Howzit-HongKong attended the local-leg of the HSBC HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour at the Hong Kong Football Club earlier today.

Japan coach John Kirwan showed his passion for the development of rugby in Asia as he taught aspiring local youngsters the finer points of the game.  JK, as Kirwan is affectionately known, was ably assisted by former Scotland coach Frank Hadden and Malaysia coach Dean Herewini, representing the HSBC Penguin International Coaching Academy.

“I believe that there is huge potential for rugby in Asia so it’s great for me to work with local kids and get them enthused about the game. It’s really good for me to give back to the game as well, as I have got a lot out of it,” said Kirwan, who is contributing to the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour while leading Japan around the continent as they bid for a fourth straight HSBC Asian 5 Nations title.

The former New Zealand winger, who has been in Hong Kong for over a week, launched this year’s HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour in Hong Kong in March along with fellow All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

Sharing the knowledge: The Penguins’ Dean Herewini exchanges ideas with a local coach (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Jonny Hamp, Head of Rugby Sponsorship – Asia, said: “HSBC is teaming up with ARFU to encourage more youngsters to take up the game of rugby through the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour and it’s rewarding to see how this is already achieving its goals.

“HSBC sponsors every level of rugby from grassroots coaching to world-class competitions and teams, so it’s important to us that the coaching clinics we’ve had today continue around Asia as we look to grow the popularity of this great sport around the region.”

HSBC ARFU Coaching Tour 2011

March 23 Hong Kong

April 20-23 Colombo, Sri Lanka

April 28-30 Hong Kong

May 5-7 Bangkok, Thailand

May 11-13 Dubai, UAE

May 19-21 Hong Kong

May 19-21 Colombo, Sri Lanka

June 2-4 Incheon/Seoul, Korea

(Further dates may be added and will be confirmed in due course)

We pulled Kirwan away from his busy task and asked him a few questions:

(Video formatted for iPhone. More images on our Flickr page)

Coming straight after the opening Major of the year, The Masters Tournament from 7-10 April, Nike Golf team up with Nike Athlete Tiger Woods for the first Nike Golf “Make It Matter” Tour in China and Korea.

The Nike “Make It Matter” Tour aims to illuminate the sport of golf in Asia among youth, golf fans and aspiring athletes alike — all through the insights shared by Woods as it relates to golf, including athletic training, practicing, preparing for competition and product innovation.

The Tour’s first stop in Asia is the Mission Hills Golf Club, marking the second time the club has hosted Woods. His inaugural visit 10 years ago was a landmark event for Chinese golf development, raising the game’s profile both domestically and overseas.

An excited Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Golf Club said: “We warmly welcome the return of Tiger Woods. Ten years ago, his visit was an important milestone for Mission Hills and the golf community in China.

“Mission Hills has long been committed to developing golf events for young people and training the next generation of players in China. We lookforward to cooperate with Nike Golf and hope Tiger Woods’ strong appeal will attract more enthusiasts into the game of golf, especially among our younger athletes.”

As part of the Nike “Make It Matter” Tour, Mission Hills will host the Nike Golf Junior Championships for golfers aged 12 to 18.

The tournament will be held from 11-12 April at the Mission Hills Duval Course, with 120 young golfers competing for the chance to meet Woods in person. All contestants will also be invited to participate in the Tiger Woods Golf Clinic on 12 April on the Olazabal Course.

During his last visit 10 years ago, junior golfers such as Han Ren and Feng Yue had the chance to play with Woods, with both going to become some of China’s leading amateur golfers after that experience.

Woods will also share some of Nike Golf’s innovative new products with the junior golfers, alongside Nike Golf President Cindy Davis.

Nike Golf ‘Make It Matter’ Asia Tour activities include ：

· Tiger Woods Golf Clinic

· Tiger Woods demonstration

· Tiger Woods discussion on product development

· Tiger Woods and Cindy Davis media meeting

· Tiger Woods discussion on player exercise/training

(Additional image of Tiger Woods by http://americansportss.wikispaces.com/Golf)

World No.1 Lee Westwood will headline a quartet of golfing greats at the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship in Korea this April.

The English ace will be joined by South African superstar Ernie Els, world No.10 Ian Poulter and Asia’s first Major winner, YE Yang, as the tournament moves to the prestigious Blackstone Resort in Seoul.

Westwood will be making his first visit to Korea since playing in the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju.

In the 21 months since he has been in superb form – winning the inaugural Race to Dubai in 2009, claiming four top-three finishes in Majors, winning on the US Tour for the first time in a decade, and ending Tiger Woods’ five-year reign at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the Ballantine’s Championship in 2009 and I’m very much looking forward to returning to the tournament this year,” said Westwood.

