Jockey Club to help students achieve a healthier lifestyle

12/03/2015

Exercise is essential to children’s health. As a way of helping students achieve a healthier lifestyle, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has made a donation of HK$17.3 million to the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China (PFAHKC) to launch a 3-year pilot project called the Jockey Club Keep-Fit Formula for Children.  This will be the first united protocol for the physical fitness development of children in Hong Kong

Today (3 December) the Club’s Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan joined Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui and President of the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China, Dr John Wong, at the launch of the Jockey Club Keep-Fit Formula for Children and Physical Fitness Development Forum For Young Children.

Ms Chan explained that the Jockey Club Keep-Fit Formula for Children was a crossover between the academic curriculum and various sports and physical activities, and that schools and teachers would be given support to help implement it. In addition, data would be collected to develop an effective protocol for the physical fitness development of students.

“We believe the power of sport can help local residents lead healthier lives and create lifelong positive attitudes and values in Hong Kong society” she said. “The Club has long been supporting both the hardware and software elements of local sports development and has designated sport as one of its three strategic focus areas over the next few years. Through developing the concept of ‘Sportovation’, we would like to use innovation in sport to motivate individuals at all levels to take part, ranging from children to young people, adults and the elderly. By injecting various new elements, our intention is to arouse interest in taking up physical activities, so as to make exercise become a regular habit.”

The cross-disciplinary pilot programme will give younger students the chance to learn about physical literacy and exercise more often. Initially it will be implemented in 100 kindergartens and six primary schools, covering children from ages 3 to 9.  In total, over 19,000 students, 38,000 parents and 1,200 school personnel are expected to benefit through its various activities over the next three years.  In addition, 120 coaches will be trained in providing physical fitness development classes for children.

The key elements of the Jockey Club Keep-Fit Formula for Children are:

1. A united protocol will be developed for the physical fitness development of children in Hong Kong.
2. An Advisory Board will be formed with Scholars and experts from the sports, education, medical and health sectors.
3. A series of innovative, cross-disciplinary elements will be developed for the education curriculum, encouraging students to learn through physical fitness activities. 
4. Citywide Family Sports Days will be organised and aPhysical Fitness Award Scheme introduced, encouraging students to enhance their fitness levels.
5. Samples of lesson plans will be released quarterly for teachers’ reference, followed each time by webinars or online learning sessions to equip teachers with the relevant knowledge and skills. An Interactive Community Network will be established to promote discussion among them.
6. Academic Seminars will be organised to keep participants abreast of child physical fitness developments in Hong Kong.
7. Coaches will be trained to ensure a continuous supply of coaching professionals to the programme

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.