Hong Kong Sevens 2018: USA, England coach local youth

Internationally-ranked rugby sevens players playing catch with local youth on the fourth floor of a Hong Kong shopping mall…with Fiji rugby legend Waisale Serevi serving as an enthusiastic referee? It was a surreal situation for those watching, but a dream come true for young rugby players to learn from the best at a series of Mini Rugby Clinics ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens 2018.

Perry Baker (center), who currently leads all World Series players this season with 32 tries, with Team USA Captain Ben Pinkelman (right). (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Chris Mattina signs an autograph for a young rugby player. (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Six men’s teams (Brazil, Argentina, USA, England, New Zealand, Mexico) and one women’s squad (Poland) coached members of Hong Kong youth rugby teams at the Hysan Place Sky Garden. On April 1, the USA team – featuring 2017 World Rugby Series Player of the Year Perry Baker – participated in some passing drills. The Eagles’ head coach and former England standout Mike Friday took over the second half, gradually tossing in more balls to pick up the pace.

Later in the day, Team England participated in a similar set of drills with a different group of young players, this time with Serevi serving as the coach. With the Commonwealth Games event set to take place in Australia the week after the Hong Kong Sevens, the majority of the Team England members attending consisted of younger players from the university and academy levels.

Waisale Serevi, who won the Hong Kong Sevens seven times as a player, gives out instructions at the Team England Mini Rugby Clinic. (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Afterwards Serevi – who could be seen filming some of the action with his mobile phone – thanked the teams for participating. “To give one hour for the kids, I think it means a lot to them,” he told the England players. “When I was playing, nobody came down to my level to help me get up.”

Photos: Team USA Mini Rugby Clinic – Hong Kong Sevens, Apr. 1, 2018
all photos by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine