HONG KONG CHINA RUGBY BECOMES FIRST INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION TO JOIN SPORTS FOR NATURE INITIATIVE

This Earth Day, Hong Kong China Rugby is pleased to announce we have become the first international rugby union and first Hong Kong-based organisation to join the Sports For Nature initiative. 

The initiative aims to tap into the enormous potential of sports as a vehicle, and deliver transformative action for nature by 2030 and beyond, enabling sports to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration. It provides a game plan for sports at all levels to accelerate and inspire others to take action for nature. As a signatory, Hong Kong China Rugby takes on the responsibility for educating our rugby community and driving positive change by committing to four key pillars:

• Protecting nature and avoiding damage to natural habitats and species
• Restore and regenerate nature wherever possible
• Understand and reduce risks to nature in our supply chains
• Educate and inspire positive action for nature across and beyond sport 

HKCR General Manager, Club Development and Sustainability Jamie Farndale is thrilled about committing to a globally recognised activation: “As an outdoor sport, rugby is utterly dependent on nature. Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to contribute to research focusing on extreme heat and its associated risks to sport. With Hong Kong facing rising temperatures, increased black rain events, flooding, and drought, rugby is facing increasing challenges.”

“Nature not only provides us with our playground - the space in which we train, play, and compete - but it also helps protect us from these increasing risks. It provides us with clean air, fresh water, nutritious food, and the resources and materials necessary to make rugby possible.” 

“At Hong Kong China Rugby, we recognise the crucial link between our sport and the health of our environment. We are proud to pledge our commitment to utilising our platform to protect and restore the natural world that sustains us."

Sam Barratt, Chief of Youth Education and Advocacy, UN Environment is equally enthused about HKCR’s participation: 

“It’s great to have Hong Kong China Rugby joining the Sports for Nature initiative. All over the world, keeping the game in play is getting harder with more extreme weather. Nature is a critical ally that can help sports be resilient, and Sports for Nature is a collective of sports working to conserve, restore and act for nature with their athletes and fans on board. We hope that they’ll set the pace for others to follow.”  

For more information, please reach out to Jamie Farndale at Hong Kong China Rugby here. 

Learn more about Sports for Nature here.