Hong Kong landmarks included in Rugby School's 450th anniversary global tour
Joshua Lok
27th March 2017
A game of rugby being played at Rugby School, regarded as the birthplace of the sport.
(Photo credit: Rugby School)
Rugby may now be universally popular but as any knowledgeable rugby fan will tell you, the sport has its humble origins in a small town near Coventry, specifically on the playing fields of Rugby School.
To commemorate 450 years since its foundation, the school is embarking on a journey to trace the development of its greatest export, aiming to carry out a fitting 450 passes at various landmarks across the world.
Having visited Twickenham and Murrayfield, other locations prior to Hong Kong include Stonehenge, Red Square and the resting place of Reverend William Webb Ellis, former Rugby School student and the father of rugby, in the south of France.
The ball arrives in Hong Kong on 29th March (Wednesday), where 25 passes will take place at local landmarks such as the Peak, Man Mo Temple and MacLehose Trail, followed by an appearance at the Hong Kong Stadium on 8th April during the Sevens (check out our Sevens ticket giveaway!) .
The Hong Kong Sevens is set to be one of the stops on the Rugby School's global journey.
Deputy CEO of HKRU, Robbie McRobbie, looks forward to welcoming the Rugby School delegation.
"We are delighted that the Rugby School has allowed us to play a part in such a creative way of commemorating its 450th anniversary," said McRobbie.
"It is with great pleasure that we take the opportunity provided by the Sevens to celebrate the birthplace of rugby".
Peter Green, Headmaster of Rugby School, will also be in attendance at the Sevens.
"The support we have received from the rugby community across the world so far has been fantastic and this is one of the things we are trying to celebrate," he said.
"To be able to include such a internationally-renowned event like the Sevens will undoubtedly be a highlight of our journey!"