In its latest initiative to promote football development in the city, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated some HK$120 million to the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) to launch the Jockey Club HKFA 5-Year Football Development Programme. This first-ever holistic programme encompasses a wide range of systematic training opportunities, competitions and tournaments targeted at young people in the belief that football can instil positive values in youths.
Today (24 August), the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was joined by Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Jonathan McKinley, HKFA Chairman Brian Leung and Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe at the press conference.
The Trust’s investment in the programme was the largest ever donation in support of football development in Hong Kong, and it would enable the HKFA to implement its biggest and most comprehensive football development programme. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the Club’s commitment to football and youth development has been realised in a series of programmes tailored for young people of different backgrounds and needs.
“As a team sport football teaches valuable lessons about cooperation and working for the benefit of others. Individually, football builds strength of character, leadership skills, and promotes positive values, especially amongst our young people. We believe football has a great future in Hong Kong,” he said.
HKFA Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe said, “I would like to thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for recognising the importance that football plays in developing individuals and society as a whole. Their most generous donation will be put to good use in growing participation and raising the standard of football development. We look forward to a long positive and productive partnership”.
Through promoting ‘Sports for Hope’, one of the Trust’s three areas of strategic focus over the next few years, the Club would like to use sports to create lifelong positive values and hope in Hong Kong society.
The key elements of the programme are:
- Grassroots Football: to introduce children aged 4 to 12 to basic football techniques through Jockey Club Primary Athletes Training Scheme.
- Youth Development: it aims to teach participants of different age groups football skills and tactics gradually, apart from the existing summer scheme and district training programme, it will provide competition opportunities by setting upleagues and invitational tournaments.
- Women’s Football: to identify potential female footballers through Jockey Club Women’s Youth Football Training Scheme and provide players with regular competition opportunities through the establishments of women’s leagues.
- Futsal: to promote participation in schools, futsal leagueswill be established to organise regular competitions.
- Sports Science Support: to systematically assess and monitor the performances of Hong Kong players.
- Refereeing: to train talented young referees.
- Coaching: to appoint experienced coaches and improve the skills level of local coaches.
The football development programme helps promote participants’ personal growth while aiming to bring positive impacts to the society as a whole. It is expected to benefit over 26,000 young footballers annually over the next five years.
The Club has long been committed to football development in Hong Kong, contributing some HK$366 million over the last decade. Apart from funding the construction of infrastructure such as the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre in Sha Tin and the redevelopment of the South China Athletic Association grandstand and football pitch, it has also partnered Manchester United to launch a series of innovative youth football projects and supported the Hong Kong Games and its futsal games.
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.
Attachment:
Attachment 1: Fact Sheet of the Jockey Club HKFA 5-Year Football Development Programme
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The Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says the Trusta£į?s investment in the programme is the largest ever donation in support of football development in Hong Kong, and it will enable the HKFA to implement its biggest and most comprehensive football development programme.
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The Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (5th right) joins Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Jonathan McKinley (4th right), HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (6th left) and Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe (5th left) to announce the Jockey Club HKFA 5-Year Football Development Programme.
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Photos 3, 4
Group photo.
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Young footballers share their passion for the sport.
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