The China National Rugby Team Visits WASHZ

21 to 22 September marked the successful hosting of the 2024 Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Hangzhou, the sole domestic host for the tournament in 2024.

WASHZ's rugby team featured in an exclusive exhibition contact rugby match, showcasing their skills on this high-profile stage.

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As a prestigious British-style boarding school, Wycombe Abbey School Hangzhou not only upholds the rich academic traditions of the UK but also proudly showcases a distinct advantage in British sports.

The Chinese National Rugby Sevens team recently visited WASHZ, offering a high-level training session for the school's young rugby players the day before?the national team embarked on their two-day Asia Series journey. This gave our school team an invaluable opportunity to interact with professional athletes, facilitating the sharing of practical skills and the perpetuation of sportsmanship.

Former professional rugby player?and coach of the school's U15 team, Jean-Pierre Jamieson,?believes that training alongside the national team is an excellent learning experience for a rugby team that has only been established for three years.

Regarding the invitation to compete in the exhibition match, Coach Jamieson thinks it is a great honour for the players and a valuable practice opportunity before the new season. He also explained that the WASHZ rugby team plans to attend more tournaments in the new academic year and even hopes to participate in international events.

The WASHZ Rugby Programme was launched three years ago and currently has multiple?teams, including U15 Boys, U12 Boys, and U10 Mixed.

Speaking about the initiation, Coach Ryan Naidoo, who has been instrumental in establishing the rugby programme from scratch, believes that the true charm of the sport lies in its ability to unite people. This sport does not idolise 'heroes'; every player plays their part and contributes to the team's victory.

The values Coach Naidoo loves about rugby are the foundation upon which the sport has gradually gained recognition: unity, collaboration, and sharing glory.

After three years of development, the WASHZ Rugby Team has emerged as a formidable force in Hangzhou and surrounding regions.

Coach Naidoo highlighted their regular joint training sessions with the Hangzhou "Harlequins" Rugby Club, noting how strong community spirit has made rugby a flagship sport at WASHZ, uniting many enthusiasts in the city. He added that the school’s commitment to rugby enabled the team to showcase their talents in the Asia Series.

The Hangzhou Rugby Association hosted a prestigious Rugby Festival at WASHZ earlier this year. Teams from cities such as Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Jiaxing gathered to showcase their unity and courage in intense and exciting matches. The WASHZ rugby team also accumulated valuable practical experience from this event.

Every bit of effort pays off. In May, the WASHZ U12 rugby team won the runner-up in the Shanghai Pudong Gaoxing Senlan Chinese and Foreign Youth Rugby Invitational Tournament.

The team overcame numerous challenges along the way. Although they ultimately missed winning the championship by a narrow margin, the experience they gained will unleash even greater potential in the future.

After years of growth, the young rugby players' skills and mentality have become increasingly mature, and they are looking forward to the day when they will break through all difficulties and stand on the highest podium.

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