RAS Weekender
Saturday 19TH November, 2011 @ 11.00am
MEET POINT: TBA
Venue: Shanghai Rugby Football Club, 2700 Zhang Yang Bei Lu, Waigaoqiao, Pudong
SIMON DRAKEFORD
on
THE HISTORY OF RUGBY IN SHANGHAI
Simon Drakeford’s presentation will lead a whistle stop tour through words and illustrations covering:
· How from the founding of the first ‘foot-ball’ club in Shanghai in 1867, the fortunes of the sport have been closely aligned with those of Shanghai.
· Stories and experiences of significant players throughout the club’s history
· Review the early days of football in Shanghai and demonstrate how the debates and arguments in England in the ‘soccer’ vs. ‘rugger’ debate were played out in Shanghai.
· How the first rugby club in Shanghai was founded in 1904 after four different combined rugby and football clubs all known as ‘The Shanghai Football Club’ met with little success and much disagreement
· How the rugby developed before the first world war
· The fortunes of Shanghai rugby players during the first world war
· How and why the inter war period became the golden age of rugby in Shanghai
· The fortunes of Shanghai rugby players during the second world war
· The slow death of the rugby club post second world war until the last game was played in 1950
· The rebirth of the club in the mid 1990s and consider how today’s challenges echo those of the past
Simon Drakeford has been playing rugby since he was ten years old; equally, since childhood, he has had a love of history. Combining his love of rugby and history and recently acquired fascination with Shanghai, 18 months ago he began researching the history of the Shanghai Rugby Club.
Simon has been in Asia since 1998 and has fully integrated himself into Asian Rugby. Starting in Hong Kong, he played for Kowloon and was the Founding President of the Pot Bellied Pigs RFC, Asia’s best known touring side. In Beijing, he was instrumental in reviving the fortunes of the Beijing Devils Rugby Club after the impact of S.A.R.S. nearly killed it off. During his four years in Beijing, he founded the Beijing Rugby League and co-founded the Yellow Sea Cup, featuring rugby teams from Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai amongst others. He was made Honorary Life Member of the Club in 2007.
In the past five years, Simon has served the Shanghai Rugby Club variously as secretary, second team captain and club captain as well as helping run the children’s programme for four years. He also co-founded the Shanghai Rugby League (the “Shanghai Bei”).
He graduated from Manchester University and became a Chartered Accountant. This is his first foray into historical research.
Entrance: RMB 150.00 (RAS members) and RMB 250.00 (non-members) RMB 150.00 (Rugby Club members) which includes transport to and from the Rugby Club, the talk and lunch. Entrance for talk only: RMB 30.00 (RAS and Rugby Club Members) RMB 80.00 (Non Members). Those unable to make the donation but wishing to attend may contact us for exemption, prior to the RAS Weekender event. Membership applications and membership renewals will be available at these events.
RSVP: to RAS Bookings at: bookings@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn
PROGRAMME FOR RUBGY TALK AND GAME DAY
11.00am Meet at TBA meeting point in central Shanghai
11.10am Take the bus to Waigaoqiao Rugby Club
12.00noon Presentation: History of Shanghai Rugby by Simon Drakeford, with Q&A
1.00pm Buffet Lunch at the Waigaoqiao Rugby Club
2.00pm Watch the game of the season Shanghai …… against Beijing ……..
OR stay warm and cosy in the Rugby Club House
4.15pm Get on the bus for return to central point in Shanghai
PLEASE BRING WARM CLOTHING TO WRAP UP IN DURING THE GAME