Exciting Hong Kong Rugby launch for Saint-André’s PSA Academies

Leading high performance sports business PSA Academies, co-founded by ex-French National coach Philippe Saint-André, has today announced a partnership with Soccer Academy HK Ltd. to deliver a ground breaking rugby programme in Hong Kong, launching in the first half of 2017.

Following the successful launch of the PSA Academies Rugby Academy in July in Tignes, the parties have agreed a partnership for an initial three-year period. The programme will be targeted at young players from 10-18 years of age across the Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province, with a specific focus on providing opportunities and development for underprivileged children.

The announcement comes at a very exciting time for the game in Hong Kong and the wider Asian market, with the run in to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan expected to drive increasing levels of interest across the general public at large in the region.

Speaking at the launch photo call in the Toulon area, PSA Academies’ Philippe Saint-André said, “We believe that in both the Hong Kong market and our partner Philippe Bru, we have found a great strategic fit for our brand and business. We are passionate about rugby and maximising the potential of young players so finding a partner that shared the same vision was vitally important and with that in place, we look forward to launching the programme early next year.”

In response, Philippe Bru, CEO of Soccer Academy HK Ltd. spoke about the opportunity the partnership presents, “With his standing in the world game, Philippe is massively respected by the rugby followers in Hong Kong and we look forward to connecting himself and the PSA Academies brand with both potential local partners and the community.  Having spent a week with PSA Academies in Tignes this summer, I firmly believe that what we will jointly offer will prove a massive hit in the market”.

Note to editors:

Philippe Saint-André Bio

Following an illustrious playing career at the highest level with France, which included 69 test caps, 34 as captain, Philippe went on to become one of the sport’s top coaches, successfully landing the English Premiership and European Challenge Cup during his time with Sale Sharks, coaching top sides Gloucester and RC Toulon, before taking on the ultimate challenge of leading his national team, from his 2011 appointment as head coach through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

PSA Academies (www.psaacademies.com) is a high performance sports business established in December 2015 by co-founders Philippe Saint-André, Ian Lewis and Graham Ross.  Its mission is to ‘create a leading high performance international sports coaching & personal development business that, by providing customised experiences & expert services, exceeds the needs & expectations of customers of all ranges of age and playing ability.’

Soccer Academy HK Ltd. has a track record of delivering world class youth sports programmes, having run the AC Milan Soccer Schools from 2010 to 2014.  With its charitable arm Football for Life (www.footballforlife.org), the business has worked closely with the Hong Kong government and other stakeholders to better the lives of underprivileged children through the sport of football.

About PSA Academies

Established in November 2015 by Philippe Saint Andre, Ian Lewis and Graham Ross, PSA Academies has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s foremost high performance youth sport businesses.

Launching with the Tignes Rugby Academy in July 2016, the business has disrupted the youth sports camp market in rugby by delivering a programme that offers a unique, transformative experience for young players.

For 2017, PSA Academies is focused on adding to the programme, delivering new content, resources and partners to continue pushing the bar for high performance youth sports development. For more information, see www.psaacademies.com.