Corporate News

Jockey Club and Manchester United announce new collaboration as Community Football Partners

06/22/2016

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (22 June) announced that it is extending its partnership with Manchester United (MU) for a further four years. Under this arrangement, the Club and MU will become Community Football Partners, offering youth development programmes at elite, school and community level. The Club’s collaboration with MU dates back to 2012.

A new initiative will see the Club work with the Manchester United Academy to offer thematic workshops for local coaches and for parents whose children play sports, the aim being to use football to strengthen family bonds. Another new initiative is the JC Youth Football Academy Summit, which will see the Academy team from MU visit Hong Kong for a week to train and play friendly matches with local youth teams, offering a unique exchange opportunity for Hong Kong and UK youngsters. The first summit will take place in the summer of 2017.

In addition, two existing programmes - the JC School Football Development Scheme and the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme - will continue, with the total number of participating schools expected to exceed 100 and another 4,800 students benefiting.

The new partnership will see a closer working relationship between the Club, MU and the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) in applying the expertise and experience of MU to support the development of teenage players and their parents.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said, that in supporting these programmes the Club’s aim is to further develop Hong Kong football and introduce international best practice training methods. Most of all, the Club sees the potential of football to help young people develop physically, mentally and socially. In short, football can be a gateway to help young people achieve their full potential.

Speaking at today’s press conference, MU Group Managing Director Richard Arnold said that the commitment of both organisations to youth development has helped cement the collaboration, “The success achieved during the course of this partnership has been humbling and it’s an honour for us to continue our great work together for another four years.”

Also joining today’s press conference were MU Managing Director in Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle, MU footballing legend Ronny Johnsen and the HKFA Chairman Brian Leung.

The Club is a long-time supporter of local football development. Since 2012 it has collaborated with Manchester United on a number of programmes designed to develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of young people, which include the JC Elite Youth Football Camp, the JC School Football Development Scheme, the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme and 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 a 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 as a home for Hong Kong’s major domestic and international football 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 2014/15, its donations reached a record $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.

The Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says that in joining together as Community Football Partners the Club and Manchester United aim to strengthen their commitment to young people and society through football.
The Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says that in joining together as Community Football Partners the Club and Manchester United aim to strengthen their commitment to young people and society through football.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) and MU Group Managing Director Richard Arnold (right) autograph memorabilia to symbolise the extension of the partnership.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) and MU Group Managing Director Richard Arnold (right) autograph memorabilia to symbolise the extension of the partnership.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Communications and Membership Scarlette Leung (right), MU Managing Director, Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle (left) and HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (centre) invite the public to support and attend the JC Youth Football Academy Summit games.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Communications and Membership Scarlette Leung (right), MU Managing Director, Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle (left) and HKFA Chairman Brian Leung (centre) invite the public to support and attend the JC Youth Football Academy Summit games.

MU Group Managing Director Richard Arnold shares his views on the enhanced partnership with the Club.
MU Group Managing Director Richard Arnold shares his views on the enhanced partnership with the Club.

HKFA Chairman Brian Leung says that collaboration between the Club and MU has benefited the development of Hong Kong football.
HKFA Chairman Brian Leung says that collaboration between the Club and MU has benefited the development of Hong Kong football.

MU football legend Ronny Johnsen shares his views on youth development through football.
MU football legend Ronny Johnsen shares his views on youth development through football.

Photo 7, 8: Group photo
Photo 7, 8: Group photo


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