Soccer Sevens: Brighton, Newcastle, Aston Villa stars introduced to shuttlecock kicking by Hong Kong’s elders
- The shuttlecock is ‘so small that you just feel like you’re kicking the air’, Brighton’s Jack Hinchy says as players meet locals before tournament
- Team captains reveal the factors that could determine who wins this weekend, when Newcastle United target a third successive title
Brighton & Hove Albion captain Jack Hinchy said he enjoyed “getting a glimpse into the locals’ lives” after playing shuttlecock with some of the city’s elders on the eve of the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens, which takes place this Friday to Sunday.
The 20-year-old, who plays central midfield for Brighton’s academy side, was introduced to the “really good fun” sport of jianzi, or shuttlecock kicking – a form of keepy-uppy – by local seniors at an event to promote the tournament.
After marvelling at their skills as they played on the pavement in Hong Kong Island’s Sheung Wan district, he proved to be a fast learner.
“This is the first time I have ever seen or heard anything about it,” Hinchy said. “The locals are really good, because they play it every day.
“[The shuttlecock is] so small that you just feel like you’re kicking the air. You get used to it after a bit, but it’s a totally different kind of sport.”
