As we approach our tenth anniversary year we will be interviewing some of the key people who helped launch and grow Hong Kong Scottish. We will be hearing about how the Club first started up and has evolved over the past 10 years – with some interesting stories along the way! This week we are chatting to Dave Bruce!
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to Hong Kong?
A Scottish Chartered Accountant who answered an ad in the Financial Times in 1988 for training manager at a Hong Kong professional accounting firm. After teaching a couple of soon-to-be Taipans, I set up on my own.
2. Can you give us a bit of information about your rugby background as a player and supporter?
I peaked early in the middle of the Royal High School 1st XV front row, playing with and against future Scottish internationalists and British Lions. Squandered any international ambitions on intellectual advancement in the social sciences. Lent my services to Heriots FP Rugby Club where I scaled the heights in the 2nd XV, followed by residencies at London Scottish, Dhahran (Saudi Arabia) and Hong Kong Football Club. Once again, scaled the heights, but this time as Football Club rugby section social secretary. Organised the May Ball in 1992 in Guangzhou where I met my wife, Vicki.
Football: Hibernian – me and the Proclaimers. Rugby: Scotland
4. How did you get involved with the Club?
Fathers of new recruits to the Club from Scotland called me to ask for my thoughts on the new Hong Kong rugby venture. I agreed to keep an eye on the boys during their upcoming Far East adventure. Hard work, as they often gave me the Wanchai run-around. Was the sole Scottish supporter at the first HK Premier League fixture against Kowloon in October 2011 at Kings Park. Conducted a one-man pitch invasion when we upset all expectations by winning. Up there with the ‘84 and ‘90 Grand Slams. You should have been there!!
5. As a key organizer of the Edinburgh tour of 2018, how did the idea of a Scotland tour come about?
Danny Moussa goaded me in the Kings Park bar by asking “when are we going on tour?.” Easiest way to shut down a Watsonian is to produce the goods. The seed was sown in my mind, and it could only grow. A no-brainer.
Recognition, in many circles and at many levels.
7. Can you share with us an outstanding story from the tour or is it a ‘what goes on tour, stays on tour’ situation?
Watching Bryan Rennie reconnect with his friends at Watsonians. A modest man who commands widespread respect. Sadly, no stories about Hammo, as he was on Union duty in Australia .
Easy – James Murray wearing the No. 10 jersey, when he chipped over the defensive line in the last minute of our first league game against Kowloon, gathering the bouncing ball to score the winning try. Not only did he usher in the aforementioned one-man pitch invasion, he announced the arrival of a serious new competitor in Hong Kong rugby. Hong Kong Scottish were for real. Right up there with major sporting moments. Oh yes, and the silky winger was Dave Whiteford, first HK Scottish GM. You had to be there.
9. What has been your absolute favourite HKS event hosted in the past ten years and why?
Sir Ian McGeechan lunch – you could hear a pin drop. 300+ – again, you had to be there.
10. Finally, Dave, it has come to our attention that there may be some history between you and the Hong Kong refs; is there any truth in this? If not, how did these rumours mysteriously come about?
I so enjoy the post-match analyses with the referees in the stands/bars. I know they appreciate my ability to call a forward pass at 100 yards. They are so polite when pointing out my inaccuracies.
