The one and only Phuket Soccer 7s will celebrate its 10th anniversary this weekend. The 7th Andaman International Soccer 7s will be played on 17-18 November 2012, followed by the 10th Phuket International Soccer 7s Tournament on 24-25 November 2012.

The Sevens tournaments have grown to be the most popular in the Asia-Pacific region with an increased participation this year with up to 80 teams from 20 countries, including some ex-professional players and more than 30 nationalities.

1,500 participants, relatives, friends, supporters (mostly expatriates from all over Asia) and enthusiasts from Australia, England, France, Germany, Holland, Russia and Middle-East countries will participate in this years events. Over 300 games will be played, 24 trophies, 300 medallions, 150 pennants, 1.200 shirts and 1.500 tournament programs will be offered to the participants.

The party venue relationships continue with long standing supporters, the Taipan Discotheque and Soi Crocodile Bars in Patong Beach, who will host the Welcome and Awards Parties.

Hotel partnerships continue with the Patong Hotel and Resort, who will host the captains briefings and press conferences, and a selection of tournament hotels including Kamala Beach Estate, Patong Premier Resort, Royal Phawadee Village and Villa Ruen Thai.

This year Absolute World Group is sponsoring the Hong Kong All Stars Team so below apart from these very snazzy new kits we’ve profiled the team and will update you with their results over both weekends

Hong Kong All Stars
Player Name Name on Shirt Number
Stefan Fuchs Stef 1
Dirk Haddow Dirk 4
Ollie Rendall Rendall 20
Fouad Ceet Fouad Ceet 42
Robin Armstrong Robinho 11
Gary Rollinson Gazza 3
Peter Troy Peter 16
Mike Collier Mike 10
Ben McLannahan Ben 5
Jean luc Karlin JLK 17
Zinlap Tshering Lama Zin 9
Pascal Laroumanie Pascal 7
Chris Ingham Chris 14
Gary Luttrell Gary 8
Nick Halsey Nick 15
Joost Heignen Joost 18
Tony Healy Ninja 6
David Morson Morson 37
Bendouiou Tahar Nebat 19

Player bios

Stefan Fuchs (Germany, Member of Bayern Munich)

Living in HongKong since 2001 after having worked out of Vietnam and Korea from 1996 , I was a founding member and director of the board for one of the leading German Trading Company’s in Footwear and starting the Asia operation out of HongKong.

With my background of more than 25 years in the industry specialized in design and development I personally implemented 2 individual development centers in mainland China for my company and I have overseen the daily operation for 10 years . Recently I took on a new challenge as the Operational Director Footwear for a US based fashion house and I am leading the China Office for all development and production . As a founding member of the HK All Stars and now as manager (with joined efforts from Dirk Haddow,Joost Hejinen and Mike Collier) for the team I used to play regular 7 a side football socially and competitively but as I am also the Goalkeeper and playing manager for the 11 a side team Studz United in the HongKong Legal League as well as Goalkeeper in the Top Amateur division in HongKong for the German All Stars I had to reduce my 7 a side commitment .

 

Dirk Haddow (United Kingdom – Wolves Fan)

Having arrived in Hong Kong in 1995 after backpacking around the Indian sub-continent and SE Asia, I forged a career in the training and development industry, initially starting as a Corporate Trainer, and then moving into management.  With a background in sales, marketing and customer service, and entrepreneurial by nature, I have directly overseen the implementation of training solutions for hundreds of Fortune 1,000 companies, large companies and SME’s, and government departments in Hong Kong, Mainland China and throughout Asia.

Passionate, creative and innovative, I was the Partner and CEO of a leading communication skills consultancy for six years, heading up corporate training solutions in Hong Kong and Mainland China, before moving on to become the Co-founder and Director of E-quip Training Limited.  A founding member of the HK All Stars, I play regular 7-a-side football in Hong Kong, both socially and competitively and play right-back for an 11-a-side team, Studz United, who ply their trade in Hong Kong’s Legal League.

 

Oliver Rendall (United Kingdom – Man U Fan)

From a humble council estate to affluent bright lights of HK. The last 3 years have been both unexpected and an experience. After meeting a girl who was studying in England but lived in HK, she asked if I would give up my life to move to HK with her after her studies, as in her words not mine “she couldn’t live without me”. As not wanting to ruin her life I agreed and have now been here for 3 years. Arriving with no job I began applying. After numerous job rejections due to my poor verbal English skills I was offered a job in a trading company manufacturing kitchenware and housewares for global brands and designers. Spending a large amount of time in factories in China my English language restrictions were not noticed and I have managed to reach the position of production manager in 2 years.

