Marriages and mayhem – How the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens changed my life, part 1
Hong Kong residents and visitors tell us how the unique event has had an impact on their lives
Just over a decade ago, a booted and (bespoke) suited banker arrived at a pre-tournament lunch on Sevens Friday. He was fresh from a conference in Australia. Dressed in a navy suit and blending in with the other guests was Peter Phillips, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and Princess Anne’s son. Not long after enjoying the Sevens experience, he moved to Hong Kong with his Canadian wife, Autumn, for a period. Perhaps the Sevens touched his life that weekend, as he mixed with the same Hong Kong Sevens spirit of egalitarianism and fair play. A far cry from his days as Gordonstoun School’s rugby captain when it was reported he was asked in the pre-match rugby toss by a referee: “Grandmother or tails, sir?”. From royalty, to “rugby royalty” and regular fans, the Hong Kong Sevens has changed the lives of many ...
Rowan Varty
Hong Kong sevens team professional player
In many ways my life would not be the same. My parents brought my sister, Lindsay, and I to the Sevens every year, and it was watching the mini rugby that made me want to play rugby.
I have spent almost all of my adult life playing rugby for Hong Kong and we are now lucky enough to be a professional sport at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. I also qualified as a solicitor before we went full-time as a team. I still work part-time at Tanner De Witt. The firm is extremely supportive of both my legal and rugby career, and the Hong Kong team.
I injured myself at the Sevens in 2015 and couldn’t make it to the Tokyo Sevens a week later. As a result, I went to a friend’s wedding in Phuket and met my fiancee there. In that way, the Sevens has definitely changed my life.
