squad, Men’s Development Squad, Social Rugby, Kowloon Stingrays Academy, and Domestic Helper Touch Rugby. Kowloon Rugby Club also offers other sports, such as netball, cricket, and football. Those who wish to be members of the club may register online for its 2022/23 Memberships. Prices range from HK$300 for a community membership up to HK$2,700 for a gold membership.

Location: Kowloon Rugby Club, King's Park Sports Ground, Wylie Road, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Scottish Rugby Football Club

This club, which was launched in April 2011, is comprised of four men's rugby teams and two women's teams. It stems from the London Scottish FC, which exiled Scots from more than 100 years ago decided to form. They built a relationship with the Nomads Rugby Club, as well as the significant Scottish community in Hong Kong, thus giving birth to Hong Kong Scottish.

Its rugby membership will have you go through twice-a-week training sessions with an actual coach and includes a kit comprising a training T-shirt, a singlet or aftermatch shirt, shorts, and socks, among others. The Hong Kong Scottish also offers memberships for other sports like netball and football.

Location: Hong Kong Scottish Rugby Football Club, 8/F, 72 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong