Laureus named first official charity of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens
In conjunction with The Hong Kong Rugby Union, Laureus has been announced as the official charity partner of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. It is the first time that the HKRU have appointed an official charity for the renowned Hong Kong Sevens, which marked its 42nd year in April.
Laureus, as the official charity partner of the 2018 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will work closely with the event to raise funds for a variety of causes.
The funds raised will be split with half of the total proceeds dedicated for funding Laureus-supported projects within Hong Kong, furthering the HKRU’s aim of harnessing the platform of the Sevens for the benefit of local society, whilst the remainder will be made available for applications from charities around Asia.
Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “The Hong Kong Sevens is the flagship tournament on the rugby sevens circuit and one of Asia’s leading sporting events. This new and exciting partnership will enable Laureus-supported programmes throughout the region to continue working towards their goal of using sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage.”
Proceeds will also go to Operation Breakthrough, a Laureus-supported police led charity that uses sport – including a highly successful rugby programme, as a means to help, rehabilitate and positively reinforce young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or families: helping to fight crime and juvenile delinquency amongst low income and immigrant communities.
Operation Breakthough attracted the early support of both the Hong Kong Rugby Union and Laureus and in celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2016, the incoming administration of new Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Honourable Carrie Lam, has donated $1 million to the programme.
“Community engagement has always been a key part of the Sevens, and the financial success of the event has allowed the HKRU to invest more than HK$100 million in developing and upgrading community sports facilities over the past decade alone.
“The Hong Kong Rugby Union and its Community Foundation continues to lead the way in using sport as a medium to tackle social problems and effect change, focusing on the areas of Social Inclusion, Health, Disability, Education and Youth Crime.
“Partnering with Laureus expands our capacity to reach and change the lives of thousands more youngsters both in Hong Kong and around Asia,” said Robbie McRobbie, CEO of HKRU.
Laureus currently supports 18 organisations in 12 Asian countries and is currently sourcing potential programme partners within the region, with the help of local partners including the HKRU, to build a strong strategy for the region in order to impact more young people through sport.