The Rugby (英式橄榄球) World Cup is currently being held in New Zealand. The tournament, due to finish on October 23, is living up to the famous English saying, “Rugby is a thug's (暴徒) game played gentlemen. ”

The games are physically aggressive; the tackles (冲撞) on the pitch are brutal; but the end of each match is a civilized affair. Players shake hands and applaud each other. Of course, the other side to this saying is: "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. " Indeed, unlike soccer players, rugby players don't often question the referee's (裁判员) decisions or pretend to be injured when they are not.

“Football could learn a lot from rugby," said Brian Moore, a former England rugby player "The wonderful spirit of rugby is: there is a gentlemanly code to it. You play hard on the pitch, but you always respect your opponent..

Rugby is mainly played in Europe. Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. "It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game," said Peter, a Welsh rugby coach. "Rugby is also a far superior test of strength, stamina (耐力) and determination. "

Most professional rugby players are large, strong and weigh over 90 kilograms. People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. Black eyes, broken bones, lost teeth and being knocked unconscious—all these are common injuries. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.

In England, children begin playing the game at school at the age of 8. When they enter high school, many begin to play full contact rugby. Children are taught to play for around one hour a week during their PE lessons. Most schools have a rugby team. Children who play for the school team are usually the sportiest kids, and are seen as brave and athletic.

The people of Hong Kong have always worked hard. Sometimes in the past, they had no time for rest or play. Today things have changed, and people have begun to learn how to play as well as working.

Over the past few years, the Government has built swimming pools and sports grounds all over Hong Kong. The Recreation and Sports Service has also played a big part in helping the people of Hong Kong to enjoy sports and outdoor activities. It has set up an outdoor recreation center in Sai Kung, and thousands of people have had short, active holidays with plenty of sports in the countryside. New holiday centers are being prepared in Tsuen Wan, Disneyland and Sai Kung, including a water sports center in Tai Po. The R.S.S. is also helping other organizations to set up holiday camps. The R.S.S. used to be part of the Education Department. Now it has become part of the Home Affairs Department. Students are not the only people who need recreation and sports.

At one time, only rich people could afford to sail, to join squash and tennis clubs, to water-ski, etc. Now more and more people are taking part in more different kinds of sports. Thousands have learnt to swim, or to play such popular games as tennis, football, squash and basketball. Many have discovered the joy of cycling or have learnt to sail. Gymnastics has become popular outside school. Walking and camping in the countryside or on the beach have become weekend activities to many more.

Many people live in small, crowded houses, and work long hours doing boring jobs in factories and offices. Their spare time should not be spent at the cinema or watching TV. They need fresh air and outdoor activities. The Recreation and Sports Service is making many people healthier and happier.

The first time I realized that I had a love for sports competitions was during the Field Day in elementary school. Small for my age, and more of a bookworm than a sports enthusiast, I had suffered that special humiliation of being picked last for various gym teams. The Field Day, which focused on individual skills, was different. In the Softball Throw event, I got my first taste of sporting victory. Credit goes to the example of my first coach, my father. He lifted weights every morning at home. He bought us all baseball gloves and hats, and in the warm months, we spent hours playing catch. Come fall, our backyard football games began with passing practice.

Once I got to sixth grade and switched to private school, our entire student body was assigned to either the Red or the White team. Throughout the year, we competed against each other in various games and exercises for points. I eventually became president of The Committee of Games, accelerating (加速) my competitive fever. However, in girls’ sports games at my school, I was no star. I also played on the field hockey team and the basketball team. School sports did not bleed into the weekends, as they do today, but at home, playing tennis, skating, skiing and biking were simply normal things we did. During break time, magazines were also quite popular for us teens. These regularly featured articles on physical exercise. Somehow, my college roommate and I took up the habit of completing Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) exercises every day, a practice that continued into my marriage, when we had no spare funds to use to join a gym.

So, though it shocks some of our friends, that early foundation evolved in adulthood into a sports and fitness focus, considered essential even on vacation. I still love reading and the arts, too. As far as I’m concerned, life is the richest with my feet in both worlds.