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Jockey Club football programme gives youngsters opportunity to shine

05/26/2014

Boys and girls aged 4 to 17 who show talent for football are being invited to join the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme – Summer Scheme.  Run by the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA), the Programme offers systematic training for youngsters and further grooming for talented players.

Today (26 May), the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joined HKFA Chairman Brian Leung, Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe and Leisure and Cultural Services Chief Leisure Services Manager (Sports Development) Joanne Fu at the launch ceremony for the Programme at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said football development was definitely not just about hardware, it was also about software which usually started with a broad engagement programme and that’s why the Club was very delighted to support this programme with a HK$12.15 million donation from its Charities Trust.

The three-year Programme, now in its third year, is comprised of two parts – Summer Scheme and Training Scheme.  Enrolment in the Summer Scheme, which runs from July to August, is open to both boys and girls aged 4 to 17 on a first come, first served basis through the HKFA’s website: www.hkfa.com.  This year, participants will have more chances to take part in mini-games to gain experience, as well as join all training sessions.

As an extension to the Summer Scheme, participants showing strong talent will have the opportunity to receive year-round drills under the Training Scheme.  The most promising players will then be selected to join the two-week Jockey Club Elite Youth Football Camp, where they will be trained by world-class coaches from the Manchester United Soccer School. The two best players from the Camp will have the chance to go for a one-week training programme held in August at MU’s football academy in England.

The Club has long been a staunch supporter of local football development, contributing over HK$170 million over the past few years. Examples include funding the construction of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre in Shek Mun, Sha Tin; supporting HKFA to organise the AFC U-14 Championship 2014-Qualifiers (Group H) Competition in Hong Kong; and sponsoring the Hong Kong Games and its Futsal competition.

Apart from the three-year Jockey Club Elite Youth Football Camp, the Club is collaborating with Manchester United to run another three football-related programmes.  They are the Jockey Club Youth Football Fitness Assessment; the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme and the Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme.

The Jockey Club Youth Football Fitness Assessment and Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme are aimed at bringing together overseas and local professionals in football training and sports science, to provide chances for young players to reach their full potential.  The Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme is designed to boost young people’s organisational and leadership skills and nurture future young community leaders.

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.

The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says football development is not only about hardware, but also about software which usually starts with a broad engagement programme, and the Club is very delighted to support the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme with a HK$12.15 million donation.
The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says football development is not only about hardware, but also about software which usually starts with a broad engagement programme, and the Club is very delighted to support the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme with a HK$12.15 million donation.

The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st left) officiates at the launch ceremony with HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (2nd right); Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe (2nd left); Leisure and Cultural Services Chief Leisure Services Manager (Sports Development) Joanne Fu (1st right) and young footballers.
The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st left) officiates at the launch ceremony with HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (2nd right); Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe (2nd left); Leisure and Cultural Services Chief Leisure Services Manager (Sports Development) Joanne Fu (1st right) and young footballers.

The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (6th left) joins HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (6th right), Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe (5th left), Leisure and Cultural Services Chief Leisure Services Manager (Sports Development) Joanne Fu (5th right) and the Programmea£á?s ambassadors Tong Kin-man from local First Division club Sun Pegasus (3rd left); Ngan Lok-fung from local First Division club Royal Southern (2nd right); Chan Wing-sze (2nd left) and Chak Ka-man (Leung (4th right) from Hong Kong Womena£á?s Team; and young footballers to kick off this yeara£á?s Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme a£á¡§ Summer Scheme.
The Cluba£á?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (6th left) joins HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (6th right), Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe (5th left), Leisure and Cultural Services Chief Leisure Services Manager (Sports Development) Joanne Fu (5th right) and the Programmea£á?s ambassadors Tong Kin-man from local First Division club Sun Pegasus (3rd left); Ngan Lok-fung from local First Division club Royal Southern (2nd right); Chan Wing-sze (2nd left) and Chak Ka-man (Leung (4th right) from Hong Kong Womena£á?s Team; and young footballers to kick off this yeara£á?s Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme a£á¡§ Summer Scheme.

The Programmea£á?s ambassadors Tong Kin-man (1st left); Ngan Lok-fung (2nd left); Chan Wing-sze (2nd right) and Chak Ka-man (1st right) as well as young footballers share their passion for the sport.
The Programmea£á?s ambassadors Tong Kin-man (1st left); Ngan Lok-fung (2nd left); Chan Wing-sze (2nd right) and Chak Ka-man (1st right) as well as young footballers share their passion for the sport.

Photos 5/6:<br>
The Programmea£á?s ambassadors and young footballers.
Photos 5/6:
The Programmea£á?s ambassadors and young footballers.


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