Six outstanding JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme graduates rewarded with England trip

07/13/2014

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (July 13) celebrated the successful completion of its Youth Football Leadership Scheme, the Club’s latest initiative to support sports and youth development.

Launched in April this year, the three-month Scheme has successfully nurtured and inspired close to 50 participating young people, preparing them to be future leaders of the community. The six most outstanding young leaders will be rewarded with a trip to England, where they will join the internationally-renowned Manchester United Football Club’s community activities and see the team in action.    

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges congratulated the participants on their successful completion of the programme. Noting that the Scheme was among the many Jockey Club efforts to strengthen youth football training in Hong Kong, he said “we aim not only to help raise the standards of local football in the long term, but also to advance the physical, social and mental development of our young generation and help nurture future leaders who are enthusiastic about community engagement”.

Fifth Vice-Chairman of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Sunny Tan, co-organiser of the Scheme, and Manchester United legend Ronny Johnsen, a member of the team that achieved the United’s famous Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup winning treble in 1999, also attended the ceremony to show recognition to the youth leaders.

The Club-sponsored Scheme, held in collaboration with Manchester United and TWGHs, involved close to 50 young people aged between 16 and 19 whose organisational and leadership skills were enhanced through football coach training, personality workshops, community service and visit programmes.

The elementary coaching course was provided by the Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O’Brien, while renowned local mentors, Olympic gold medallist Lee Lai-shan and media presenter and performer Lawrence Cheng Dan-shui led the personality workshops to share their life experiences, encouraging the young leaders to set clear targets for themselves and work hard to make their dreams come true.

The six participants selected for their outstanding levels of attitude and performance will travel to Manchester next month where they will participate in United’s football-related community activities, as well as witness the team in action during training and in a top-flight match. They said today they were really looking forward to the England trip and bringing back the service experience to Hong Kong so as to benefit the Hong Kong community.
The Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme is among a series of projects the Club initiated and conducted in collaboration with Manchester United.  They include The Jockey Club Elite Football Camp, The Jockey Club Youth Football Fitness Assessment and The Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, which aim to help talented young local players achieve their potential and raise the local football training standards under the guidance of sports science experts and coaches from Manchester United Soccer School.

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.