We are thrilled that our Head Coach, Craig Hammond, has been named Head Coach of South China Tigers (SCT) again this season, so we took a moment to ask him a few questions about Global Rapid Rugby and his coaching journey.
As Global Rapid Rugby kicks off this weekend, what are you most excited about this season?
The opportunity to test ourselves against top teams and players week in week out. I’m also excited to be playing in a 10-game tournament at a very high level with teams from NZ, Oz and Asia.
What does this year’s competition have in store? Are there any fixtures you’re particularly looking forward to?
We only played four games last year over eight weeks so this year’s competition is another level up! GRR is fast, exciting and great to coach and play in. We’re on the road for our first five games, which is a challenge in itself, but the boys are really looking forward to this Saturday in our first game away in Perth against Samoa Manuma.
How important is GRR for the development of rugby in Hong Kong? What could it mean for clubs like Hong Kong Scottish moving forward?
I feel very important as it opens the doors for opportunities to play against quality teams from round the world. This season’s squad includes a great mix of Full-time Elite Rugby Programme / Hong Kong players and very good club players who have had great club season. For Hong Kong Scottish – and other premiership squads – it allows players the chance to push their game forward and challenge for spots in the SCT team.
For those who don’t know much about Global Rapid Rugby (GRR), what are some of the biggest differences between GRR and XVs rugby?
The differences include:
– 70mins game time
– 30 sec scrums (or free kick)
– No direct kicking in touch or opponents get the back back from where you kick it front (makes it more running rugby)
– Power try (9 point try if you run from you own 22m)
– 12 rolling subs
You’ve been in Hong Kong eight years now, what brought you to Kong Hong initially and what is it about Hong Kong that has kept you and your family here?
The opportunity to get into coaching by coming over as a player/coach for Hong Kong Scottish. It was a great challenge to move away from Nottingham England where I played for 11 years.
I love Hong Kong – it can be full on at times, but I love my job, the rugby community and the attitude of the professional game here in Hong Kong. My family are happy and we get the opportunities to travel round Asia and enjoy our family holidays.
You had an illustrious playing career, including representing the Barbarians (and Nomads!), what’s been your playing highlights?
-Playing over 300 games for Nottingham and captaining 234 of them
-Playing 11 times for the Barbarians and getting the chance to captain them on 3 occasions
-Playing for Leicester Tigers against South Africa when they were world camps and beating them in front of a crowd of 24,000 at Welford Road
-Playing for NZ19’s
…and of course a number of teams at HKS!!
How did you first get into coaching?
I’ve always loved learning/watching/coaching/leading from a young age. When I moved to Nottingham I started our community rugby programme and after a few years, when the Club went full-time, I continued to stay involved with that part of the Club and develop my coaching. I started to coach Notts Uni and Ilkeston Rugby club in the evenings when I was training during the day and really enjoyed sharing my knowledge and pushing/helping players improve.
You’re one of the busiest coaches in the business (Head Coach of Hong Kong Scottish, Head Coach of South China Tigers etc….), what motivates you to do it all?
I love being busy and enjoy the opportunities I get to improve myself and help develop others. Having three kids in HK means I need to be busy!! It’s a balance as I love my family time.
I live out in Pui O, South Lantau and love going home spending time with Rosey and the kids and my dog Rambo!
We are thrilled that our Head Coach, Craig Hammond, has been named Head Coach of South China Tigers (SCT) again this season, so we took a moment to ask him a few questions about Global Rapid Rugby and his coaching journey.
As Global Rapid Rugby kicks off this weekend, what are you most excited about this season?
The opportunity to test ourselves against top teams and players week in week out. I’m also excited to be playing in a 10-game tournament at a very high level with teams from NZ, Oz and Asia.
What does this year’s competition have in store? Are there any fixtures you’re particularly looking forward to?
We only played four games last year over eight weeks so this year’s competition is another level up! GRR is fast, exciting and great to coach and play in. We’re on the road for our first five games, which is a challenge in itself, but the boys are really looking forward to this Saturday in our first game away in Perth against Samoa Manuma.
How important is GRR for the development of rugby in Hong Kong? What could it mean for clubs like Hong Kong Scottish moving forward?
I feel very important as it opens the doors for opportunities to play against quality teams from round the world. This season’s squad includes a great mix of Full-time Elite Rugby Programme / Hong Kong players and very good club players who have had great club season. For Hong Kong Scottish – and other premiership squads – it allows players the chance to push their game forward and challenge for spots in the SCT team.
For those who don’t know much about Global Rapid Rugby (GRR), what are some of the biggest differences between GRR and XVs rugby?
The differences include:
– 70mins game time
– 30 sec scrums (or free kick)
– No direct kicking in touch or opponents get the back back from where you kick it front (makes it more running rugby)
– Power try (9 point try if you run from you own 22m)
– 12 rolling subs
You’ve been in Hong Kong eight years now, what brought you to Kong Hong initially and what is it about Hong Kong that has kept you and your family here?
The opportunity to get into coaching by coming over as a player/coach for Hong Kong Scottish. It was a great challenge to move away from Nottingham England where I played for 11 years.
I love Hong Kong – it can be full on at times, but I love my job, the rugby community and the attitude of the professional game here in Hong Kong. My family are happy and we get the opportunities to travel round Asia and enjoy our family holidays.
You had an illustrious playing career, including representing the Barbarians (and Nomads!), what’s been your playing highlights?
-Playing over 300 games for Nottingham and captaining 234 of them
-Playing 11 times for the Barbarians and getting the chance to captain them on 3 occasions
-Playing for Leicester Tigers against South Africa when they were world camps and beating them in front of a crowd of 24,000 at Welford Road
-Playing for NZ19’s
…and of course a number of teams at HKS!!
How did you first get into coaching?
I’ve always loved learning/watching/coaching/leading from a young age. When I moved to Nottingham I started our community rugby programme and after a few years, when the Club went full-time, I continued to stay involved with that part of the Club and develop my coaching. I started to coach Notts Uni and Ilkeston Rugby club in the evenings when I was training during the day and really enjoyed sharing my knowledge and pushing/helping players improve.
You’re one of the busiest coaches in the business (Head Coach of Hong Kong Scottish, Head Coach of South China Tigers etc….), what motivates you to do it all?
I love being busy and enjoy the opportunities I get to improve myself and help develop others. Having three kids in HK means I need to be busy!! It’s a balance as I love my family time.
I live out in Pui O, South Lantau and love going home spending time with Rosey and the kids and my dog Rambo!