Touch Rugby, on a competitive basis, started in Hong Kong in 1988 in the form of a summer tournament. These annual tournaments were then expanded to incorporate Tag rugby in 1996. The two forms of non-contact rugby can be played by anyone and everyone and the summer tournaments have been the breeding ground for the expansion of the games in Hong Kong. As well as local rugby clubs and corporate sectors within Hong Kong - the game especially Tag rugby - are now played in local Chinese schools, IVE schools and Universities throughout the Hong Kong Territories.

On the back of this growth the HKRFU has established the Hong Kong Touch & Tag Rugby Association (HKT&TRA) with the intention of developing the games further in Hong Kong and to develop them as a sport within their own right.

HKT&TRA will play its league games and tournament on 4 different types of surfaces: Grass, Artificial Pitch, Hard Court and Indoor Court, to meet the growing demand of the game to be played all year round.

On a higher level, Hong Kong recently applied and has become a member in the "Federation of International Touch". FIT is based in Australia and an international body which governs the sport of touch rugby on world wide basis.

Starting from this year, HKT&TRA will set up 4 training centres. The training centres are planned to be located at 4 different regions, namely the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories East and New Territories West.

With effect from 1 April 2005, HKT&TRA will have the players registration system which is on club base the objectives is:

1. To maintain a systematic record of players
2. To identify the standard of playing and needs of players
3. To increase the communication within clubs and members
4. and the most important one, is to develop a group of high standard of players to join the international tournament

For the current season of League, Tournament and its entry information, please contact the Touch and Tag Officer, Gabriel Lee at the HKT&TRA (Tel: 2504 8635 E-mail: gabriel.lee@hkrugby.com ).

Touch Rugby

Touch rugby is a very enjoyable sport and easy to play. It can be played at any levels, with both males and females taking part and getting fit at the same time. It is a NON CONTACT sport, free flowing game that compliments a range of other sports with emphasis on skill and teamwork! The idea is to score a try across the line. The defenders have to touch an attacker with their hands on any part of their body with minimum force. The game is then restarted by the touched attacking player rolling the ball backwards between their legs to be gathered by one of their own teammates. Each team has 6 touches in which to score a try.

Tag Rugby

Tag Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Each player wears a belt that has two 'velcro' tags attached to it. The defenders have to pull one of the 'Velcro' tags from the ball-carrying attacking player, to force the player to pass the ball. Each team has 6 'tags" in which to score a try.

Both types of rugby are great for fitness and good exercise to help improve ball skills while you make new friends.

The 3F's: Fun, Fitness, Friendship.