Hong Kong China Rugby Launches Nan Fung Impact League

Hong Kong China Rugby has launched the Nan Fung Impact League, which they say is “a pioneering initiative launched in partnership with Nan Fung Group to create competition among all Premiership Clubs to evaluate their off-field work in the community.”

The idea of the Nan Fung Impact League is to promote community engagement and sustainability efforts. A press release from HKCR said that a judging panel will assess submissions by each club at the end of the season, “recognising those that demonstrate outstanding social and environmental impact to their respective communities.”

Jamie Farndale, General Manager of Club Development and Sustainability for Hong Kong China Rugby, said, “There is nothing that drives sports teams more than competition, it’s part of our DNA. By lifting competition off the field of play there is a huge opportunity to make the most of our club’s unique deep-rooted connections within the Hong Kong community”.

The Nan Fung Impact League channels all sponsorship funds directly to Premiership Clubs, empowering them to enhance both on-field performance and off-field community leadership.

What is the Hong Kong China Rugby Nan Fung Impact League?

The Impact League is rooted in three core themes – mental health, waste management, and broader sustainability, bringing together the following teams in this first-ever off-field Premiership competition: Causeway Sandy Bay, Gai Wu Falcons, HKU Sandy Bay, Hong Kong Football Club, Hong Kong Scottish, Kowloon Rugby Club, USRC Tigers, and Valley RFC.

• Each club will nominate three players to attend a workshop led by “In Time Of” (the community engagement arm of Nan Fung Group), where they will be trained as mental health ambassadors, equipped to lead and facilitate workshops and support their fellow teammates.
• The nominees will also take part in a waste reduction and upcycling innovation workshop, while one designated “Sustainability Champion” from each team will work with SEWIT Consultancy — a member of Nan Fung Group — to learn how to design community initiatives with an impact-driven mindset and gain a foundational understanding of impact measurement.
• The team will then go out into their respective communities and translate their learnings into tangible impact.

Each club holds a unique position within society to create impactful change, and this sponsorship provides the capacity and motivation to take action.

Farndale, the former Scotland and GB 7s international, joined the union after retiring from international rugby but still plays – now with HKFC.

He added that the SEWIT Consultancy has put a prize fund in place. “They are providing the capacity and motivation for clubs to go above and beyond within their communities. Eight clubs, eight touch points, eight communities – I can’t wait to see the impact we can have!”

The total prize money of HK$200,000 will be awarded to the eight Premiership clubs as follows:

• 1st Place: $60,000
• 2nd Place: $40,000
• 3rd Place: $30,000
• 4th Place: $20,000
• 5th Place: $16,000
• 6th Place: $14,000
• 7th Place: $12,000
• 8th Place: $8,000

Objectives of the Nan Fung Impact League

• Reward Premiership Clubs: Clubs will receive prize money based on impact-driven performance
• Build Club Capacity: Targeted training programmes will enhance the clubs’ knowledge and capacity in the realms of sustainability, mental health, and community engagement
• Quantify and Report Impact: Expert consulting from SEWIT Consultancy will help clubs measure and report their social and environmental impact, facilitating continuous improvement and transparency
• Deepen Community Connections: Clubs will engage local schools and stakeholders in various environmental projects to strengthen community ties

At the end of the season, an expert judging panel will assess submissions, ranking clubs based on a combination of criteria: social and environmental impact alongside rugby performance.

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