Home Comfort for Hong Kong Scottish Exiles

Edinburgh-based MatchPoint shows global reach as it provides investment boost for Scotland 7s launchpad in Asia.

Scottish rugby may have taken a bit of a battering on its own doorstep recently, but an Edinburgh-based firm's investment in a club half the world away, amidst the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, could well reap dividends at home for the Scotland 7s side.

International corporate hospitality specialist MatchPoint – headquartered in the Scottish capital but with offices in Hong Kong, London, Melbourne and Sydney – has confirmed its sponsorship of the Hong Kong Scottish exiles rugby team in one of the world's most spectacular festivals of rugby - the glittering GFI HKFC 10s tournament, which takes place on March 26th and 27th.

The Hong Kong Scottish side is drafting in some young Scottish 7s stars for the 10s tournament, giving them the chance to play against some of the best players in the world, at one of the most spectacular venues on the planet - in the middle of Hong Kong's stunning skyscraper-fringed Happy Valley Race Course.

Dave Whiteford, general manager of Hong Kong Scottish, said: “The system of having young 7s players involved with the 10s side has proved to be a launching pad for players to go on to the full Scotland 7s team. We are indebted to the likes of MatchPoint for their continued support that allows us to bring these players to Hong Kong.”

This will be the third year running that MatchPoint has sponsored the Scottish exiles in the tournament, and this investment in both international and local Hong Kong-based players reflects the company's growing presence in Asia following the opening of its Hong Kong office in 2012. Indeed, MatchPoint has arranged corporate hospitality for several clients for the Hong Kong 7s, which take place immediately after the Tens.

MatchPoint group managing director, Neil Cunningham, commented: “We are delighted to once again sponsor the Scottish exiles. Of course there are lots of good commercial reasons for doing this but it's also good to help develop Scottish rugby talent, support a great event, and have a bit of fun too.

“MatchPoint have many clients in Hong Kong for the 7s - it's a nice showcase for us and an opportunity to put some support back into grassroots rugby.”

Hong Kong Scottish chairman Stewart Saunders added: “We at Hong Kong Scottish are happy to receive continuing support from MatchPoint, who through Neil Cunningham, have been staunch supporters since our inception. We value our relationship, which we are keen to see continue long into the future.”