Latest news with #AndrewDouglas
HKFP
07-07-2025
- Sport
- HKFP
Hong Kong China qualifies for the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027
Hong Kong China have qualified for the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 for the first time, following their 70-22 win over Korea on Saturday. Hong Kong also made history as only the second Asian team, after Japan, to qualify for the tournament according to a statement released by World Rugby. 'There has been an enormous commitment from the team over the last 12 months to best prepare. The team travelled to Chile, Paraguay and Brazil last summer, hosted Brazil twice in November, completed a full domestic rugby season, then held pre-tournament camps in Australia and Japan,' said Head Coach Andrew Douglas following the Asia Rugby Emirates Championship victory, the statement said. The Asia Rugby title granted the team an automatic qualification for the tournament taking place in Australia in October, 2027. The team, currently ranked 23rd in the World Rugby Men's Rankings, won their sixth consecutive champions trophy at the Incheon contest on Saturday. Chris Brooke, chair of Hong Kong China Rugby, congratulated the team on their achievement: 'We have always said that potential Rugby World Cup qualification marked a huge opportunity for the four teams competing in this tournament, and indeed for rugby in Asia as a whole – and we are very proud to be joining Japan as a second Asian team at a Men's Rugby World Cup,' 'Qualifying for a Men's World Cup is a historic moment that will act as a further catalyst for growth at all levels of the game,' he added, according to the press statement.
Bangkok Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Hong Kong qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time
Hong Kong beat South Korea 70-22 in Incheon on Saturday to win the Asia Rugby Championship and qualify for the World Cup for the first time. The Hong Kong men's side has got to the last stage of qualifying for the last two World Cups only to fall short but will now take their place at the expanded 24-team showpiece tournament in Australia in 2027. 'There has been an enormous commitment from the team over the last 12 months,' head coach Andrew Douglas said. 'We are delighted with the improvements they made match by match. … I'm particularly pleased with how the players stayed together as a group and how they held their nerve under pressure to come through a tough qualification decider away from home.' 'It's been overwhelming to be honest, just super proud of our playing group, our management, our coaching staff, people behind the scenes, there is a lot that goes into making a team successful,' said an emotional captain Joshua Hrstich in a post-match interview. The United Arab Emirates beat Sri Lanka 29-21 in Colombo on Friday to finish second in the championship and will play off against an African nation in July for a spot at the final World Cup qualification tournament. Hong Kong are only the second team from Asia to get to the World Cup after Japan, who have already qualified after finishing third in their pool at the 2023 tournament in France.
CNA
05-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Hong Kong qualify for World Cup for first time
Hong Kong beat South Korea 70-22 in Incheon on Saturday to win the Asia Rugby Championship and qualify for the World Cup for the first time. The Hong Kong side has got to the last stage of qualifying for the last two World Cups only to fall short but will now take their place at the expanded 24-team showpiece tournament in Australia in 2027. "There has been an enormous commitment from the team over the last 12 months," head coach Andrew Douglas said in a statement. "We are delighted with the improvements they made match by match... I'm particularly pleased with how the players stayed together as a group and how they held their nerve under pressure to come through a tough qualification decider away from home." The United Arab Emirates beat Sri Lanka 29-21 in Colombo on Friday to finish second in the championship and will play off against an African nation in July for a spot at the final World Cup qualification tournament. Hong Kong are only the second team from Asia to get to the World Cup after Japan, who have already qualified after finishing third in their pool at the 2023 tournament in France.
Business News Wales
03-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Swansea Retains Purple Flag Status for 11th Consecutive Year
Swansea has secured Purple Flag status for the 11th consecutive year. The sought-after accreditation is a recognition of a commitment to creating a dynamic, secure and vibrant evening and night-time economy. Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres from 5pm-5am. The award highlights Swansea's blend of entertainment, dining and culture – all while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in the evening and night-time economy, Swansea Council said. Assessors said that key successes in Swansea's submission included: the 'outstanding' Help Point, a specialist city centre treatment facility providing care to vulnerable people who require treatment as a result of accidents or injuries. the strong partnership commitment and enthusiasm for Purple Flag a well-staffed CCTV room with high-resolution cameras covering key areas of the city excellent communication between partners in the evening and night-time economy. Partners involved in the management of Swansea's evening and night-time economy include various departments at Swansea Council, Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), South Wales Police, British Transport Police, the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner of South Wales, Mid & West Wales Fire Service, Swansea Street Pastors, Swansea Hospitality Forum and Pub and Club Watch, St John Ambulance Cymru, Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, many city centre businesses and Swansea Bay University Health Board. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: 'Purple Flag status reaffirms that Swansea city centre is a vibrant and viable place that keeps visitors coming back for more. 'We're delighted to be flying the flag once again. 'The partnership works hard on keeping people safe – and this means that great initiatives can flourish so everyone has a great time out in a safe environment. 'The city's council-driven £1 billion regeneration is strengthening Swansea's appeal, with fantastic improvements including the new arena and transformed Albert Hall. 'There's much more to come, including a greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens.' Andrew Douglas, manager of Swansea BID, said: 'At Swansea BID, we work tirelessly in collaboration with the council, police, venues and others to ensure visitors can enjoy Swansea's brilliant food and drink venues safely. 'Our taxi and night marshals are an integral part of the city's night-time economy, and the Pubwatch scheme we facilitate with the venues was something that impressed the judges.' South Wales Police head of community and partnerships Mark Kavanagh said: 'Swansea retaining its Purple Flag status for another year is excellent news and reflects the scale of the work being carried out by the Safer Swansea Partnership. 'Initiatives such as the Swansea Help Point, the student volunteers, and vulnerability awareness training, together with a consistent and reassuring police presence, all helps to make sure that people visiting Swansea and enjoying the available nightlife, are kept as safe as possible. 'South Wales Police is committed to tackling substance use, violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the city, and we cannot achieve this without the help and support of our partners and the public.' There are 90 Purple Flag destinations across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand and Australia. Locations range from world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns. Purple Flag has represented the gold standard evening and night-time economy management for nearly 15 years.
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong coach eyes complete performance as he tweaks squad for Rugby World Cup decider
It is hard to ignore the prize that awaits the winner of Saturday's final game of this year's Asia Rugby Emirates Men's Championship, but that is just what Hong Kong head coach Andrew Douglas would like his team to do. Victory for either Hong Kong or South Korea on Saturday would most likely mean a place in the 2027 World Cup, and Douglas, who has tweaked his squad again for the most important game in the city's history, wants his players to enjoy the moment. With families, friends and a healthy contingent of supporters all making the trip to Incheon, Douglas is expecting it to be a 'pretty special' week. 'It's like a final, and finals week you've got to really enjoy because they don't come around that often, and when they do, you can overthink things and get too fizzed up,' Douglas said. 'I think it's really important that players enjoy the week, enjoy working with each other and what is about to unfold. We haven't brought any emotion into it yet, or the outside implications – it's purely about what we need to do to beat Korea.' Hong Kong coach Andrew Douglas said the squad would have 'some real impact'. Photo: Jonathan Wong That focus has led Douglas to return to the front five that started the 43-10 win over the United Arab Emirates, move captain Josh Hrstich back to No 8 and switch Luke van der Smit, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the 78-7 win over Sri Lanka last weekend, to the bench.
