Sandy Bay land Toronto Arrows second row Adrian Wadden under talent transfer deal between Hong Kong and Canadian rugby
- Adrian Wadden, who played 14 times for the Toronto Arrows in his debut season, joins Sandy Bay under a new partnership between Hong Kong and Canadian rugby
- Arrows general manager Mark Winokur described the partnership with HKRU as ‘a model for future collaboration’
Hong Kong rugby officials hope a new deal with their counterparts in Canada will lead to some of the city’s best young players gaining experience in Major League Rugby.
The partnership has already paid dividends for Sandy Bay, who have signed Adrian Wadden from Toronto Arrows for the new Dettol Men’s Premiership season.
Wadden, a second row, becomes the club’s 10th signing ahead of the new league campaign, which starts on October 1.
“The hope is that many more players will follow in Wadden’s footsteps going forward,” a Hong Kong Rugby Union spokesman said. “The Arrows compete in the North American Major League Rugby tournament whose dates are complementary with the Hong Kong Premiership, providing a great opportunity for an exchange programme in both directions.”
A Canada under-20 and A international, Wadden played 14 times for the Arrows in his debut season last year and will intern at an insurance company while in Hong Kong.
“Adrian is a good young prospect at a position of need for us, and we are excited to work with HKRU on a great development opportunity for both parties-ideally, a model for future collaboration,” Mark Winokur, the Arrows general manager, said.
Sandy Bay have not been shy in their recruitment over the past several months, and have brought in some serious talent in their bid to challenge the likes of Football Club and Valley at the top of the table.
