Sports Commissioner Yeung Tak-keung and Manchester United legend Denis Irwin cheer on participants in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme

03/21/2016

Today (21 March) the newly-appointed Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung and Manchester United legend Denis Irwin visited schools taking part in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, where they played mini football games with coaches and students and offered words of encouragement to participants.

This year the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme has continued its collaboration with Manchester United, bringing top-class football coaching to local schools.  The project trains up outstanding football coaches, thereby helping to raise the standard of football in local schools. Through the discipline of football training it also helps develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of Hong Kong’s young people.

Denis Irwin joined Manchester United in 1990, where he was well known for his free and penalty kicks.  He later became team captain.  He left the team in 2002, and is currently a presenter on MU’s official website. Today, Irwin paid visits to the Salvation Army William Booth Secondary School and Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kowloon).  Talking to students and staff, he described football as the best language - through football we can learn teamwork and improve interpersonal skills.  Football is also the best tool to overcome language barriers and other obstacles to communication, he said. He encouraged coaches and students to keep playing football and to always put their best foot forward.

Yeung, who joined the visit to the Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kowloon), said that sport is about much more than winning - it is also the perfect platform for personal growth. Moreover, said Mr Yeung, bringing MU legends such as Irwin to local schools can really help promote sports in the community and encourage more young people to participate.

Irwin is one of several Manchester United legends who have visited secondary schools participating in the Club’s football development scheme over the years. These include “Captain Marvel” Bryan Robson in 2015, Phil Nevill in 2014, and goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel in 2013.

The Club is an ardent supporter of football development in Hong Kong. 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. Last year, the Club announced an approximately 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 Jockey Club Kitchee Centre and the rebuilding of Hong Kong Stadium.

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 HK$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.