Cathay Rugby Good launches wellness carnival for 10,000 Hong Kong students

Cathay Pacific Launches Flagship Wellness Initiative Targeting 10,000 Hong Kong Students

Cathay Pacific and Rugby For Good have unveiled the inaugural GET SET MOVE programme, a groundbreaking wellness carnival designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among secondary school students across Hong Kong. The launch event, held on March 28, 2026, marked the beginning of an ambitious year-long initiative that integrates rugby coaching, interactive games, and mental health education into schools throughout the region. This partnership represents a significant commitment from the airline to support youth wellness while celebrating the carrier's 80-year operational legacy in Asia-Pacific aviation.

The GET SET MOVE programme addresses growing concerns about student mental health by using rugby as a vehicle for teaching essential life skills. Rather than traditional wellness lectures, the initiative immerses young people in hands-on, sport-based learning experiences that make mental fitness feel as natural and enjoyable as athletic training itself.

Cathay's 80-Year Legacy Meets Student Wellness Vision

Cathay Pacific's commitment to this wellness initiative reflects the airline's broader corporate responsibility strategy. Ivan Chan, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the carrier, emphasized the significance of the launch: "In celebrating 80 years of Cathay, our ambition is to positively impact 80,000 lives. The 'Cathay GET SET MOVE Programme' plays a pivotal role in achieving this vision."

This ambitious goal demonstrates how established airlines are diversifying their social impact beyond traditional aviation operations. By partnering with specialized organizations like Rugby For Good, Cathay rugby good initiatives create measurable change in communities they serve. The programme's 2026 rollout will establish a foundation for expanding mental health education across educational institutions in Hong Kong and potentially across the airline's wider network.

The collaboration also showcases how corporate wellness programmes can scale when airlines leverage their brand visibility and operational infrastructure. Cathay's investment in this carnival-style launch generated significant student engagement and media attention.

The GET SET MOVE Mobile Hub Brings Rugby Coaching to 40+ Schools

The centerpiece of the Cathay rugby good initiative is the innovative "Cathay GET SET MOVE Mobile Hub," an aircraft-inspired mobile classroom designed to deliver rugby coaching directly to schools. This specialized hub will visit more than 40 Po Leung Kuk primary and secondary schools throughout Hong Kong, bringing professional coaching and wellness education to students who might otherwise lack access to specialized athletic instruction.

The mobile hub concept reflects a practical approach to scaling educational programmes. Rather than requiring students to travel to centralized facilities, the hub brings expert coaching, interactive learning stations, and wellness resources directly to school campuses. This model reduces barriers to participation and allows teachers to integrate sessions into existing physical education curricula.

Each visit includes structured rugby coaching sessions, mental wellness workshops, and activities centered on the 4Rs framework. The aircraft design of the hub serves both functional and symbolic purposes—it reinforces Cathay Pacific's aviation heritage while creating an engaging, memorable environment for student learning. Schools can book sessions through a centralized online portal, with scheduling coordinated to maximize geographic coverage across Hong Kong's diverse districts.

4Rs Charter: Rest, Relaxation, Resilience, and Relationships Framework

The GET SET MOVE programme centers on the Hong Kong government's 4Rs charter, a evidence-based framework for student mental wellness. Each element addresses critical aspects of adolescent psychological health:

Rest emphasizes the importance of adequate sleep and recovery for both physical performance and emotional regulation. Through rugby examples, coaches teach students how elite athletes prioritize rest as part of their training regimen.

Relaxation focuses on stress management techniques and mindfulness practices that students can integrate into daily routines. Interactive sessions demonstrate how breathing exercises, visualization, and recreational activities support mental health.

Resilience develops the psychological capacity to overcome setbacks, adapt to challenges, and maintain motivation during difficult periods. Rugby provides natural teaching moments—recovery from dropped balls, adaptation to opponent strategies, and persistence through physical fatigue.

Relationships underscores the critical role of social connection in mental wellness. Team sports naturally facilitate relationship building while teaching communication, trust, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

By structuring the programme around these four pillars, organizers ensure that mental health education feels integrated with athletic development rather than isolated or stigmatized. Students learn that mental fitness requires the same intentional practice and development as physical fitness.

Olympic Champion Siobhán Haughey Inspires Next Generation

Olympic medallist Siobhán Haughey, serving as Cathay Pacific's Brand Ambassador, played a prominent role in the carnival launch and will continue supporting the programme throughout 2026. Haughey's involvement lends credibility and inspiration to the wellness message, as her athletic achievements demonstrate the tangible benefits of disciplined training, resilience, and self-care.

During carnival events, Haughey engaged directly with students, sharing personal experiences about maintaining mental fitness alongside physical training. Her message emphasized that challenges are natural aspects of any pursuit—whether competitive swimming or personal development—and that resilience built through sports translates to life success.

Haughey's participation also diversifies the programme's athletic focus. While rugby forms the core teaching vehicle, incorporating perspectives from Olympic athletes in other sports demonstrates that mental wellness principles apply universally across athletic disciplines and non-athletic contexts.

Traveler Action Checklist: How to Support Student Wellness Initiatives

If you're traveling to Hong Kong or connected to educational institutions in the region, here are actionable steps to engage with or support student wellness programmes:

1. Check GET SET MOVE event calendar on Cathay Pacific's corporate website to learn about upcoming mobile hub visits to schools in your area.

2. Encourage educational institutions you're affiliated with to submit booking requests for hub visits during the 2026 calendar year.

3. Share programme information with students, parents, or educators who might benefit from rugby coaching and mental wellness resources.

4. Follow Cathay Pacific social media channels for updates on carnival events, student testimonials, and programme expansion announcements throughout 2026.

5. Consider corporate wellness partnerships if your organization operates in Hong Kong—the GET SET MOVE model demonstrates scalable approaches to employee and community mental health.

6. Report school participation to local educational authorities to help track programme reach and impact across Hong Kong's secondary school system.

Key Programme Facts and Figures

Metric	Details
Programme Name	Cathay GET SET MOVE
Partnership	Cathay Pacific + Rugby For Good
Launch Date	March 28, 2026
Target Reach	10,000+ Hong Kong students in 2026
Mobile Hub Visits	40+ Po Leung Kuk schools
Framework	4Rs Charter (Rest, Relaxation, Resilience, Relationships)
Brand Ambassador	Siobhán Haughey (Olympic medallist)
Corporate Goal	Impact 80,000 lives celebrating Cathay's 80-year milestone
Integration Model	Secondary school PE lessons and school events
Hub Design	Aircraft-inspired mobile classroom

What This Means for Travelers and Education Stakeholders

The GET SET MOVE programme signals an industry-wide shift toward airline corporate responsibility that extends beyond carbon reduction and sustainability reporting. Carriers like Cathay Pacific recognize that meaningful community impact requires direct engagement with pressing social issues, particularly youth mental health.

For travelers and education decision-makers, the programme demonstrates how private sector expertise can address public health priorities. The carnival format makes mental wellness accessible and non-stigmatizing—students engage with psychological concepts while participating in activities they enjoy.

Schools participating in the initiative gain access to professional rugby coaching and structured mental health curriculum without significant budget implications. The mobile hub model proves particularly valuable for under-resourced institutions. Students develop