Most recently due to my extensive knowledge of utensils, kitchen gadgets, cooking aids and tableware a local magazine “HK DB Women” ran an article describing me as a “middle aged housewives dream” again their words not mine. The similarities between HK and the humble council estate I was born are closer the you think….most week nights and weekends you will find men sitting on park benches drinking out of wine, beer and cider bottles acquired from the corner shop moaning about their jobs, wives and arguing about football.

I currently play for two 11 a side teams in HK on both Saturday and Sunday and occasionally 7 a side on a week night. It was after a competitive 7 a side game where I scored 5 goals that “HK DB fitness” magazine described me as the fittest player in HK” again their words not mine and HK All Stars approached me to play. I participated in 2010 tournament on which we won, but due to injury missed out last year. Being the youngest member of the ageing squad there is a big responsibility on me to keep the older members of the team up to date with the cool and groovy happenings. The team is a vast mixing of nationalities and backgrounds but the camaraderie and banter is second to none, win, lose or draw we stick together…even if some pillock heads it into his own net.

Robin Armstrong (United Kingdom – Leicester City)

I like many other players who play for the HK All Stars reside in Discovery Bay, a small Island of the mainland.  I have lived here for almost 13 years. I was brought out from London by a major international British Contractor to work on the Hong Kong airport contract (Chek Lap Kok Airport). Since then I have worked on numerous major civil projects within Hong Kong.  I am the founder of the “Discovery Bay football team” which has both 11 and 7 aside teams. The 7 aside team won the Manila International Soccer 7s tournament in 2008 and on the back of this achievement was invited to take part of the prestigious Hong Kong Football Club International Soccer 7’s in 2009. A brief narrative within the HKFC’s magazine described the Discovery Bay team as follows:

Led by the evergreen Robin Armstrong – comfortable on the ball, composed in the teamtalk and carefree at the bar – it is a requirement for all players to live on Discovery Bay and to quote Robin, “It’s a bit like playing for your country.”

We again were invited back in 2011 and 2012 competing against professional teams from UK such as Nottingham Forest and Glasgow Rangers. We managed to get to the quarter-finals of the main cup (vets) with a little help from our guest players David Howells and Manchester United’s 1999 triple winner Teddy Sheringham. I play regular 7 aside football within Discovery Bay and play 11 aside for Studz United.

Peter Troy (United Kingdom)

Absolutely qualifies for the Master’s tournament by taking 1 of the two places for the younger generation.

Arrived in Hong Kong in 1997 just before all the Brits were departing prior to the handover.

Spend a fortune on wine, women and fast cars, the rest was squandered!

Past experience:

Phuket 7’s 2010 – Champions
Hong Kong 7’s 2010 – Also rans
Manila 7’s 2011 – Champions

 

…. clearly the lucky mascot

 

Mike Collier ( United Kingdom – Bolton Wanderers Fan)

Made the move to Hong Kong in 1990 after being transferred by my company for what was supposed to be a 3 year assignment and 22 years later still in Hong Kong!  I have enjoyed a 25 year career to date in the Sporting Goods Industry having worked for industry giants Reebok, adidas and Nike in sourcing and supply chain positions and currently working for Wolverine Worldwide in a regional executive role. It was whilst playing for Studz United in the Hong Kong Legal League that scouts from the Hong Kong All Stars spotted my youthful potential and asked me to join their ranks for their second trip to Phuket to take part in the 7’s event.  The taste of silverware in that tournament whetted my appetite for a return visit last year and looking forward to a third tournament appearance to regain the title won in 2010.

 

Ben McLannahan (United Kingdom – Tottenham Fan)

I arrived in Hong Kong in 2008, dispatched by the Financial Times to write commentary on Asia for the Lex column. I made my debut in Phuket with the triumphant HK All-Stars team of 2010. Now in Tokyo with the Financial Times, covering markets and economics, I’m keen to win back the Masters trophy we surrendered (in my absence) last year. I play for British Embassy FC, a second-division club in Tokyo’s Metropolis League.

 

JLK (French – Olympique Lyonnais)

37 years old JLK moved from France to Hong Kong 15 years ago. He is married with two children and works in a French Financial Group.Like few others of the HK All Star, he lives in Discovery Bay. There he has been a regular in Friday night football sessions since 2006. He therefore took naturally part of the Friday Dragons team that joined the Andaman 7s in 2009, and which was later merged into the HK All Stars team he joined again in 2010, 2011 and this year. Like several others in the team, it is now his fourth participation to the Andaman 7s, and he hopes to add another medal to his collection of already four: 2011 Open Plate Champion and 2010 Masters Cup Champion with HK All Stars, and 2009 Open Bowl runner-up and Masters Bowl Champion with Friday Dragons!

