Match Officials Announced for the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship

Asia Rugby has confirmed the line-up of match officials who will oversee the highly anticipated Asia Rugby Women’s Championship. This year’s tournament will see Asia’s top three women’s teams compete for the title of Champions of Asia, as well as crucial spots in the Rugby World Cup 2025 and the Women’s XV (WXV) competitions.

The stakes are particularly high this year. The champion of the tournament will earn a direct spot in the Rugby World Cup 2025 and a place in the WXV2, while the runner-up will qualify for the WXV3, keeping their World Cup dreams alive. The WXV competitions serve as pathways to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, with the top five non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 2024 earning a place in the prestigious global event.

The match officials for the tournament have been selected by Asia Rugby’s Selections and Appointments Panel and ratified by both the Asia Rugby Referees Committee and the Asia Rugby Chief Executive Officer. This careful selection process ensures that the highest standards of officiating will be maintained throughout the competition.

Related Articles
3 Women’s Teams contest for Asia’s Direct Ticket to Rugby World Cup 2025 in Hong Kong SAR
Lesley Mckenzie excited to help Japan realise potential on road to Rugby World Cup 2025

Match Schedule and Officials

22 May: Hong Kong China vs Japan
Kick-off: 18:30
Venue: Kings Park Sports Ground
Referee: Christabelle Lim (Singapore Rugby Union)
Assistant Referee 1: James Perry (Singapore Rugby Union)
Assistant Referee 2: Darroch Chua (Singapore Rugby Union)
Television Match Official: Jaco De Wit (United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation)
Live Link

27 May: Japan vs Kazakhstan
Kick-off: 19:00
Venue: Kings Park Sports Ground
Referee: Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China Rugby)
Assistant Referee 1: Morgan White (Hong Kong China Rugby)
Assistant Referee 2: Aggie Poon (Hong Kong China Rugby)
Television Match Official: Stephen Copeman (Hong Kong China Rugby)
Live Link

1 June: Hong Kong China vs Kazakhstan (doubleheader (with ARMC HKG V UAE)
Kick-off: 18:30
Venue: Hong Kong Football Club
Referee: Tasuku Kawahara (Japan Rugby Football Union)
Assistant Referee 1: Koki Yamauchi (Japan Rugby Football Union)
Assistant Referee 2: Tetsuya Hirakawa (Japan Rugby Football Union)
Television Match Official: Just Wang (Singapore Rugby Union
Live Link

For those in Hong Kong, the first two matches are free entry with no ticket required. The last match is a double-header with Hong Kong China men taking on UAE in the first game of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship tickets are available via HKCR Website Link https://www.tickets.hkrugby.com/arc24

Asia Rugby will provide live coverage of all three matches on its official Facebook page and YouTube channel. Fans can also stay updated with the latest highlights and updates on Asia Rugby’s official Instagram page.

The Asia Rugby Women’s Championship promises to be an exhilarating showcase of Asian women’s Rugby at its best, with the added incentive of World Cup qualification making this year’s competition particularly thrilling. Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making as these teams vie for supremacy in Asian women’s rugby.