“It is exciting that the event is moving to Blackstone Resort, I’ve heard great things about the venue and, like the vast majority of the players, it will be my first time there so it promises to be quite a challenge. “I enjoyed a fantastic 2010 and becoming the world No.1 has been the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition. Obviously, I’m very keen to maintain the momentum in 2011 so I’m aiming to put on a great display for the Korean fans.

“Korea has really put itself on the world golf map these past few years with the performances of its top players and the facilities there are second to none, so it has all the makings of a great week.”

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship – once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA – will be played at Blackstone Resort in Icheon, just south of Seoul, from 28 April to 1 May. The club will host the event for at least the next three years.

It will be the first time that the exclusive venue – which opened only in 2009 and has just 300 members – has hosted a professional tournament.

Ernie Els has more than 60 victories worldwide including three Majors – the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and the British Open in 2002.

He recently won the South African Open Championship for an astonishing fifth time and will be looking to make it third time lucky at the Ballantine’s Championship after top 10 finishes in the past two years.

“I’ve got off to a great start this season and hopefully I can maintain this form throughout the year,” he said.

“I enjoyed my two previous visits to the Ballantine’s Championship and both times I was in with a shout going into the final day, so the aim this time is to take any chances that come my way and be in the mix again on Sunday.”

Ian Poulter in Hong Kong (Pic: Getty Images)

Ian Poulter will be appearing in the Ballantine’s Championship for the first time although he previously finished runner-up in the 2008 Korean Open.

He enjoyed a career year in 2010 – becoming the first English winner of a WGC event when he captured the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, then playing a starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup success, before ending the year on a high with victory in the Hong Kong Open.

“I’ve got fond memories of my last appearance in Korea so I’m really looking forward to making my Ballantine’s Championship debut,” said Poulter.

“I’ve heard great things about the tournament from my fellow professionals and I’m told the Blackstone course is exceptional, so it promises to be a great week. I had a wonderful 2010 and I’m very optimistic about what this year holds in store for me.”

Korean YE Yang made history – and earned hero status in his native Korea – in 2009 by becoming Asia’s first Major winner when he fended off Woods to clinch the US PGA Championship. Now he is looking forward to his third appearance in the Ballantine’s Championship.

“It’s always a thrill to play in front of my home fans so I’m full of anticipation for this year’s Ballantine’s Championship,” he said. “The Korean galleries are always so supportive and knowledgeable and they love seeing the home players mix it with some of the world’s best.

“It’s fantastic for Korean golf that the Ballantine’s Championship is going from strength to strength and this year’s tournament promises to be the best yet.”

Korea’s YE Yang (Pic: SportyDeskTops)

Cricketers from UK, Australia, Shanghai, Thailand and Hong Kong will be enjoying the camaraderie and competition of the 9th annual Hong Kong Cricket Festival this weekend (3-5th December) at Hong Kong’s newest cricket venue, Kai Tak Cricket Ground, site of the famous former airport.

The award winning Festival, part of the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour and hosted by Lamma Cricket Club, gets underway on Friday 3rd December at 1.30pm with a Twenty20 match featuring players from Shanghai Dragons & Pirates versus a combined Honourable Horse Artillery / CBB side in what promises to be an entertaining match up.

The sixes part of the cricket Festival will be played all day Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm.

Spectators and supporters, possibly feeling Ashes fever, are very welcome to come down to the picturesque ground in Kowloon City and enjoy the atmosphere.

For further information see the tournament website at www.hkcricketfestival.com

Here’s a teaser from last year’s Private Capital Cricket Festival:

After 25 of making hit music, Simply Red is calling it quits.

“Welcome to the final year of 25 mind-blowing years,” lead-singer Mick Hucknall said when the band announced their final tour. “What an adventure it has been.”

“I could never have imagined my career would bring me so far,” added Hucknall. “We want to share this closing anniversary with all the people who have enjoyed our sound throughout the years. Celebrate it and gently move on to the second half of a musical story. We all hope to see you at a show somewhere soon.”

Simply Red grew out of Manchester and their first UK university/club tour in 1985 and quickly graduated to Europe and the USA in 1986.

By 1987 they had conquered New Zealand and Australia and in 1989 they toured South America and Japan for the first time. By 1990 they had become a true global arena act and continued at that level until this day. They have played 3 sold out shows at the HK Coliseum in 1992. Last year’s Greatest Hits tour notched up a further 1 million people across the World.

Simply Red will play their final Farewell shows after a quarter of a century of touring, allowing Mick Hucknall to pursue a solo career and begin a brand new chapter.

The band will play their final farewell shows in South America in April, then in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK from September to December.

Catch Simply Red, live in Hong Kong:

Wednesday September 22 at HKCEC Hall 5BC

Tickets: HK$380 HK$680 HK$980 HK$1280

Tickets available: at HK Ticketing and Tom Lee Outlets

Booking Hotline: (852) 31-288-288 Online Booking: www.hkticketing.com

General Enquiries: (852) 2989 9239

Here is classic Mick Hucknall from 1985:

(Source: hkclubbing.com)

Thousands of rugby fans witnessed some of the finest silverware on offer in the game when the South African Rugby Union’s Champions Tour made its first five stops in and around Cape Town during the past four days.

