Corporate News

Outstanding graduates from second JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme rewarded with England trip

07/11/2015

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (July 11) celebrated the successful completion of its second Youth Football Leadership Scheme and announced the six most outstanding young leaders. The six will travel to England, where they will join community activities organised by internationally-renowned football club Manchester United and see the team in action. 

The Youth Football Leadership Scheme, initiated and sponsored by the Club, and organised in collaboration with Manchester United and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), involves close to 40 young people aged between 15 and 19 and coming from all districts. Combining lessons in football coaching, life-skills workshops hosted by renowned mentors and community service programmes, the Scheme aims to nurture the physical, mental and social skills of young people with a view to developing their potential as future community leaders.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges congratulated the participants on their successful completion of the Scheme. He explained how, since its launch in 2014, the Scheme has helped develop the leadership qualities of the younger generation through the power of sport. He believed that everyone was endowed with the ability to succeed at a high level in sport or community life if they could be given the right opportunities to discover their talents and pursue their dreams. 

Football coaching lessons were provided by the Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O’Brien, while renowned mentors, Olympic gold medalist Lee Lai-shan, media presenter and performer Lawrence Cheng Dan-shui and former Hong Kong Olympic swimmer Alex Fong Lik-sun led the personality and fitness workshops.

The six participants, who were selected on the basis of their outstanding levels of attitude and performance, will travel to Manchester next month where they will participate in community services and exchange activities for a week. These will include community football matches as well as the chance to see Manchester United in training and also playing in a top-flight match.

Albert Su Yau-on, Chief Executive of TWGHs, co-organiser of the Scheme, also attended the ceremony while the Club invited World Women’s Snooker Champion Ng On-yee and the top graduate from the first HKJC Elite Football Camp Chan Pak-hei to share their experiences.

In a related announcement, the Club introduced the four winners of the HKJC Community Festival Skill Challenge and the two outstanding school coaches from the JC School Football Development Scheme. These individuals will also be going to England for training and exchange together with the six outstanding young leaders.

In the past three years, the Club has been collaborating with Manchester United to help talented young local players achieve their potential and raise the overall standard of local football training under the guidance of sports science experts as well as coaches from Manchester United Soccer School. The Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme is one of a series of projects the Club has initiated in collaboration with Manchester United. The others include The Jockey Club Elite Football Camp, The Jockey Club Youth Football Fitness Assessment and The Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme.

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 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. 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 24,800 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. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.

Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges congratulates young leaders on their successful completion of the Youth Football Leadership Scheme.
Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges congratulates young leaders on their successful completion of the Youth Football Leadership Scheme.

Chief Executive of TWGHs Albert Su Yau-on expresses his gratitude to the Club for its funding support and commitment to youth services in the city.
Chief Executive of TWGHs Albert Su Yau-on expresses his gratitude to the Club for its funding support and commitment to youth services in the city.

Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd left), Chief Executive of TWGHs Albert Su Yau-on (5th right), Manchester United Managing Director, Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle (1st right) and the Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher Oa£á?Brien (1st left) presents passports and certificates to the six most outstanding young leaders, who will go to Manchester next month to join local community programmes run by Manchester United Football Club.
Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd left), Chief Executive of TWGHs Albert Su Yau-on (5th right), Manchester United Managing Director, Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle (1st right) and the Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher Oa£á?Brien (1st left) presents passports and certificates to the six most outstanding young leaders, who will go to Manchester next month to join local community programmes run by Manchester United Football Club.

Photos 4, 5<br>Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st right) and the Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher Oa£á?Brien (1st left) present passports to the four winners of the HKJC Community Festival Skill Challenge (photo 4) and two outstanding school coaches from the JC School Football Development Scheme (photo 5), who will also be going to England for training and exchange.
Photos 4, 5
Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st right) and the Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher Oa£á?Brien (1st left) present passports to the four winners of the HKJC Community Festival Skill Challenge (photo 4) and two outstanding school coaches from the JC School Football Development Scheme (photo 5), who will also be going to England for training and exchange.


Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd left) congratulates the young leaders.
Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd left) congratulates the young leaders.

Photos 7, 8<br>Group Photo
Photos 7, 8
Group Photo


Other Corporate News