Chinese sporting greats visit Laureus programme in Hong Kong
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China’s eight-time NBA All-Star Yao Ming today teamed up with Olympic gymnastics champion Li Xiaopeng and one of the greatest table tennis players of all time Deng Yaping, on the rugby pitch, as the three Laureus World Sports Academy Members inspired the children of the Rugby for Good programme in Hong Kong at the start of a flagship week for Laureus in the city.
Three of China’s greatest athletes took part in a session of Laureus Hong Kong and Rugby For Good’s ‘Mental Wellbeing Through Sport’ programme, which uses rugby and play-based learning to help children develop social and emotional skills, build confidence and strengthen relationships at home. They were joined at the programme by a Laureus Ambassador with a little more experience on the rugby pitch: World Cup winner Nolli Waterman of England.
With less than a year to go before the start of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia – in which Hong Kong China will make its tournament debut – three of China’s sporting greats joined in the growing excitement around next autumn’s showcase. Hong Kong China play the hosts in the opening fixture on October 1, 2027, before facing Chile and New Zealand.
With less than a year to go before the start of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia – in which Hong Kong China will make its tournament debut – three of China’s sporting greats joined in the growing excitement around next autumn’s showcase. Hong Kong China play the hosts in the opening fixture on October 1, 2027, before facing Chile and New Zealand.
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Laureus Academy Member Yao Ming said: “Sport taught me how to handle pressure, how to trust my teammates and how to pick myself up after a difficult day – lessons that matter far beyond the court. Laureus’ partnership with Rugby For Good gives young people those same tools. Today I saw the confidence and togetherness that sport can bring to young people and I saw them leave with smiles on their faces after a lot of hard work.
“Sport is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve the mental wellbeing of young people. No organisation can do that alone, which is why the collaboration here in Hong Kong – between coaches, schools, families, partners and Laureus – is so important. I am proud to be part of a movement that believes, as Laureus Sport for Good’s Founding Patron Nelson Mandela did, that sport has the power to change the world.”
Laureus Academy Member Deng Yaping said: “We are all excited about Hong Kong China Rugby’s first participation at the Rugby World Cup, in Australia next year. I know the impact that representation at a global event can have for a sport at grassroots level and it was a delight to share that excitement with the children at Rugby For Good today. I know they will be cheering on their team in 2027.
“This project is a perfect example of the way Laureus Sport for Good can change communities through sport. We’re bringing together different partners and established best practice from our global network, but the result is unique to each programme, because in the end it comes down to the young people and these incredible coaches.”
Rocky Chow, Executive Director of Rugby For Good, said: “Today’s session again shows that sport is one of the best ways to connect people. Our young people would never have imagined sharing a pitch and playing with Yao Ming, Li Xiaopeng, Deng Yaping and Nolli Waterman. Programmes like this provide a safe space for young people to build relationships. Being part of a team is one of the key elements of belonging; this trust is learned on the pitch, and we truly hope it can be transferred off it. From managing their emotions to trusting others, they take these lessons home to their families and into their classrooms.
“Our partnership with Laureus has been transformational for Rugby For Good. Being shortlisted for the Laureus Sport for Good Award this year was a huge honour for our coaches and families. Days like today remind everyone why this work matters."
“Sport is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve the mental wellbeing of young people. No organisation can do that alone, which is why the collaboration here in Hong Kong – between coaches, schools, families, partners and Laureus – is so important. I am proud to be part of a movement that believes, as Laureus Sport for Good’s Founding Patron Nelson Mandela did, that sport has the power to change the world.”
Laureus Academy Member Deng Yaping said: “We are all excited about Hong Kong China Rugby’s first participation at the Rugby World Cup, in Australia next year. I know the impact that representation at a global event can have for a sport at grassroots level and it was a delight to share that excitement with the children at Rugby For Good today. I know they will be cheering on their team in 2027.
“This project is a perfect example of the way Laureus Sport for Good can change communities through sport. We’re bringing together different partners and established best practice from our global network, but the result is unique to each programme, because in the end it comes down to the young people and these incredible coaches.”
Rocky Chow, Executive Director of Rugby For Good, said: “Today’s session again shows that sport is one of the best ways to connect people. Our young people would never have imagined sharing a pitch and playing with Yao Ming, Li Xiaopeng, Deng Yaping and Nolli Waterman. Programmes like this provide a safe space for young people to build relationships. Being part of a team is one of the key elements of belonging; this trust is learned on the pitch, and we truly hope it can be transferred off it. From managing their emotions to trusting others, they take these lessons home to their families and into their classrooms.
“Our partnership with Laureus has been transformational for Rugby For Good. Being shortlisted for the Laureus Sport for Good Award this year was a huge honour for our coaches and families. Days like today remind everyone why this work matters."
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The Laureus Golf Invitational returns to the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club for the fifth time, with Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors joining partners and friends on one of Asia’s most spectacular courses. Following the on-course team competition, guests will attend a gala dinner and auction, with all funds raised supporting the work of Laureus Sport for Good Hong Kong.
The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club's Community Outreach and Charity Programme (COP) has a long history of supporting worthy causes, and this year, Laureus continues its charity partnership. The partnership reflects the Club’s dedication to social impact and community engagement through sport, and their commitment to sports promotion and local youth empowerment. This year’s Golf Invitational is also supported by Patron Partner LimeTree Capital.
Since its establishment in 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has impacted the lives of more than seven million children and young people and currently supports more than 300 programmes, directed from a global office and supported by 19 local and regional foundations around the world – including through Laureus Sport for Good Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Laureus brings partners together from all sectors, multiplying individual impact to ensure the power of sport reaches the young people who need it most. Laureus Sport for Good has been actively engaged in Hong Kong since 2005, and in 2024 launched Laureus Sport for Good Hong Kong - a hub for its work in the region.
This special relationship between Laureus and Hong Kong extends to the partnership with Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) that, since 2018, has seen Laureus Sport for Good act as the Official Charity Partner of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club's Community Outreach and Charity Programme (COP) has a long history of supporting worthy causes, and this year, Laureus continues its charity partnership. The partnership reflects the Club’s dedication to social impact and community engagement through sport, and their commitment to sports promotion and local youth empowerment. This year’s Golf Invitational is also supported by Patron Partner LimeTree Capital.
Since its establishment in 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has impacted the lives of more than seven million children and young people and currently supports more than 300 programmes, directed from a global office and supported by 19 local and regional foundations around the world – including through Laureus Sport for Good Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Laureus brings partners together from all sectors, multiplying individual impact to ensure the power of sport reaches the young people who need it most. Laureus Sport for Good has been actively engaged in Hong Kong since 2005, and in 2024 launched Laureus Sport for Good Hong Kong - a hub for its work in the region.
This special relationship between Laureus and Hong Kong extends to the partnership with Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) that, since 2018, has seen Laureus Sport for Good act as the Official Charity Partner of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