Pride of place on the impressive customised truck is reserved for current Springbok Sevens captain Mzwandile Stick, shown in full flight.

The Tour started on Friday morning at the University of the Western Cape(UWC), where schoolchildren from primary schools in the area were the first to set foot on SARU’s 15-metre trailer filled with every trophy won by South African teams during an incredible 2009, as well as the Rugby World Cup. UWC students and staffed also flocked to the truck, taking time out from their studies to see trophies such as the Webb Ellis Cup, the Vodacom Tri-Nations trophy and the very popular Absa Currie Cup, amongst others.

The weekend’s activities concluded with Stormers players, including Springbok wing Bryan Habana, joining the Champion Tour at Canal Walk. “You, the fans, stand central to all the successes we’ve achieved on the rugby fields of the world during the last few years. Without you, this Tour would not have been possible and it’s great to be able to give back in this way,”said Habana.

The Champion Tour also called in at one of the oldest Test venues in the world – Newlands. Kids and their parents camping on the hallowed turf as part of a sleepover organized by Club Newlands walked over to see the trophies.

Saturday was spent at the very impressive new Cape Town Stadium, one of the host stadiums for the FIFA Soccer World Cup. Thousands of supporters who attended the friendly match between Boland and the Vodacom Stormers crossed the truck – which proved a very popular attraction during an history day with the first rugby match in the new stadium in Green Point.

On Sunday the Champion Tour went to two very popular Cape Town shopping spots – first up was Kenilworth Centre after which it wound its way to Canal Walk, where Habana was among the Vodacom Stormers signing autographs.

The Champions Tour now enters the Boland and Griquas regions, with stops planned in Paarl, Stellenbosch, Robertson, Worcester and Wellington before it heads up the West Coast.

The Springboks will play all four of the ‘Home Unions’ in November as part of their end-of-year tour. SARU made the announcement today (Friday, January 29, 2010) following confirmation of the fixture programme by the International Rugby Board (IRB). 

The Springboks start the tour against Ireland in Dublin on November 6, having accepted an invitation to provide the opposition for hosts Ireland when they officially open the new Aviva Stadium (the redeveloped Lansdowne Road).

 The Springboks then play Wales, Scotland and England on the following Saturdays. The tour is planned to end with a fixture against the Barbarians at a venue to be confirmed.

Meanwhile the venue of the Springboks’ season-opening Test against France on June 12 remains undecided. SARU are hoping to meet the local organising committee of the FIFA 2010 World Cup to arrive at a final decision on the availability of the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.

Springbok end-of-year tour fixtures: 

Saturday, November 6, Ireland v South Africa (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

Saturday, November 13, Wales v South Africa (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)

Saturday, November 20, Scotland v South Africa (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)

Saturday, November 27, England v South Africa (Twickenham, London)

Saturday, December 4, Barbarians v South Africa (TBC)

Stay close to Howzit-HongKong.com to hear where we in Hong Kong will follow the Springboks on their end-of-year tour… right here in the SAR!

If you enjoyed the recent Hong Kong Cricket Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club, or even if you missed it, you’ll be glad to know that yet another “long weekend” of action packed Cricket Sixes is coming to Hong Kong.

The Asian Cricket Sixes Tour (ACST) comprises a series of action packed “long weekend” cricket sixes tournaments attracting club teams, players, officials and suporters from the Asia Pacific region and around the world.  It  includes tournaments in Phuket, the Philippines, China, Australia, Singapore and Vietnam.

The Eighth Hong Kong Cricket Festival, organised by the Lamma Cricket Club is part of this Sixes Tour and this year the Hong Kong leg will be held at the Mission Road Cricket Ground, Tin Kwong Road, Kowloon from 4 – 6th December.  The weekend’s action will feature up to eighteen teams including local sides as well as clubs flying into Hong Kong from around the Asia Pacific region to compete in the three day tournament in Men’s and Women’s Divisions.

Teams sign up for the camaraderie, the competition, the opportunity to play with cricket legends and also, the full schedule of leisure and hospitality activities in fantastic locations around the Asia Pacific region.

Organisers of the Hong Kong Cricket Festival today also announced that Private Capital Ltd, a leading investment advisory firm, will be the new headline sponsors of the local tournament.

“We’re thrilled that Private Capital Ltd have come on board as headline sponsors of this year’s Festival,” said Tournament Director Brad Tarr of organisers Lamma Cricket Club.

“This is the eighth year of the tournament and with over ten clubs flying into Hong Kong to compete in the event, including women’s teams, it’s going to be another superb weekend of cricket camaraderie,” Mr Tarr continued.

