The South China Athletic Association (SCAA) facilities will undergo major redevelopment with funding of some HK$126 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson announced today (25 Oct) at a press conference. Located on Caroline Hill Road in Causeway Bay, the SCAA will be extensively upgraded to provide sports facilities that will benefit tens of thousands of the public as well as club members upon its completion in 2014.
Mr Stevenson described today's announcement as an important milestone not only for one of the city’s oldest and largest athletic clubs, but also for sports development in Hong Kong. SCAA had been providing sports training at affordable prices to the public for over a century, he noted, saying it had been the starting point and the centre of excellence for many of Hong Kong’s elite sports personalities over the years.
“However, many of these facilities were built almost 60 years ago. This is why the Jockey Club is delighted to make a donation for SCAA to redevelop these facilities, and help ease the shortage of pitches and sports facilities in the community,” he explained
SCAA Chairman Wong Chun Nam expressed his gratitude to the Club's Charities Trust for financing the re-development of the association. “The Jockey Club’s generous donation has set a milestone in our mission to promote sport for the well-being of the public,” he added.
New or improved facilities will include a third-generation artificial turf pitch with a covered spectator stand; an enhanced golf driving range, the only public range on Hong Kong Island; an indoor multi-purpose sports hall; and Hong Kong’s first indoor beach volleyball court.
Once completed, SCAA will be able to offer a one-stop solution for sports training while helping relieve the huge local demand for pitches and indoor facilities at affordable costs. Most importantly, the new facilities will encourage public participation in sport, since usage during non-peak hours will be free of charge. It is estimated that approximately 260,000 people will benefit from using the new facilities each year.
"The Jockey Club and I are great believers in sport and consider it can contribute so much towards a healthier and more cohesive society," Mr Stevenson told the guests. "Sport is a powerful way of promoting positive values such as teamwork and fair play, which improve our quality of life and contribute to the well-being of society as a whole."
The Jockey Club has been a staunch supporter of local sports development over many decades, funding such infrastructure projects as the Hong Kong Stadium, the Hong Kong Sports Institute, public riding schools, and The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course. It also supported numerous sports training programmes as well as the 3rd Hong Kong Games and 2009 East Asian Games, in addition to its significant support for the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games.
Most recently, the Club has donated over HK$67 million to support local football development, including a three-year youth football development programme across 18 districts in the city; an elite training camp with Manchester United; and construction of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre. In the past 10 years alone, the Club’s Charities Trust has donated close to HK$1.7 billion to sporting and recreational projects.
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 a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year 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, with more than 23,000 members. 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.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson says the SCAA redevelopment project is an important milestone not only for one of the citya£į?s oldest and largest athletic clubs, but also for sports development in Hong Kong.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (centre), SCAA Chairman Wong Chun Nam (left) and the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (right) perform the gimmick at the SCAA redevelopment press conference.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (back row, centre), SCAA Chairman Wong Chun Nam (back row, 4th left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (back row, 1st right) pictured with SCAA CWB Rugby Team David Knights (back row, 1st left), Timothy Haywood (back row, 2nd right) and other team members.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (centre), SCAA Chairman Wong Chun Nam (1st right), Vice-Chairman Victor Hui (2nd left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd right) and SCAA CWB Rugby Team David Knights (1st left).
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (2nd left), SCAA Chairman Wong Chun Nam (1st right), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left) and Hong Kong Football Association Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe (2nd right).
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (left) and Honorary Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Pang Chung (right).
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson with the athletes.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson with the athletes.
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