The Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) will examine the best ways to tap into the potential for commercial growth in the women’s game as its webinar series continues on Wednesday.
In the second of four webinars that are being held during September as part of the Women and Girls Conference 2021, participants will discuss how to market and grow female participation in Asia.
Wasps Women fly-half Florence Williams, founder of The Perception Agency, will provide input into the discussion as a guest speaker.
Join us for our second HKRU Women’s Conference community talk this Wednesday! We’re chatting to Flo Williams from The Perception Agency who has played rugby from grassroots all the way to the highest level and now specialises in sports marketing. Sign up: https://t.co/eTwtYpVSZ3 pic.twitter.com/bJD0UYiUvK
— HKRU (@HongKongRugby) September 6, 2021
Williams has built a career in marketing alongside her playing commitments and started her own agency with the aim of changing how women’s sport is perceived.
She believes that marketing is the best vehicle with which to drive that change and will guide participants through her experiences in pursuit of that goal.
Topics to be discussed during the webinar include how to market the women’s game, demonstrating its uniqueness, attracting commercial interest, aligning with men’s clubs and the use of language in team names.
Wednesday’s 45-minute session is scheduled to begin at 18:45 HKT (GMT +8) and will be held online, meaning participants can join from the comfort of their own home, workplace or even the rugby pitch.
If you are interested in attending the session you can register through the official HKRU website. However, do not worry if you are not able to join on Wednesday as there will be two further opportunities to connect with the webinar series.
On Friday, New Zealand's Olympic gold medallist Tyla Nathan-Wong will join Hong Kong sevens international Chloe Chan and age-grade star Hayley Lai for a conversation about being a female player.
The trio will discuss their rugby journeys and share training and work/life balance tips, while there will be a chance for participants to ask the guests questions.
Next Wednesday, meanwhile, the fourth and final webinar will feature Jamie Wilson, co-owner of The Value Xchange, who will share insight into the opportunities available for the women's game with commercial organisations.
The HKRU has set out its vision to be a “vibrant and multi-ethnic sports community, comprising people of all ages playing, coaching, refereeing, supporting and administering a dynamic, competitive and enjoyable game that emphasises fair play, teamwork, leadership, endeavour, family and social inclusion”.
Hong Kong is host to a flourishing women’s domestic league which comprises 24 teams across three divisions.
The national team, meanwhile, competed at Rugby World Cup 2017 and remains in the hunt for a place at New Zealand 2021, playing in 2022.
