The Jockey Club Elite Youth Football Camp concluded today (27 July) after 64 of Hong Kong’s most promising young players completed two weeks of training under coaches from the Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS). The two most outstanding players will receive a further week’s training at Manchester United’s academy training camp in northern England in mid-August.
Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joined today’s graduation ceremony with Manchester United (MU) legend Bryan Robson and Technical Director of Hong Kong Football Association Steve O’Connor.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges congratulated all 64 graduates who had completed the training. “We think football is extremely good for leadership and personal development, so this elite training camp not only involves the world-class teams but it is also about how to become a better person. Besides the skills and the training, it is about fun and expressing yourself.”
He also noted that the Club had committed to provide long-term and comprehensive support for Hong Kong’s football development.
“I see this elite training camp a start of a strategic partnership and we would like to continue contributing to the development of football,” he said. “We have donated over HK$67 million in the past months to support different football programmes, including the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme, the construction of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre, and the partnership of Manchester United,” he said.
Noting that football was hugely popular in Asia, Bryan Robson said it was great to see so many young, talented players enter this programme. “Youth football is the future and being taught to play the United way with MUSS and the HKJC is a fantastic opportunity for any young player,” he said. “The two who will go on to train with the club’s youth academy will be educated in lessons that will last them a lifetime.”
The Jockey Club has provided HK$11 million funding to partner Manchester United in the Jockey Club Elite Youth Football Camp. In the coming two years, similar numbers of promising young footballers will have the chance to take part in two-week training camps under coaches from MUSS. This year’s coaches who trained the young players over the past two weeks were Michael Neary, Carl Wild, Jamie Fitzpatrick and Mike Walsh.
They selected Chan Pak-hei, aged 15 and Rico Chan, aged 16 as the best performers who will be given a lifetime opportunity for advancement by joining Manchester United’s academy training camp in England next month.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
Link to Youth Football Development website
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The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges extends his congratulations to all 64 graduates who have completed the training and sees this elite training camp a start of a strategic partnership and would like to continue contributing to the development of football.
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Manchester United legend Bryan Robson says football is hugely popular in Asia and it is great to see so many young, talented players enter this programme.
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The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right) presents a bronze horse to Manchester United legend Bryan Robson (left).
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The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st right) and Manchester United legend Bryan Robson (1st left) presents a dummy boarding pass to two best performers Rico Chan (2nd right) and Chan Pak-hei (2nd left).
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The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st row, 6th left) pictured with guests, coaches from the Manchester United Soccer School and the players of this yeara£á?s Jockey Club Elite Youth Football Camp.
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Chan Pak-hei (left) and Rico Chan (right) are going to join Manchester Uniteda£á?s academy training camp in England for a week in mid-August.
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