Fuzhou youth rugby event strengthens cross-Strait ties

The 10th Cross-Strait (Fujian) Youth Rugby Exchange Tournament hit the pitch on July 12 alongside the 2025 National Touch Rugby Regional Tournament (Fuzhou Station) at the Fuzhou Strait Olympic Sports Center.

The event featured varied formats across different age groups, including contact, touch, and flag rugby, drawing over 60 teams and 1,000 athletes from both sides of the Strait. It was both the largest-ever cross-Strait youth rugby exchange and the largest-ever national rugby event in Fujian province. On the field, young players competed fiercely while enjoying themselves.

The Cross-Strait (Fujian) Youth Rugby Exchange Tournament has been held annually since 2015, attracting over 5,000 young participants from both sides of the Strait. Over the years, the promotion of rugby in schools across Fujian province has made significant progress. As of June, 110 schools in the province had introduced rugby-related activities, making Fujian province the first region in China to establish a full-age development system from kindergarten to university.

In addition to the tournament, young coaches from Taiwan visited Fuzhou Municipal Kindergarten on July 13, promoting rugby and inspiring children's interest in sports.