Kowloon Rugby Club is delighted to announce DAC (DAC Management LLC) as its headline sponsor for the upcoming 2020/21 Hong Kong Premiership rugby season. As part of a new two-year deal starting this season, Kowloon will compete as “DAC Kowloon Rugby Club” in all competitions. The title sponsorship will add to DAC’s wider rugby sponsorship portfolio, which also supports Laos Rugby, USA Rugby, Mozambique Rugby and various other charity focused rugby organizations in the UK and US.
DAC, already an important and longstanding supporter of the Kowloon RugbyFest, will look to strengthen its relationship with KRC, building on the outreach programs both the RugbyFest and Kowloon Rugby Club continue to undertake. With previous partnerships including support of the Laos Rugby Federation (“LRF”) and the Tony Ho foundation, Kowloon Rugby Club is excited to work even closer with DAC for the foreseeable future. The partnership will open up exciting opportunities and connections within the elite USA youth rugby program and the club, as well as deepen the support of the LRF and other impactful projects.
Speaking on behalf of the new partnership Club Chairman, Dean McLachlan stated, “We are delighted to secure the support of DAC for the upcoming season. Having worked with DAC’s Chairman, Phil Groves, and the rest of the DAC team on many charity projects over the last 10 years we are proud that the community work we are doing as a club here in Hong Kong is aligned with a company of DAC’s stature and social awareness.”
Kowloon Rugby Club remains heavily involved in the Kowloon community, working closely with charities HandsonHK and Po Leung Kuk over the last few years. The “Kowloon Cares” program caters for both physically and intellectually disabled children across Hong Kong by hosting regular community days throughout the year. “Kowloon Community Days provide opportunities for our members, corporate teams and volunteers from the community to unite and actively engage children in suitable rugby-related activities. With the experience and knowledge, we have gained working with leaders in this field we are now focused on creating a mixed ability rugby team here in the city, with the hope this evolves into a small league which sees representation from other clubs” added Dean. Kowloon have taken their first steps towards building a small squad and continue to engage with charities and other
sporting groups to reach as many people as possible in the community, with some Kowloon elite players assisting the Love 21 Foundation as part of their new rugby program.
“Having also had first-hand experience playing on the field with Phil I am aware of his competitive nature and drive to win - this is definitely something we need as a club with mixed results over the last few years. The guidance and support of DAC will no doubt help to ensure we can compete and deliver across the board in next season’s fixtures and provide a winning environment that all our members will be proud to be a part of.”
“I echo Dean’s comments and DAC is honoured to have the opportunity to work more closely with KRC,” stated Phil Groves on behalf of DAC. “It is an appropriate full circle to join KRC as a sponsor after having played my first rugby with KRC at the Kowloon Rugbyfest in 2013. We look forward to a fruitful relationship that will impact not just KRC, but the development of rugby in Hong Kong and elsewhere.
With the Hong Kong 7’s cancelled in October and a reduced fixture list affecting the rugby world globally, the Hong Kong Premiership is lining up to be a fantastic competition with all Men’s and Ladies Premiership teams having bolstered their squads over the summer break. The season begins in November with all Premiership games broadcast live on Facebook. If you would like to stay up to date with Kowloon Rugby Club make sure to follow on all their social channels by clicking here.
***DAC Management LLC***
DAC Management LLC and its affiliates are a privately held firm that provides credit, intellectual property, and strategic advisory solutions to global investors and multinational companies operating in China.