Page 50

In May, in a bid to celebrate Rugby World Cup and the Olympic Games coming to Japan in consecutive years in 2019 and 2020, Asia Rugby launched Project Asia 1 Million. The project forms part of Asia’s IMPACT Beyond RWC 2019 strategy and the aim is to attract one million new participants to the sport by the time rugby sevens makes its second appearance on the biggest sporting stage in Tokyo.Rugby’s return to the Olympic Games in Rio served to galvanise activity, especially as Japan’s men shocked the world by defeating New Zealand and only just missed out on a medal after finishing fourth. During August, 22 unions organised IMPACT Beyond Rio activities across Asia which had more than 22,000 participants, while in September, ABOVEHong Kong qualified for the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first timeLEFTJapan celebrate their shock win over New Zealand in Riorepresentatives of 25 nations attended a four-day Bangkok-based workshop designed to increase the capacity and capability of unions to grow the game and play a key role in Project Asia 1 Million.On the field, Japan are still the dominant force in 15s with their men’s and women’s teams winning the Asia Rugby Championship titles. Many of the players within the youthful Brave Blossoms squad went on to feature at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester. Japan performed admirably throughout, but a 41-17 defeat to Italy in the 11th place play-off means they will be playing in the U20 Trophy in 2017. Hong Kong achieved their first-ever win in the U20 Trophy when they beat Zimbabwe 44-40 in April.Super Rugby also came to Asia in 2016, the Sunwolves playing fixtures in Tokyo and Singapore. The latter was one of five new venues on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, keeping the number of Asian rounds at three alongside Dubai and Hong Kong. Japan’s men secured core team status for 2016-17 by winning the Hong Kong qualifier, while their women missed out after losing to Brazil at Rio 2016. Meanwhile, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series titles in 2016 were won by Hong Kong (men’s) and Japan (women’s).Japan and Hong Kong had cause to celebrate in December after finishing first and second in the Asia/Oceania qualifying tournament to book their places at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017. It will be Japan’s first appearance since 2002 and a tournament debut for Hong Kong.One of the biggest headline-grabbing developments of the year came out of China, where US$100 million is to be invested over the next 10 years to support professional league structures and an ambitious Get Into Rugby programme. GIR is already popular in Asia with 610,700 children taking part in 2016.HUGE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN ASIAAsia Rugby hope to attract one million new participants to the game by the time the next Olympic Games takes place in Tokyo in 2020.610,700 Get Into Rugby participants in 2016www.asiarugby.comtwitter: @asiarugby50 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2016PARTICIPATE | AROUND THE REGIONS