Mr Rick Adkinson, MD at Private Capital Ltd said, “We were delighted when approached to support the 8th Hong Kong Cricket Festival. The tournament, with its mix of local and international participants and emphasis on the ‘spirit of cricket’ is an ideal fit for our business and we’re really looking forward to an excellent weekend both on and off the field.”

Cricket with a Heart

The tournaments that make up the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour have a heart too. A highlight for many participants is the knowledge that the ACST also supports the communities in which the tournaments are held, by supporting local charities and by helping develop youth cricket. 

The tournaments in the ACST Series have been recognised for their positive contributions to cricket development with a number of prestigious awards received from the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council.

The 2008 Hong Kong Cricket Festival (Pic: HKCF FaceBook page)

Festival Fact Sheet of The Private Capital Hong Kong Cricket Festival 2009

Dates: 4 – 6th December 2009

Venue: Mission Road Cricket Ground, Tin Kwong Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Times: 9am – 5pm daily

Entry: free for all spectators

Organisers: Lamma Cricket Club

Paul O Connell, Captain of the British & Irish Lions Tour to SA

Rugby pundits across South Africans and the UK are unanimous in their prediction that the British & Irish Lions side selected was done so as to take the Springboks on where it matters: up front. 

The side, made up primarily by Irish and Welsh players are mostly known as tough, hardy ruggers and were picked to take the South Africans on at their own game: the forwards.

The following from Sport24:

By Stephen Nell – Die Burger

Cape Town – The British and Irish Lions are planning to take on the Springboks at their own traditional strengths in the series of three Tests in June and July.

That was the reaction on Tuesday from a panel of experts approached by Sport24 following the announcement of the squad for the tour of 10 games in South Africa.

Alan Solomons, Eddie Jones, Jake White and Cobus Visagie all agreed that Ian McGeechan (head coach) made a good selection and believe the Lions will take South Africa on physically.

“The Lions are not going to be out to entertain. They have picked a very physical squad,” said Solomons, who is a former Bok assistant coach and has also been at the helm of Irish side Ulster.

He believes the choice of Paul O’Connell as captain, as well as three physical scrumhalves – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Tomas O’Leary – underline that point. 

“O’Connell was a very good choice as captain. He has done an excellent job at Munster and has a hard edge,” said Solomons. Mike Phillips reminds me of Robert du Preez (a former Blue Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf). All the scrumhalves are big and physical. 

Mike Blair and Dwayne Peel (who were omitted) are more classic scrumhalves that are perhaps better passers of the ball. This sends a clear signal on how the Lions intend playing.

The two flyhalves (Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara) are good at game management. They kick well at goal and their tactical kicking is also good.”

Jones, a former Wallaby boss who coached Saracens until recently, also believes the Lions have picked a squad that can stand their ground physically.

“They have picked big and aggressive forwards. They will definitely be out to take South Africa on physically,” he said.  There are not many surprises among the backs. I don’t think they’ll be out to beat South Africa with flair. I doubt we’ll see high scores in the games. It’s going to be hard and uncompromising. The Lions will have a very recognisable style of play.

“The big question is whether they have enough talent. If you weigh the sides against one another, South Africa will have more talent at their disposal.”

McGeechan surprised by not picking the captains of Scotland (Blair), Wales (Ryan Jones) and England (Steve Borthwick). Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will play a supporting role under O’Connell.

White, who coached South Africa in their triumphant World Cup campaign, was impressed by the manner in which McGeechan approached the issue of leadership.

“It shows he has his own vision and that sends a very good signal to the players. I have to compliment him on that,” said White.

“He did not fall into the trap of sentimental choices. Some people would have wanted Borthwick there because he is England’s captain and Ryan Jones would have had a lot of support in Wales.

“O’Driscoll is also not the skipper, irrespective of the reverence in which he is held in Ireland. With the squad he picked, McGeechan is also keeping his cards close to his chest with regards the first 15 for the tests.”

Visagie, a former Bok tighthead prop who now plays for Saracens, also sees a physical onslaught coming South Africa’s way.

“The choice of O’Connell ahead of O’Driscoll tells you what the philosophy will be. They wanted a skipper that can impose himself physically,” said Visagie.

“Simon Shaw over Borthwick is a further indication. Shaw is a bruiser and Borthwick a lineout specialist. However, I think South Africa have the ability to dominate the Lions physically.”

For those rugby-mad South Africans out here on this side of the noodle-gordyn, in case you missed it, the touring side for the 2009 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa has been announced.  Here at Howzit-HongKong! HQ were are chomping at the bit and have subsequently opened a special catagory on the website.  So, as they say in media circles, stay tuned for all the latest, especially where and when we can catch all the games… right here on Howzit-HongKong!

Bokke Bo!

British & Irish Lions onner!