Rugby Union emerges from Covid-19 mauling with smaller staff and budget but still scrummaging

A loss of $30.6 million has been reported by the Hong Kong Rugby Union in its latest annual report. It was “the most challenging year we have ever faced in our 65 years”, Chairman Patrick Donovan said. The loss was much improved over the $151.7 million in red ink reported by the HKRU for the previous year. Heavy staff cuts, government relief, general absence of rugby activity and the closing of the Elite Rugby Programme brought costs down by $24 million. An insurance payout for lost ticket sales due to the Hong Kong Seven cancellation helped a lot. The HKRU predicts it will swing into surplus in the next financial year providing the Sevens in November and April 2022 go ahead. Reserves of $167.8 million kept in liquid investments mean the Union has funds available when needed.

The HKRU expresses reservations about the Kai Tak Sports Park. “It will be more fit for purpose to deliver a world class event” but the Union is concerned the commercial model is likely to be very different from that at the current stadium. The HKRU is in talks with the winning consortium building the Sports Park, expected to hold the Sevens for the first time in 2024.

^{The HK Rugby Union is hoping the Sevens will be back in November and April 2022 with all its usual lunacy and merry-making}

The HKRU gives its short-term ambitions in the annual report published at the end of last month:

• Men’s and women’s Sevens to maintain their Hong Kong Sports Institute status
• Men’s and women’s Sevens to attain podium at the 2022 Asian Games
• Men’s and women’s Sevens to qualify for the Rugby World Cup next year
• Men’s 15s to qualify for Rugby World Cup Repechage in 2022
• Men’s 15s to maintain top 24 World Rugby ranking
• Women’s 15s to be in the top two in Asia
• Men’s U20s to qualify for the World U20 Trophy.

^{The biggest rugby club in Sai Kung is the Stingrays}

Although operating with a smaller staff and a tighter budget, the Union will continue to provide club subventions, pitch bookings, professional players (although the men’s 15s players have gone from full-time to part-time) and club coaching officers.