By Agnes Yu
Back in the 19th century, English public school boys came up with the game of rugby and generations of grunting, running with the ball, and colorful striped jumpers ensued. Now with the ambitious aim of promoting the sport of rugby in Korea, the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Korea, Kiwi Chamber, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce Korea, AustCham will bring together two rugby legends and over 400 enthusiasts for a Rugby Charity Dinner on April 13 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
The event also aims to raise funds for the countless victims of both the devastating Christchurch and Japan earthquakes.
In collaboration the two chambers are hoping that rugby’s growing global popularity will spread to Korea.
“Although not yet a major sport in Korea, rugby is increasing in stature with a fast improving national team and a number of domestic rugby clubs and university teams,” said Graeme Solloway, a director of the Kiwi Chamber. “We hope that holding this charity dinner will publicize the sport in Korea.”
To facilitate this effort, two rugby greats have been invited to Korea. Official New Zealand Rugby World Cup Ambassador Sean Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jones, current general manager and head coach of Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, will both be on hand to raise awareness if not appreciation of the sport. Fitzpatrick was a former New Zealand All Black captain and Jones served as former head coaches of Australia’s national rugby team the Wallabies and the South African Springboks.
“The fact that Fitzpatrick would take time to promote rugby in Korea and the Rugby World Cup is truly awesome” said Simon Walsh, a director of the Kiwi Chamber and captain of the local expat rugby club, Seoul Survivors. “The sport is growing here and the Korean team is getting better every year.”
During his visit, Jones plans to visit Korea University’s rugby team and the Seoul Survivors to offer coaching. “Eddie is making the trip from Japan during a real time of crisis and is volunteering his time and efforts for the advancement of the sport and young players in Korea,” noted Matthew Holmes, a director of AustCham. “He has spent a lot of time coaching and developing rugby players in Japan and hopes Korea could achieve similar success.”
Rugby is still a somewhat unknown sport in Korea in terms of fan base when compared to baseball and football (soccer). The Korean national team fared well in the Rugby World Cup qualifying rounds, but failed to advance. In the faster rugby sevens competition, which will be an official Olympic sport in 2016, the Korean team has high hopes for gaining distinction.
All surplus from Rugby Charity Dinner ticket sales and the memorabilia raffle, including most auction funds, will be donated to a New Zealand government-sanctioned Christchurch earthquake relief fund. The proceeds of one special auction item, a rare gold-plated commemorative FIFA 2002 World Cup match ball, will go to the Japanese Embassy’s donation recommendation.
The event will run between 6:30 and 10:30 on April 13 and the dinner will feature special cuisine and beverages from New Zealand and Australia.
The main event sponsor of the event is DHL and event supporters include adidas, Reebok, Emirates, Hyatt, Ssangyong Paper, Coca Cola, Heineken, Banroft Estate, ANZCO Foods, Nestle, G2, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Audi.
For more information, please email chamber@kiwichamber.com.