January 19th, 2012
GFI HKFC Tens to support Christina Noble Children’s Foundation

Former England internationals Steve Thompson and Leon Lloyd to represent charity at Hong Kong rugby event.

The GFI HKFC Tens, the world’s leading 10-a-side rugby tournament, has announced the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation (CNCF) as the official charity for this year’s event, which will be held at Hong Kong Football Club from March 21-22.

CNCF Ambassadors Steve Thompson and Leon Lloyd, both former England internationals, will attend the Hong Kong event on behalf of the Foundation, which was created by Christina Noble in 1990 and runs programmes to help underprivileged children in Vietnam and Mongolia.

Thompson, England’s most-capped hooker and a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, and Lloyd, the former Leicester Tigers back who won five caps for England, will help with fundraising activities at the GFI HKFC Tens before heading to Vietnam to visit the Foundation’s operations in Ho Chi Minh City.

“Being a CNCF ambassador is a whole new life for me and the fact the Foundation is now working with the GFI HKFC Tens is a massive boost for everyone,” said Thompson, 33, who recently moved to Dubai in the UAE.

“I was looking to keep busy after retiring last month and I feel it’s my time to give back. Things happen for a reason and the fact the Foundation has a strong rugby connection is perfect for me.

“Rugby has strong values like teamwork and support on and off the pitch, and I think this fits with what the Foundation is doing for the children in Vietnam and Mongolia. It will be my first time in Hong Kong and I hope we can help raise a lot of money. We’ll have some fun because the more fun the crowd have, the more they donate!”

Star-studded rugby teams featuring former internationals have represented CNCF at various invitational rugby events, particularly in Dubai, where the Foundation has a strong presence.

Lloyd, who scored the winning try for Leicester in the 2001 Heineken Cup final, starred for the CNCF side who won the 2007 International Invitational tournament at the Dubai Rugby Sevens.

Last month, the 34-year-old Lloyd was part of the management team for the CNCF Vets side in Dubai who won a fourth straight title at the 10-a-side International Veterans tournament.

“I’ve been flying the CNCF flag since 2007 when the likes of myself and Austin Healey helped CNCF win in Dubai, beating some strong teams,” said Lloyd, who retired from rugby in 2008 and now works as Foundation Director at Oakham School in Rutland.

“I was glad to be appointed as a CNCF Ambassador as I’ll be able to learn more about the Foundation. Steve and I are good mates from our days in England’s youth teams, and we’re both visiting Hong Kong and Vietnam for the first time. Rugby players know how to enjoy themselves off the pitch and they get behind a good cause, so it’s huge that the Foundation is being supported by the GFI HKFC Tens.”

Christina Noble was delighted to strengthen her charity’s connection to rugby in Hong Kong and will look to raise money at the event, which will feature targeted campaigns to buy bicycles and Mongolian tents (gers).

“Rugby players worldwide have made it possible for thousands of kids to have a better life,” Noble said. “Sport builds humanity and brings the world together.”

The GFI HKFC Tens, which is sanctioned by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, is held on the Wednesday and Thursday before the world-famous Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and is an important part of the city’s rugby week.

In recent years, the tournament has attracted rugby legends Joe Roff and Toutai Kefu (both 2006), Jonah Lomu (2007), Brian Lima (2008), Bobby Skinstad (2009), Waisale Serevi (2010), George Gregan, Justin Marshall and Christian Cullen (all 2011).

Hong Kong Football Club has hosted the annual event since 1986, when it was held to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary. Last year’s tournament commemorated the club’s 125th anniversary and featured live television coverage for the first time, with Now TV broadcasting action on Thursday and a highlights show.

Hong Kong-based Tradition Valley were the surprise champions, winning 28-24 in the final against BGC Asia-Pacific Barbarians, an all-star side coached by Australia legend David Campese and featuring Gregan, Cullen, Marshall and a host of former internationals with Rugby World Cup experience.