Corporate News

Club extends School Football Development Scheme to enhance sports development in primary and secondary schools

10/13/2015

In a further collaboration with leading English football club Manchester United, The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (13 October) launched a new phase of the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, which will, for the first time, include primary schools. Under the scheme, Hong Kong school teachers and football coaches receive training from Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in the latest professional and international standard coaching practices with the objective of raising the standard of football in local schools and thereby developing the physical, mental and social capabilities of Hong Kong’s young people.
The Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges explained at today's launch that sport is the ideal tool to instil positive values in young people. “Team sports, especially football, are a wonderful way to build character, to have discipline, to overcome difficulties and to build a never give up spirit, which are the competitive strengths of Hong Kong. We want to give confidence to young people and to help them achieve their dreams by pushing themselves to the highest level,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Over the past two years the scheme has helped enhance the training standards of football coaches and coaching in local schools. At today’s ceremony another three outstanding school coaches received accreditation as MUSS coaches. They are the second batch of local coaches to achieve this accreditation, allowing them to train in MUSS establishments anywhere in the world. So far a total of seven coaches have received MUSS accreditation through the scheme.

Under the new phase of the scheme 12 secondary schools and six primary schools will participate in a six-month training programme. Christopher O’Brien, Head Coach of MUSS in Hong Kong, will pay regular visits to the schools to offer guidance and support to teachers and coaches in training their football teams. A four-module coaching course will also be provided to the schools.

A total of 28 local schools have so far participated in the first two phases of the scheme, offering teachers, coaches and school teams the opportunity to benefit from the very latest football training techniques. The Club has also invited such Manchester United legends as Peter Schmeichel, Phil Neville, Dwight Yorke and Bryan Robson to visit the participating schools, giving the students a chance to play alongside and draw inspiration from their achievements.

The Club is a long-time supporter of local football development. Since 2012 it has been collaborating with Manchester United on four programmes designed to develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of young people, namely the JC Elite Youth Football Camp, the JC School Football Development Scheme, the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme and the JC Youth Football Fitness Assessment. The Club also supports the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Scheme, whose summer scheme is the largest such programme in Hong Kong. Most recently, in August, the Club announced a HK$120 million donation to support the Jockey Club HKFA 5-Year Football Development Programme, which aims to promote football across the community, including futsal and women’s football. In terms of infrastructure, the Club has supported the construction of the recently opened Jockey Club Kitchee Centre. And having rebuilt Hong Kong Stadium in the 1990s as a home for Hong Kong’s major domestic and international football games, the Club has recently funded and provided expert advice for the construction of its new grass surface.

Related Websitei?? Youth Football Development

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record $3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges speaks at todaya£į?s Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2015/16 press conference.
The Hong Kong Jockey Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges speaks at todaya£į?s Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2015/16 press conference.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (middle) officiates at the kick-off ceremony of the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2015/16 today to promote football development in local schools.
Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (middle) officiates at the kick-off ceremony of the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2015/16 today to promote football development in local schools.

Witnessed by Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (first right), Head Coach of MUSS in Hong Kong Christopher Oa£į?Brien (first left) presents accreditation as MUSS coaches to local school coaches Gabriel Wong (second left), Ericson Ng (third left) and Oliver Fung (second right), in recognition of their performance in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme.
Witnessed by Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (first right), Head Coach of MUSS in Hong Kong Christopher Oa£į?Brien (first left) presents accreditation as MUSS coaches to local school coaches Gabriel Wong (second left), Ericson Ng (third left) and Oliver Fung (second right), in recognition of their performance in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges poses for a photo with representatives of Manchester United and some of the students and teachers from the 18 schools participating in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2015/16.
Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges poses for a photo with representatives of Manchester United and some of the students and teachers from the 18 schools participating in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2015/16.

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