The Committee

Honourary Chair

Jeff Nankivell

Jeff Nankivell

Mr. Jeff Nankivell succeeded Mr. J. Ian Burchett as Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao in August 2016.

Since 2011, Jeff Nankivell has served as Director General and was responsible for Canada’s official development assistance in Asia, with the Canadian International Development Agency and then with Global Affairs Canada. After joining the Foreign Service in 1988, he served in various capacities with CIDA: as a project team leader with the China Program; at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, for two postings (1991 to 1995 and 2000 to 2004); as Country Analyst with the Russia Program; as Senior Program Manager for the World Bank Group, Multilateral Programs Branch; as Director, Strategic Policy in the Agency’s Policy Branch, and as Director, China and Northeast Asia. From 2008 to 2011, he was posted again to the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission. He has also worked at the Ontario Legislature and at South-The Third World Newsmagazine. He holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Political Sociology from the London School of Economics, and a Certificate (one-year program) in Chinese Language and Culture from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is an avid rugby fan.

Hong Kong Board of Directors

Randy Heward

Randy is a proud Canadian who has enjoyed supporting Canada at every Hong Kong 7s Tournament over the past 22 years. He is a founding member of the Canadian Rugby Hong Kong 7s and Olympic Fund and has enjoyed living in Hong Kong for 24 years. Randy played rugby at Magee High School in Vancouver and at the University of Western Ontario. He has a wife and two boys and enjoys coaching his son’s local Mini Rugby club, the Sai Kung Stingrays.

Fergus Wilmer

Fergus has been in Hong Kong for over 27 years. He is married with two teenage children. He played varsity rugby for Queens University in Canada, as well as for various clubs in Canada and Hong Kong. Fergus and Randy have been hosting Rugby supporters in the “Canada 7s Box” for many years.

John Coffeng

John has been cheering on the Canadian rugby 7s team since he arrived in Hong Kong 21 years ago. He is the father of three and a coach with the local Mini Rugby club, Sai Kung Stingrays. He started playing rugby in high school in Toronto and went on to play with Queen’s University.

Brian Lau

Brian is a transplanted Canadian with Hong Kong roots who has made the city his home since 2006.  Ironically, it was being in Hong Kong that made him more aware of International Rugby and his involvement in the fund started when he saw his son’s keen interest in the game – coupled with his desire to support all things Canadian.  He also currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and is Vice-chairman of the Board Of Governor’s for the Canadian International School of Hong Kong.

Brian works in a private equity firm focused on mid-market buyouts and investments across Asia.

Canadian Board of Directors

Rick Bourne

Rick played Rugby for Shawnigan Lake School, University of BC as well as internationally. He is currently a Mini Rugby Coach for his children’s team and supporter of Mini Rugby in the Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). He is also a Director & co-founder of the Ravens Rugby club in Vancouver. Currently as a director of NACRA and a Director and Past Chairman of Rugby Canada, Rick has travelled the world supporting the Rugby Canada 7s team. He is also a member of the Canadian Rugby Foundation and a Rugby Canada representative. Rick lives in Vancouver with his wife Dana and two (Mini Rugby) children, Jacob and McKinley.

Doug Tate

Doug has a long history supporting the Canadian National Team as the former National Sevens team coach from 1997-2002 and then again as Technical Director of the program from 2005 – 2009. He is a full time coach at the University of Victoria, where many of the National Team 7’s players train and attend university. Currently, he is helping to develop Elite Sevens players who can compete at the national level. Back in 2005, Randy Heward approached Doug and together with John Woodward, created this fund to ensure Canada could send the best national team to Hong Kong. Doug is married with two teenage boys who play Rugby 7s at the provincial level in British Columbia.

Kip Woodward

Kip was one of the original Canadians to travel to Hong Kong and participate in the Great Canadian Luncheon. He has continued to show unflagging support for the Men’s National 7s team by bringing many supporters to the Hong Kong rugby 7s to wave the flag and stir up the stadium. His rugby prowess was finely honed at Brentwood College as a member of the “Flying Fourths”. Kip’s son has lived in Hong Kong for over 8 years.

Committee Members

Kristen Harris

Kristen is the Events & Advancement Manger, and has lived in Hong Kong on and off for 23 years. Although she never played rugby herself (girls weren’t allowed too – way back when!) two of her three sons play and she is passionate about the game and a staunch supporter at the HK 7s.

Daniel Silverstein

Daniel’s first time on Hong Kong soil was in 2012 for the rugby 7s. He came for 3 days to cheer on Canada and had such a great time over the weekend that he ended up moving to Hong Kong! While Daniel has never been known as a rugby player, he is an avid sports lover and joined the Canadian Rugby Hong Kong 7s Fund to help put together a memorable experience for the Canadian players and fans who visit each year.

Andrew Work

Andrew Work has been in Hong Kong and vocally supporting the Canadian Rugby Sevens team for 19 years.  He was the Executive Director of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong from 2007 to 2012 and made his support more tangible by organizing the fundraising lunch for the national team during that time.  He sits on the Board of a number of NGOs in Hong Kong and has over 25 years of experience in event management and community building.