It's time to clean the dried mud from the boots, wash the dirty jerseys and buy a new mouthguard. Hong Kong colts rugby is gearing up for another season of tackles, scrums, rucks and try-scoring glory in 2002/2003.
The opening fixtures are pencilled in for September 29 with programmes lined up in three age groups: under-14, under-16 and under-19.
Player registration has been gathering pace since the beginning of this month via the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) Web site and through the individual clubs.
For the next three months, Sunday will be rugby day for more than 200 young players, with matches or training every week. Eight HKRFU-affiliated clubs from around the territory will provide nine teams in the under-14 category, four in the under-16s and three in the under-19s.
Last year's overall colts champions Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) will enter two teams in the under-14 category, where they will be challenged by the Flying Kukris, Stanley Fort, Twister, Kai Tak Tigers, Tai Po Dragons and Hong Kong University (Sandy Bay). In the under-16s, Kai Tak Tigers, Tai Po Dragons and one other team - yet to be confirmed - will be aiming to break HKFC's dominance.
The three under-19 teams will be confirmed when player registration is complete.
There will be matches every two weeks until January, with the New Year's Day Youth Rugby Tournament wrapping up the 15-a-side colts season.