By Chris McAsey
The strong Hong Kong AFL community takes pride in its home grown talent – many of whom started their footy journey in the local Auskick program – who will represent their country at the first AFL Asia Cup.
After a second placing in Division 2 of the Asian Championships in August, Hong Kong players share insights about local footy pathways and their hopes for Ho Chi Minh City.
What does representing Hong Kong on the international stage mean to you?
Rami Chan (Captain): So proud and so unreal, I would never expect this would happen 8 years ago when I first started to kick the footy.
Ernest Choy (Vice Captain): It’s an honour to represent HK on an international stage. It makes it more special to participate in the first ever Asia Cup.
Brandon Murphy: It’s a massive honour to be able to say that I’m representing Hong Kong in AFL on an international stage.
Hamish Hulme: I’m excited to have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong and showcase our talent in front of the world.
Luke Colbran: Everything, it means everything. I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I started AFL here, learning from Hong Kong’s greats. This makes me feel even more connected to the Hong Kong Dragons Club and now the Hong Kong, China Lions.
Zion Lam: Being able to bridge cultures, break stereotypes and also bring light to footy in Hong Kong as I share my experience with family and mates means the world to me.
Brian Cheung: Being able to represent Hong Kong to play a sport that we were not able to grow up playing is an absolute honour and gives me a huge sense of pride to represent a well established club in Asia.
Jason Chung Kan Yip: Representing Hong Kong in AFL on an international stage is an incredibly meaningful experience for me, I’m super excited to have the opportunity to share the unique culture and spirit of Hong Kong.
Callum Kendall: A chance to represent my home on the world stage is an incredible opportunity.
Ka Sing Chiu: It’s my pleasure to show how good the standard of footy is in HK! We’re going to enjoy the games, enjoy the experience and enjoy the competition. How good is footy in Asia!
James Stanton: It means a lot to represent Hong Kong, I’m immensely proud to be part of this team.
Who are the players you’re looking to for leadership?
Rami Chan (Captain): Enrest Choy, our freshly crowned All Asian.
Ernest Choy (Vice Captain): It will be our captain Rami, who is a long serving veteran for both HK Dragons and local footy in HK. A few younger leaders with the likes of Luke and Brian are also showing plenty of leadership potential for this competition and the years to come.
Brandon Murphy: Captain and Vice Captain, Rami and Ernie, who I know will keep a cool and composed manner throughout the tournament.
Luke Colbran: Captain Rami is someone I play for. A lot of my enjoyment and dedication to the sport comes from seeing how much work he puts into the development of AFL in Hong Kong. He deserves to be out there playing for Hong Kong, China more than any of us.
Brian Cheung: I look up to our Captain, Rami who has helped push AFL in HK a long way. I will also be looking up to one of our rising stars Luke, who is our Sam Walsh of the team: young, fearless, talented and definitely our future captain.
Jason Chung Kan Yip: Captain and Vice Captain, Rami and Ernie. I’ll be looking to them for their knowledge, experience and great ability on field.
Callum Kendall: Rami, a leader both on and off the field.
Ka Sing Chiu: We’re all going to be looking to each other as we’re all bringing different skills and experiences to the competition.
James Stanton: I’ll be looking to Hamish Hulme as he is formidable on the field.
What are you most looking forward to about the Asia Cup?
Rami Chan (Captain): To play against Team Japan and/or China, they are all my good friends indeed.
Ernest Choy (Vice Captain): I look forward to sharing the field with a few new players, especially those younger players who have come through the Auskick program.
Brandon Murphy: Being able to play AFL for Hong Kong on an international stage and showcase the talent of our team.
Luke Colbran: I can’t wait to play in the competition. After narrowly missing out a few times this year in other competitions I’m hungry to achieve success at the Asia Cup!
Hamish Hulme: Kicking goals and having fun with my teammates.
Zion Lam: Kick some snags, sell some candy and hopefully a specky or two.
Brian Cheung: I’m looking forward to showcasing the talent we have grown in HK and building memories like the ones I’ve had from previous tournaments, such as the Asian Championships.
Jason Chung Kan Yip: Playing with my teammates and learning more about AFL in other Asian countries.
Callum Kendall: A chance to play some good footy, and meet some good people!
Ka Sing Chiu: The spirit of our team is to never give up, I hope we can make it all the way and win!
Jason Chung Kan Yip: Working together as the strong team unit that we are, I’m expecting us to go all the way to the final and bring the Cup home to HK.
James Stanton: Attending my first international competition, I’m looking forward to everything!
What are your expectations for Hong Kong’s performance at the Asia Cup?
Rami Chan (Captain): We’re definitely going to bring the Cup back home!
Ernest Choy (Vice Captain): We always strive for success but the most important thing is to enjoy this historical moment of being in the first national team for Hong Kong and taking part in the first Asia Cup.
Brandon Murphy: That the team gives it our all in every game.
Hamish Hulme: We’re going for glory and have our eyes on first place!
Luke Colbran: To make the finals and win. Many of us have grown up watching our teams play and win finals so to be the player on the pitch experiencing that is the ultimate goal.
Zion Lam: We’re here to win!
Brian Cheung: Hong Kong should be putting up a good fight against the other Asian teams. On paper we are probably one of the younger teams, but our fight should be one of the most competitive. This should be a fun comp, being the first ever Asia Cup, let’s bring it back to Home Kong!
Ka Sing Chiu: We’ll be showing the spirit of Hong Kong and making everyone at home proud.
James Stanton: We’re going to play hard and win the competition.
What message do you hope to send the younger generation by representing Hong Kong?
Rami Chan (Captain): Please come and join us. As President of AFLHK, I would like to be in a support role at the next Asia Cup watching our new generation playing and winning for HK.
Ernest Choy: The AFL community in Hong Kong is great for those who love footy and for meeting new people. There is a clear pathway from beginner to national team member which I am proud to be part of.
Brandon Murphy: There are so many opportunities within Hong Kong for everyone to play AFL and one day you can be on a world stage representing our home.
Hamish Hulme: I’m excited to have the opportunity to show what growing up and learning to play AFL in Hong Kong can lead to. Your turn next.
Luke Colbran: On a personal level, I feel very much a product of the environment. I hope I am able to make everyone back home proud, with my on field performance and off field as a person. I have so many role models I look up to in the Dragons club and I can’t wait to show them how much of an impact they have had on my development not only as a player but as a person. I want my experience to inspire others who are just starting their AFL journey in HK.
Brian Cheung: I want to show that although we may not have all the physical attributes of a normal AFL player, if you put in the work, you can be given the same chances too.
Jason Chung Kan Yip: Being part of this team, I hope to send a message of empowerment and the importance of pursuing one’s passions. I want the younger generation to understand that they have the ability to represent Hong Kong on a world stage while playing AFL.
Ka Sing Chiu: With Hong Kong as your home, there are plenty of opportunities to play AFL to a great standard and now, internationally in AFL competitions.
James Stanton: That you can start your AFL experience with Auskick and end up on the national team.
