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Jockey Club launches 2016-17 youth football development programme Helping to develop the all-round capabilities of Hong Konga£į? young people

11/24/2016

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (24 November) launched this year’s Best Foot Forward scheme, a series of Club-initiated youth football development programmes which use football as means to develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of Hong Kong’s young people. The programmes have been developed in collaboration with Manchester United, the Hong Kong Football Association and other community partners.

A highlight this year is the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, which provides advanced football coaching to school teachers and coaches. In addition to 14 primary and secondary schools, it will be extended to include students from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. Students studying sports coaching at the IVE Chai Wan will be the first batch of students to join the programme, benefiting from Manchester United’s world-class football training to develop their all-round capabilities.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “Over the past few years, the Jockey Club has pioneered the use of football as a way to develop the all-round capabilities of our young people. A team sport like football helps young people develop themselves not only physically but also mentally and socially - building strength of character and developing skills of leadership and teamwork.” He added, “I am sure that this year’s youth football programmes will once again offer an unforgettable experience for our young people. In the words of the Club’s slogan, we look to riding high together for a better future with you, as you seize this chance to put your best foot forward. ”

The Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme provides advanced football coaching to school teachers and coaches. Over the past three years, the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme has helped enhance the training standards of 80 football coaches and benefited 800 students in 42 schools. Eight outstanding school coaches have received accreditation as Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) coaches, who are now eligible to coach for MUSS in programmes around the world.

To further strengthen local youth football training, the first in a series of workshops for professional youth coaches was completed this morning. The seminar for about 60 local coaches was conducted by Les Parry, Academy Player Development Manager 9-16 of Manchester United who will also be visiting partner schools.
The launch was attended by Rex Tso, Hong Kong’s champion boxer with no less than 20 straight wins to his credit. Tso, whose positive attitude and commitment to success is a role model for all young people, will serve as a mentor for this year’s programmes.

Apart from the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, the Best Foot Forward programmes include the Jockey Club Football Leadership Scheme which will see a new phase  being launched early next year,  and the Youth Football Academy Summit, a new event which will take place in August next year and will include visits by a Manchester United Academy team.

The Club is a long-time supporter of local football development. Since 2012 it has been collaborating with Manchester United on several programmes designed to develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of young people. 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. 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

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong's largest single tax payer and one of the world's largest charity donors. 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 Hong Kong Jockey Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges speaks at todaya£į?s press conference.
The Hong Kong Jockey Cluba£į?s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges speaks at todaya£į?s press conference.

Rex Tso (left), one of the mentors of this year's Hong Kong Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme, passes an autographed pair of his boxing gloves to Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. The gloves will be presented to the best performing participant at the end of the programme.
Rex Tso (left), one of the mentors of this year's Hong Kong Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme, passes an autographed pair of his boxing gloves to Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. The gloves will be presented to the best performing participant at the end of the programme.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right) presents a Best Foot Forward jacket to Rex Tso.
Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right) presents a Best Foot Forward jacket to Rex Tso.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right) and Manchester United Academy Player Development Manager Les Parry sign a football with the Cluba£į?s and Manchester Uniteda£į?s logos.
Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right) and Manchester United Academy Player Development Manager Les Parry sign a football with the Cluba£į?s and Manchester Uniteda£į?s logos.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (third row, 7th right), Head Coach of MUSS in Hong Kong Christopher Oa£į?Brien (third row, 5th right), Manchester United Academy Player Development Manager Les Parry (second row, 2nd right), Rex Tso (second row, 1st right) and participating school representatives take a group photo.
Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (third row, 7th right), Head Coach of MUSS in Hong Kong Christopher Oa£į?Brien (third row, 5th right), Manchester United Academy Player Development Manager Les Parry (second row, 2nd right), Rex Tso (second row, 1st right) and participating school representatives take a group photo.

Academy Player Development Manager of Manchester United Les Parry hosting a workshop for young coaches.
Academy Player Development Manager of Manchester United Les Parry hosting a workshop for young coaches.

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