Player registration is open for the 2019 / 20 season for all age groups. Registration can be completed online or via our Valley Fort App. To go directly to online player registration or instructions on how to complete registration via the App, click here.
Our annual Club membership fees are set here. Membership fees go towards the following:
- Kit
- Training equipment
- Professional coaches
- HKRFU coaching and referring classes for volunteer coaches
- Subsidising social events for players and parents
- Buses to and from training and matches
- Hiring training and match venues
- Insurance
- Other incidentals (first aid kits, maintenance of grounds etc)
The Club’s accounts are audited every year by KPMG and are available on request from the Chairman.
Hong Kong’s rugby season starts in early September and finishes at the end of April the following year (although the younger age groups tend to finish a few weeks before this). In addition, for our Youth players there is pre-season fitness and conditioning training from mid-August.
- For notice of Club-wide events, see ‘Calendar‘
- For the training times and location for your child’s age group this season, see ‘Teams‘ and select the relevant age group.
- For up-to-the minute information on your child’s match or tournament times & venues, you will need to download the Valley Fort App.
We issue a new Valley Fort kit at the start every season to reflect any changes in our sponsors. The cost of the kit is included in the membership fee. Kit includes shirt, shorts, socks and for new joiners, a mouth guard.
For the 2019/20 season, all kit has been pre-ordered by the Club for all age groups. Fittings will be co-ordinated during the first few weeks of training by your Head Coaches. Youth players should be able to take kit straight away once fitted. For Minis, there will be a name printing service available for a small fee which we would encourage you to use. The printers will collect the top from training and deliver it back a week later.
Other Valley Fort merchandise is available to buy at training, Valley Club Days and the Valley Fort Festival.
For the 2019/20 season we are moving to using the Valley Fort App for the majority of our communications from Head Coaches on training, festival and game logistics.
A user guide for the App can be found here Valley Fort App User Guide.
The App can be downloaded by searching on ‘Valley Fort’ in your App Store or clicking on the appropriate Apple or Android links below:
Our Club is run almost entirely by volunteers so we are always looking for people to help. If you are interested in taking on any of the following roles, please speak to your Head Coach or email us.
- Coaching & team management
- First aid – if you already have medical training or are willing to take one of the first aid classes we organize, we are always in need of people to join our roster of first aiders who provide support at training, tournaments and games
- Valley Fort Festival – held in January / February of each year
- Social, F&B
- Marketing, advertising & communications
- Player recruitment & promotion
- Sevens ticket distribution
- Charities & collections
If you are a registered member of Valley Fort you can receive discounts and special offers. For any questions, get in contact with Nick Hewson (Valley RFC GM).
- Lobby Lounge – Players can enjoy an exclusive 15% off the Lobby Lounge including Afternoon Tea, locally inspired dishes, Hong Kong specialities and an array of cakes and patisseries crafted by our Executive Pasty Chef. Open daily, the Afternoon Tea is available daily from 2.30 – 5.30pm, priced at HKD638 per set. Prior reservations are recommended.
- Red Sugar – Enjoy a 15% discount off the bill with a selection of Asian-inspired cocktails, barrel aged tipples and an extensive range of beers, wines and spirits. Players can relax atop the rooftop garden with a 270 degree view extending over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Open daily from 4pm – midnight with a resident DJ on Friday and Saturday evenings until 1am.
- Big Bay Café – Retreat to the Kerry Hotel for a sumptuous Sunday Brunch with a 15% discount available to all players. Available every Sunday from 12 – 3.30pm priced at HKD528 per adult and HKD264 per child (5-11 years). Drinks packages are available for an additional HKD40, for soft drinks and juices, HKD200 for wine, sparkling, beer soft drinks and juices, and HKD300 for Veuve-Clicquot Champagne, wine, sparkling wine, beer, soft drinks and juices.
- Hung Tong – Take 15% off the bill when dining at the hotels signature Chinese restaurant Hung Tong. The revitalised menu is brimming with refined ingredients, first-class service and new signature dishes from Executive Chinese Chef Ken Yu. Open daily for lunch from 11am – 3pm and dinner from 6 – 10.30pm, prior reservations are recommended.
- Dockyard – Happy Hour every Hour at Dockyard with HKD100 for a burger and beer. With live sports matches showing throughout the restaurant, guests can sit back and relax while daily happy hours, games and live entertainment go hand in hand with the array of dishes from the 9 different stalls. Open from 11am – 11pm daily.
- Seasonal offers will be emailed to members. Also watch our ‘Club News‘ section for details of latest offers.
- Free Entry and the public gates and a redeemable free beer at the redemption counter for every horse race night at Happy Valley. A fun evening for everyone to enjoy. If wanting to go as a group contact Nick Hewson to see if you can reserve the balcony in front of the beer garden or get deals at adrenaline or other Happy facility!
Training will always be on unless a:
- Typhoon signal 3 or above is hoisted
- Red or black rain storm warning is in effect
- Thunderstorm warning is in effect
The health and safety of our players both during training and at matches, is paramount at Valley Fort.
Rugby is, in the older age groups, a contact sport. There is always a small risk of injury. Fortunately, in the vast majority of injuries are in the form of scratches, cuts and abrasions which can be cleaned and left to heal.
Naturally the risk of more serious injuries is a concern to all parents. It is widely acknowledged that the risk is significantly reduced when children learn the skills of the game in a structured and disciplined manner. In particular, they must learn to tackle (and be tackled) in a safe environment. We strive to avoid physical mismatch and strictly enforce age restrictions. Skills are taught only when the children are physically and mentally ready. Please do not push your child or the coaches to accelerate this process, as it only serves to increase the risk of injury.
More generally, it is important that your child maintains a good level of overall physical fitness. Studies in sports medicine have demonstrated that a child or adult who is physically fit and healthy is significantly less likely to be injured, than an unfit person in the same position.
Please refer to our guidance for players on weather warnings, mouth guards, footwear, goggles, hydration and sunscreen.
All players should wear mouth guards. Players of contact rugby (from U9 upwards) will not be allowed to participate without a mouth guard.
To improve safety in all age groups we issue all newly registered players with a mouthguard which provides better moulding to the teeth: the Signature Type 3 mouthguard. These are ‘Warm and Fit’ NOT ‘Boil and Bite’ as using boiling water risks losing shape and strength. Please note that this mouthguard is NOT SUITABLE for children with braces or orthodontic bands. Please see the fitting instructions on the Signature Mouthguard website and follow the instructions carefully.
For custom made mouth guards please consult your dentist or head to one of the following places for prices between HK$250 – $300: ·
- Diestel & Partners in Central
- Central Smile in Central
All players should wear rugby boots with moulded rubber studs or non – metal bladed studs. Boots with metal studs are NOT allowed and are banned by HKRFU. Children in the younger age groups may prefer training shoes, which are allowed.
World Rugby has, in July 2019, approved the use of Goggles while playing rugby. Goggles that comply with requirements can now be worn by any player while playing rugby. Compliance is indicated on the goggles by the presence of the World Rugby Approved logo. Detailed information regarding specifications for compliance is available at World Rugby Player Welfare. Contact the HKRFU Player Welfare and Medical team with any questions or concerns.
For much of the year Hong Kong is hot and humid. Exercise in this environment requires a significant intake of fluid. Hydration will not only make you feel better, but will improve your athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury. Coaches will allow for ample water breaks during training and will encourage players to intake plenty of fluids during breaks in matches. Players should also drink water before and after they play.
Even on overcast days the sun in Hong Kong is incredibly strong. Use plenty of sun screen and keep in the shade when possible during breaks. For the younger age groups we also encourage players to wear baseball/sports caps.