Breaking Barriers: Hong Kong China Deaf Rugby Team Ready for World Championship

Breaking Barriers: Hong Kong China Deaf Rugby Team Ready for World Championship

Rugby For Good supports 20-member squad as tournament kicks off in Japan

The 3rd World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship will take place from October 31 in Japan. Fully supported by Rugby For Good, Hong Kong, China will send a 20-member delegation of coaches and players to compete. A pre-tournament send-off ceremony was held on October 21 to rally support and wish the squad success on the world stage. The 3rd World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship will run from October 31 to November 3 in Tokyo, Japan, featuring 13 participating nations and regions, including the United States, England, Australia, and South Africa. Representing Hong Kong, China, the Deaf Rugby team's 20-member squad includes players and coaching staff. To be eligible for selection, players must be aged 18 or above and have a hearing loss of 40 dB or greater in both ears.

Brian So, competing for the first time, said: "I never imagined representing Hong Kong. Growing up deaf created real barriers—including isolation and being overlooked. Rugby For Good gave me a team where deafness is a shared identity, not a limitation. Japan 2026 is my first World Championship—and a milestone for our whole community."

Rocky Chow, CEO of Rugby for Good, stated: "Competing at their third consecutive World Cup, the Hong Kong China Deaf Rugby team is a testament to resilience and the power of inclusion. At Rugby For Good, we see rugby as a vital tool to break down barriers. With around 50,000 people in Hong Kong living with hearing difficulties, we are tackling communication challenges, build peer support, and engage the wider community through sport and inclusion. The young athletes’ journey proves that inclusion is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality for Hong Kong and beyond."

Social inclusion is a core pillar for Rugby For Good. The Social Inclusion Through Sport for the Deaf Community programme is one of the foundation’s earliest initiatives, running for over a decade. Using rugby as a bridge, the programme helps the deaf community overcome discrimination and isolation while boosting self-esteem and confidence. It promotes social inclusion by fostering an environment where deaf individuals feel valued and connected to the wider community. The Hong Kong China Deaf Rugby team was formed under this programme, and its participation in this year's World Championship serves as a continuation of these ongoing efforts.

The Hong Kong China Deaf Rugby team’s participation in this World Championship is made possible through the generous support of their sponsor, Walkers, who has provided sponsorship for this trip alongside their long-term commitment to Rugby for Good's programmes. Andy Randall, Managing Partner at Walkers (Hong Kong), said: "At Walkers, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. Collaborating with Rugby For Good reflects our commitment to supporting underrepresented communities and advancing inclusion. By investing in programmes that expand opportunities and build stronger networks, we help shape a Hong Kong where every voice is heard and every individual feels valued. "