Updates from Steve Tarrant - Director of Rugby
Well no silverware this week but some great rugby from the U16s in their 7s tournament. In our group we played Kowloon and drew 7-7, then beat Causeway Bay 19-0, DEA 22-0, and East Kowloon 21-0 . This was enough to see us finish top of our group on points difference and a place in the final against Twisters. We put up a great fight but could not manage to break through or put our fast lads in space. Instead just before the final whistle they got a breakaway and scored for a 7-0 victory. A big disappointment, but the boys played well and can be proud of themselves. Attached is a photo of the squad.
This weekend we have no games but the next week is &s week. We have a team of current and ex-Breakthrough boys in the Kowloon Tens on Wednesday 26 March and then on the Friday all the lads are off to the 7s. Gunny and Tank will be taking a few up to the Standard Chartered Box along with Morne de Plessis and Hugo Porta who are out with Laureus. That should be great fun for a few lucky lads.
As you all know we had to stop our girls teams a few years ago due to a lack of numbers, however we still have a few who train with us and two of them play for Tin Siu Wai Eagles U16s. At a recent tournament the Eagles did very well and I received an email from Steve Jones who runs the Union’s Girls Programme telling me how impressed he was with two of the Eagles team – our two young ladies. To quote from Steve’s email - I was very impressed with them and will be looking at them for next year’s national program. So we may yet see some Breakthrough ladies starring in local rugby and my thanks to Irene at TSW for giving them the opportunity.
Last but by no means least Sally Leonard of DB pirates is running the great wall marathon for Breakthrough and is looking for sponsors big and small. Please see her message below and if you could donate you would be inspiring her and helping us. The money will be going towards our tour next year !! She has raised over $8,000 to date and is hoping to hit $50,000.
RUNNING FOR CHARITY - Sally Leonard
PLEASE SPONSOR ME @ http://www.simplygiving.com/sallyleonard
On 17th May I'm going to attempt the Great Wall of China Half Marathon in Beijing. Only a half I hear you cry? Well yes - but before you put away your wallets, it's considered one of the hardest marathons in the world with a gruelling 5,164 steps up (some as tall as your thigh) in the first 7kms. So that, coupled with 3 severely dodgy discs in my back means that my half marathon here is your fit persons 'marathon de sables'. Want proof of the crazy? Watch this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_08QYo-Ec
You all know me, so you know rugby is one of my life's passions. Proud Rosslyn Park ladies section founding player and VP, now HK Society Referee and roving Pirates RFC coach and senior section manager - it's fair to say I live, eat and breathe the noble game. So it seems most fitting that I'm going to complete this challenge for a truly fantastic rugby charity - 'Operation Breakthrough'.
Operation Breakthrough uses rugby and other sport as a means to help, rehabilitate and positively reinforce behaviour in young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or families: helping to fight crime and juvenile delinquency amongst low income and immigrant communities and helping them to develop into responsible and positive thinking adults (http://www.breakthrough.hk)
The charity is run by a fabulous set of volunteers and the money raised specifically from this endeavour will go towards a planned 2014-2015 season rugby tour for the boys who play for the Breakthrough Team here in HK.
SimplyGiving.com is a safe and easy way to donate and I'm going to hound every single person I know to help me get to my target. Please, please dig deep and help give these young men some wonderful sporting memories.
Click here NOW to donate - http://www.simplygiving.com/sallyleonard
Thanks all!
Sally Leonard