OPEN LETTER TO THE RUGBY COMMUNITY AHEAD OF THE 2025-26 SEASON, HKCR CEO JAMES FARNDON

Dear Rugby Community, 

Rugby has always been about more than just the game. It’s about community, respect, and the shared experience of learning and growing together – especially for our younger players. At Hong Kong China Rugby, we want to ensure that these values remain at the heart of everything we do across all levels and formats of the game.

As the game continues to expand in Hong Kong – and in preparation for the 2025/26 season – we have been reflecting on how we can best support everyone involved to create a positive and respectful environment both on and off the pitch. The behaviour of parents and spectators plays a crucial role in shaping the rugby experience for children, senior players, referees, and coaches alike. 

With that in mind, our Board of Directors and professional staff have recently been working with a breadth of stakeholders from across the game to explore measures to help improve our matchday environments. This group includes representatives from our minis and youth, schools and tertiary institutions, clubs, touch rugby and the referees society, and we thank everyone involved to date. While some items are not yet finalised, members of the group will continue to work on the appropriate steps to take forward, including: 

• A clear and straightforward Minis and Youth Rugby Code of Conduct, to set out the standards we all expect for parents and spectators (which can be read here)
• Better pitch layouts and markings to manage spectator space and reduce congestion, especially around minis and youth games
• The introduction of pitch marshals or additional officials to help manage sideline behaviour and support referees
• A focused social media education campaign to give practical guidance on positive support and respect for referees, players and fellow supporters
• Considering appropriate sanctions for unacceptable behaviour, aimed at maintaining safety and respect on matchdays (noting that serious or ongoing breaches of Codes of Conduct, or unacceptable behaviour, may result in bans from playing and watching rugby in Hong Kong)

This is about all of us working together – clubs, parents, players and officials – to protect what makes rugby a place where players of all ages can enjoy the game and grow in confidence and character. At its core, this is about putting players first, particularly those at minis and youth levels. 

We will keep clubs fully informed as these ideas take shape and in the meantime we welcome your thoughts on how we can support our community in moving forward. 

Thank you for everything you do to keep rugby in Hong Kong a positive, welcoming sport. 

Best Wishes,

James Farndon

CEO, Hong Kong China Rugby