 

Zinlap Tshering Lama (Nepalese)

A resident of Discovery Bay for around 7 years, most people know me as Zin, my full name sounds like an Olympic Event. You will find me most days coaching the stars of tomorrow in my role as Senior Coach at the HK Dragons Football Club in Discovery Bay.  A few times a year I pull on my boots and play in ‘Masters & Open tournaments’ around Asia representing both the ’HK Allstars and the ‘Mob’ with continued success. Normally played as a centre midfielder but due to old age (personally want to do less running) now play as a defender.  No challenge is too big and I can often be found hauling fridges up Mount Everest or sinking Whiskey & Cokes both with the same gusto.

 

Pascal Laroumanie (France – Olympique de Marseille Fan)

I Arrived in Hong Kong in 2006. I have been working for a shipping company (Maersk Line) for 5 years in different cities in France (Marseille, Fos-sur-Mer, Paris) then I moved to Hong Kong and I was hired by the same company. But I didn’t last long in that job because of the lack of freedom in the position. I then found a new job as manager of a subsidiary of a Swiss freight forwarder (Tremail Logistics Ltd). Our core business is the watch industry. Our main customers are famous watch & luxury products brands and we handle shipments for them for their products (watch parts, watch boxes, watch displays, furniture for shops) from suppliers located in mainland China, Hong Kong or Thailand.

I first lived on Hong Kong island for 2 years then moved to Discovery Bay where I met a bunch of guys playing football in the evening. I started playing on Friday night then Sunday night then Tuesday night then Thursday night… and the circle of mates with a common passion increased.  I am a regular member of the HK All Stars. I have been part of the squad from our first campaign in Phuket in 2009. This year will be our fourth and so far we have always brought at least one medal home. I play 7-a-side football several times per week in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong. My position is most of the time central midfield.

Chris Ingham (UK – Arsenal fan)
My name is Chris Ingham and I am 27 years old. I was born in England but moved to Asia as a young child and moved to Hong Kong at the age of 7. I left to attend university back in England and moved back to Hong Kong 3 years ago to begin my career in the recruitment industry with Initiative Recruitment with a focus on sales, marketing and senior management positions.
Football has always been a large part of my life and I currently play as a striker for Initiative FC in the Hong Kong Legal League on a Saturday and for the German All-Stars in the Yau Yee first division on a Sunday. I also participate in an indoor 5-a-side league on a Monday if I am not to sore!

 

Gary Luttrell (United Kingdom – Liverpool Fan)
Change and program management leader with experience in financial services, technology and management consulting organisations in Asia, UK and Australia. Passionate (like all Scots), enthusiastic, driven and ‘can do attitude’ to make a difference for customers, staff and shareholders. Played for the HK All Stars for a few years and a regular player in one of the social teams in Hong Kong. Looking forward to bringing the Cup back to Hong Kong in November!

 

Nick Halsey (Southampton fan)

Born in England, I moved to Canada at the age of 8. Ostracized by my Ice Hockey mad friends I maintained my love for football and continued to play all through school. After completing 1 year of university I started training to become a pilot at the local airport in Halifax, Canada. Upon completion of my licenses I started teaching people to fly. As I gained more experience I moved onto other positions flying cargo and passengers around Eastern North America. After a stagnation in the industry in Canada I had the opportunity to join Cathay Pacific, and in 2006 moved my wife and 2 young kids to Hong Kong.
I started playing Friday night football in Discovery Bay after getting settled
into life in Asia and became one of the original members of the HK All Stars.
I have since moved back to Canada and joined a local 11 a side team.
However, the yearly calling of the Andaman 7’s tournament with the All Stars has me embarking on a yearly pilgrimage half way around the world
to Phuket.

 

Joost Heijnen (The Netherlands – Feyenoord fan)

I arrived in Hong Kong 4.5 years ago. I am working for Rabobank, one of the main Dutch banks, as a financial markets risk manager.  Apart from being a boring banker, I am also an enthusiastic football player. When I was younger, I played for various first teams in the Netherlands as a defensive midfielder. Now that I am slightly older, I still play regularly albeit on a more recreational level: both seven a side and eleven a side.  Being able to participate in this great tournament is a great honor, and whilst being a recreational side we are definitely here to win some silverware.

 

Tony Healy (English – Man U Fan)

Nicknamed Froggy from his semi professional football days, Tony is a Financial Advisor, having worked in Hong Kong for the past 7 years, and before that in Moscow for 5 years

Born in Rochdale, Manchester, he started playing for a local team at the age of 8, making his way up to play semi professional at teams like Rochdale and Stockport.

After finishing his football career, he moved into Finance. Besides family and football, his other love is golf.

 

 

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