Results of Hong Konga£á?s first youth football fitness assessment announced

01/18/2014

Research findings of the Jockey Club Youth Football Fitness Assessment were unveiled today (18 January) at a Hong Kong Youth Football Fitness Seminar organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Assessment programme, Hong Kong’s first-ever study of its type, is a joint Club initiative with Manchester United Football Club. Its results of which will enable a football fitness database on the city's youth players to be established for the first time, helping local coaches optimise their training programmes and enhancing the overall standard of football training in Hong Kong.

The HKJC's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club aimed through this exercise to provide a solid understanding of the profile of Hong Kong youth footballers in terms of their explosiveness, speed, agility and endurance – the core attributes of any world-class player – then benchmark the results against those of similar-aged players from elsewhere and create a database for future assessments and reference.  “This is a crucial step towards raising the standards and competitiveness of football in Hong Kong, which is the ultimate goal of all the Jockey Club's commitments to local development of the sport,” he explained.

Long dedicated to supporting sports development in Hong Kong, the Club has committed more than HK$170 million to football-related projects alone in recent years.  “Through these initiatives of Jockey Club, we aim not only to help the city's young players improve their physical fitness and technical skills, but also to strengthen their mental qualities of determination and self-discipline, and learn respect for the values of teamwork and fair play.” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

The Hong Kong Football Association, another Club partner highly supportive of the initiative, welcomed the establishment of the city’s first youth football database.  HKFA Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe said the Association was delighted to be part of this collaboration. “Identifying current fitness levels and establishing benchmarks are critically important for Hong Kong footballers as we strive to be more competitive on the world stage. This project is invaluable,” he told delegates at today’s seminar.

The fitness data assessment was conducted and analysed by experts from the HKJC Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  It recommends that bodyweight strength training (e.g. counter-movement jumps) and high intensity interval training performed in a progressive manner (e.g. small-side games) are most beneficial for youth players under 16.  Bodyweight strength training, it says, is especially useful in building explosive power.  However, it recommends that such training is done under coach supervision to avoid the risk of injury during this crucial stage of a young person's musculoskeletal development.

Some 386 local players aged between 13 and 15 went through the Jockey Club Youth Football Fitness Assessment between September and November 2013.  These local results were then benchmarked against comparable data from the United Kingdom provided by Manchester United.  It was found that generally, UK youth players command a higher level of fitness than local players in the same age groups.

More than 200 people participated in today’s seminar, including local sports science experts and sports professionals, lecturers and students from sports faculties, and coaches from the HKFA and local schools.  Speakers included Manchester United's Head of Recovery and Regeneration Robin Thorpe, who explained the highly scientific approach to fitness training nowadays adopted by the English champions. Mr Thorpe is responsible for conducting practical field and gym-based conditioning programmes for first team players of Manchester United.

Another new project resulting from the partnership between the Club and Manchester United, the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, is also making good progress in 15 participating secondary schools across Hong Kong.  The Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS), Christopher O’Brien, is currently stationed in Hong Kong and making regular visits to the schools involved.  It is hoped that the programme will not only bring international football coaching standards to Hong Kong schools, but also benefit the students through the professional training and positive learning environment provided by MUSS.

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 Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 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. 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.