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Jockey Club promotes innovative sports in the community

02/18/2017

Playing innovative sports will not only energise the community, but also contribute to local sports development. As a means to promote new sports in the community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has made a donation of some HK$35 million to the Hong Kong Playground Association to implement a three-year Jockey Club Innovative and Adventurous Sports for All Programme and Jockey Club Innovative and Adventurous Sports for Islands Programme. In addition, the Association’s Tung Chung Outdoor Recreation Camp will be renovated into the city’s first sports-themed camp.

Today (18 February), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung joined Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung, the Hong Kong Playground Association’s President Victor Hui and Chairman Dr Lam Hoi-ham, and Ambassadors Stephanie Au and Angel Wong to launch the programmes.

Mr Cheung observed that the Club shared the same values as the Hong Kong Playground Association and had been working closely since the 1940s to promote sports-related projects. “Through developing the concept of ‘Sports and Innovation’ to promote sports for all, we would like to use innovation in sports to motivate individuals at all levels to take part," he said. "By injecting various new elements, our intention is to arouse interest in taking up physical activities, so as to make exercise become a regular habit.”

The Jockey Club Innovative and Adventurous Sports for All Programme is being implemented in 17 of the city’s districts and the Jockey Club Innovative and Adventurous Sports for Islands Programme in Islands District. In the first year, the four new sports to be introduced are Frisbee, Rouliqiu, Light Volleyball and Floor Curling, all of which are easy to learn. People of all ages are encouraged to take the first step and experience the fun of these sports. 

Key elements of the Jockey Club Innovative and Adventurous Sports for All Programme are:

  1. School-based sports experience - Students will be provided with new experiences and help given to primary and secondary schools to develop new sports. Experience classes, competitions and game booths will also be organised, complemented by a mobile truck equipped with augmented reality (AR) somato-sensory games.
  2. Sporty Game Days - Small-scale experience classes, talks and sports demonstrations will be held at weekends to introduce the new sports to the public.
  3. District Sports Classes - Free sports classes for children and adults will be organised in each district. Instructor training will also be provided to support new sports development. 
  4. Mini Games - This annual key event will enhance public participation and interaction.

The Jockey Club Innovative and Adventurous Sports for Islands Programme is specifically targeted at residents of Islands District. Key elements include:

  1. School-based day camp - Camp programmes for secondary and primary schools in Tung Chung and other parts of Islands District, comprising experience classes and talks.
  2. Sports Fun Day - A series of sports demonstrations and mini-games to be held at Tung Chung Outdoor Recreation Camp or in the community. 
  3. Eco-tours - Led by professional instructors, these will help participants enjoy the fun of hiking and enhance their understanding of ecological attractions.
  4. Sports classes for target groups - Designed for ethnic minorities and students with special education needs, these classes will help participants develop team spirit and positive values through training. 

 

It is expected that the two programmes will cover over 130 schools and attract a total attendance of some 350,000 over the next three years.

In addition, the Trust has granted the Association funding to upgrade its Tung Chung Outdoor Recreation Camp with enhanced facilities including a multi-purpose activity room, dormitory and new sports ground, making it the activities base for the implementation of the “Sports for Islands” programme.

The Club has long been committed to helping Hong Kong strengthen its sporting infrastructure, as well as promoting a sporting culture in the city and assisting the professional development of Hong Kong athletes. In the past decade alone, the Club has contributed over HK$1.9 billion to sports development. With the vision that ‘All Hong Kong people should Love, Value and Play Sports’, the Club has earmarked approximately HK$155 million to support the five Sports for All programmes, which are expected to benefit over 240,000 people.

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 Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung says the Club will actively promote sports through innovation to motivate individuals at all levels to take part.
The Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung says the Club will actively promote sports through innovation to motivate individuals at all levels to take part.

A launch ceremony for the mobile truck a£á?iSports Expressa£á? by the Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (3rd left); Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung (3rd right); Hong Kong Playground Associationa£á?s President Victor Hui (2nd right) and Chairman Dr Lam Hoi-ham (2nd left) and other guests.
A launch ceremony for the mobile truck a£á?iSports Expressa£á? by the Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (3rd left); Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung (3rd right); Hong Kong Playground Associationa£á?s President Victor Hui (2nd right) and Chairman Dr Lam Hoi-ham (2nd left) and other guests.

The Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (left) receives a souvenir from Hong Kong Playground Associationa£á?s President Victor Hui (right).
The Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (left) receives a souvenir from Hong Kong Playground Associationa£á?s President Victor Hui (right).

The Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (3rd left), Ambassadors Stephanie Au (2nd left) and Angel Wong (3rd right) and other athletes.
The Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (3rd left), Ambassadors Stephanie Au (2nd left) and Angel Wong (3rd right) and other athletes.

Ambassadors Stephanie Au (2nd left), Angel Wong (1st right) and other athletes demonstrate how to play Frisbee.
Ambassadors Stephanie Au (2nd left), Angel Wong (1st right) and other athletes demonstrate how to play Frisbee.

6, 7, 8<br>Participants experience the fun of new sports.
6, 7, 8
Participants experience the fun of new sports.



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