What's Hot in Xiamen

Saturday 11th May will see the fifth annual ten-a-side rugby tournament take place at the People’s Stadium on Gulangyu. Since 2009 the tournament has rapidly grown into the largest and most boisterous social rugby tournament in mainland China;
This year twelve men’s teams will travel to Xiamen from as far afield as Beijing, Hong Kong, Chengdu and Kunming, while four women’s teams will return to compete for the crowd favourite women’s trophy.
The tournament is organised by Xiamen’s only rugby club, the Xiamen Typhoons with the help of Pacific Sports and a group of generous and loyal sponsors including Dragon Air. “Rugby has been nominated as an event at the next Olympics, and China has already started investing heavily in rugby nationwide”, explains Salem Shebani, captain of the Xiamen Typhoons. “We hope to see plenty of local Xiamen people out at the People’s Stadium on 11th May enjoying the spectacle and learning about this latest Olympic sport. Entrance is free, so come along and bring your friends and family.”
The action on the pitch is only part of the story, however. “Rugby tournaments all over the world are famous for the party in the stadium as well as the sport on the pitch, and we are no different,” explains Wayne Jones, Club Chairman and owner of Xiamen’s Londoner Pub. “What makes this tournament so special is the venue: the People’s Stadium on Gulangyu must be the best pitch in China. It has over one hundred years of history, and to see rugby being played here, surrounded by palm trees and all those old historical mansions, is really remarkable. On 11th May we expect a large crowd of players and fans alike enjoying a raucous atmosphere in the stadium. Come along and join the party!”
The tournament welcomes many players from all over Asia but also a growing number of visiting fans who cannot resist a trip to one of China’s most beautiful coastal cities. “It’s the best rugby event in China, and the amazing venue on Gulangyu just makes it really special.” Wilf Healy, rugby fan who has travelled over from England especially for the weekend for the past few years.
Last year the Shanghai Hairy Crabs RFC fought their way to their third consecutive win in a confrontational final against the Beijing Devils. This year sees two new teams making a challenge for the coveted prize; the newly formed Kunming Tigers RFC join us for the first time and the Swire Group, who have put together a corporate scratch team especially for the event.  If you have never seen rugby played live, now is your chance: it is a tough, physical game which makes for a great spectacle. The games begin at 8am on Saturday 11th May on the People’s Stadium on Gulangyu and go through until 5pm.  If the action on the pitch isn’t enough, players and fans alike can top off the day by attending the famous Xiamen Beach Party.

Edited by: Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen