RENAISSANCE MAN OF LOCAL RUGBY
Former coach helped the Hong Kong sevens squad emerge as one of the strongest teams in Asia
Jim Rowark 1947-2021
“Renaissance, Revolution, Reformation”. Jim Rowark wrote this on the chalkboard for his Form Three history students as he was about to begin the chapter on Europe’s emergence from the Middle Ages to global leaders in arts, philosophy and economics.
Rowark was all those things to Hong Kong rugby, from when he first arrived in the city in 1977 to his time as the senior team coach who won two Hong Kong Sevens Plate titles and qualified the squad for the 1989 Cup competition.
Hong Kong rugby is in mourning after Rowark died on Friday at the age of 73 in England following a long battle with cancer. He was Hong Kong rugby’s “Renaissance Man”. A teacher at King George V School, he revolutionised coaching methods, reformed his players by improving fitness standards and helped the Hong Kong sevens team emerge as one of the strongest in Asia.
American Stuart Krohn, who was Rowark’s inspirational forward and engine room of the great Hong Kong side who won the 1992 Plate title at a rain-sodden Government Stadium, said the squad were “forever brothers” under their mentor.
“Jim made us run brutal workouts at the Aberdeen track every Wednesday, timed runs and many sprints. For a big man like me, well let’s just say I complained my way through it when my lungs would allow it,” Krohn said.
“He got us all fit enough that we had the extra energy boost to outlast Tonga in a sudden death final [in 1992], and the joy from that victory resides with us all still to this day. We wouldn’t have made it through to the final if it had not been for Jim nudging us along, coaxing us to stick together, and mostly, for believing in our ability to accomplish great things.
“All of Hong Kong celebrated that win, and for those of us that shared it, we are eternally grateful for your leadership. Forever brothers.”
The squad was captained by Craig Pain and apart from Krohn featured ball-winning hooker Gary Cross, Australian speedster Stewart Brew, Ian Strange and players from the Royal Regiment of Wales who were stationed in Hong Kong at the time.
Cross said Rowark, who also won the Plate in 1990, gave him a sense of self-belief as he became
an indispensable part of the side. He remembers the good times off the field as well as on it, recalling Rowark’s laughter when the Welshman decided to take a swan dive out of a balcony window into the swimming pool below during a trip to Dubai.
“I will forever remember Jim Rowark howling with laughter as I launched out the fourth floor restaurant balcony window at full running speed and hitting the swimming pool like a brick,” said Cross. “I can still see him laughing now and shaking his head. Thank you Jim Rowark for believing in me. It was an honour.”
Rowark had two spells as sevens coach. He led the team to the Bowl at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1999 and 2001.
“Jim was erudite, a teacher. He loved his family. He was loyal to his band of brothers that he was going to battle with. He pushed us,” Krohn said.