Today’s guest, Robbie McRobbie, is a Scottish-born, British-educated, former police officer who is currently the CEO of the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU). Furthermore, he is a recipient of an MBE award for the role he has played in changing the lives of at-risk youth through sport, as well as the work he has done to advance UK/Hong Kong relations.
HKRU was the only national sports association to have a charity component, and we hear about the success of HKRU’s Community Foundation. Robbie's focus though is currently on the globally recognised Hong Kong Sevens Tournament, which Robbie is hopeful to have up and running again in November. The pandemic has meant that the past few years have not been easy, and Robbie speaks with humility about the challenges they have faced and the exciting plans he has for HKRUs future.
“[At Operation Breakthrough] we used sport and engagement with police officers to try and provide them with some positive role models and to try to break down barriers between the cops and the kids so the two sides stopped seeing each other as the enemy.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:06:39]
“If you’re lucky enough to be handed the reins, the mantle, the opportunity to take a lead with the Rugby Sevens, you feel very much like you are being handed a family heirloom to look after.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:12:36]
“Our hope and aim and objective is to get the Sevens back as soon as it is safe and practical. We have a date for November this year, so fingers crossed for that.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:18:59]
“One of the key focuses of the current strategic plan is to become a more data-driven organisation.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:31:14]
Today’s guest, Robbie McRobbie, is a Scottish-born, British-educated, former police officer who is currently the CEO of the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU). Furthermore, he is a recipient of an MBE award for the role he has played in changing the lives of at-risk youth through sport, as well as the work he has done to advance UK/Hong Kong relations.
HKRU was the only national sports association to have a charity component, and we hear about the success of HKRU’s Community Foundation. Robbie's focus though is currently on the globally recognised Hong Kong Sevens Tournament, which Robbie is hopeful to have up and running again in November. The pandemic has meant that the past few years have not been easy, and Robbie speaks with humility about the challenges they have faced and the exciting plans he has for HKRUs future.
“[At Operation Breakthrough] we used sport and engagement with police officers to try and provide them with some positive role models and to try to break down barriers between the cops and the kids so the two sides stopped seeing each other as the enemy.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:06:39]
“If you’re lucky enough to be handed the reins, the mantle, the opportunity to take a lead with the Rugby Sevens, you feel very much like you are being handed a family heirloom to look after.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:12:36]
“Our hope and aim and objective is to get the Sevens back as soon as it is safe and practical. We have a date for November this year, so fingers crossed for that.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:18:59]
“One of the key focuses of the current strategic plan is to become a more data-driven organisation.” — Robbie McRobbie [0:31:14]