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Star mentors of Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme 2017 deliver training workshop to local young talent

04/01/2017

The Hong Kong Jockey Club held a leadership training workshop today (1 April 2017) at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, as part of the Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme 2017.

Leading the workshop were star mentors for this year, including world-class boxer Rex Tso, Head Coach of the Eastern Long Lions Chan Yuen-ting, multi Paralympic gold medallist Yu Chui-yee, multi-media producer and presenter Ng Ka-him and Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O'Brien.

The scheme nurtures the physical, mental and social skills of young people to develop their full potential for leadership with the help of the star mentors and a team of social workers from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs).

Speaking at the workshop was the Club's Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Communications and Membership Scarlette Leung, who thanked all the mentors and social workers for their contributions to make the scheme a success. "The Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme is more than a football interest group. It is a platform created by the Club for young talent to 'put their best foot forward'," she said.  "We believe in the ability of every young person. If the potential of young people can be fully developed, they will become confident, different and motivated. We hope to develop the potential of young people and empower them to give back to society."

Mentor Yu Chui-yee coached the group to overcome difficulties and challenges with their minds, and used wheelchair fencing as a practice session. Another star mentor, Ng Ka-him, delivered a workshop to help participants improve their interpersonal skills and build rapport with others.  Participants also attended a sports psychology talk, followed by a tour of the institute's world-class sports science lab and fitness gym. Christopher O'Brien then conducted an on-site football coaching session.

Prior to today's workshop, participants also attended a team spirit building workshop conducted by Chan Yuen-ting on 26 March.

Earlier this year, 44 young people aged between 15 and 19, were drawn from all districts of Hong Kong, to join the five-month programme running from March to August.

In addition to today's workshop, participants will attend a leadership training camp in late April, and will have an opportunity to apply their leadership skills in organising community and football projects, such as a football fun day and a football carnival for children and families in May.

Through these activities, six outstanding participants will be awarded with a summer trip to Manchester in England where they will take part in local community programmes and visit the training base of Manchester United. 

The Club is a long-time supporter of local football development. Since 2012 it has been collaborating 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, JC Youth Football Fitness Assessment and Youth Football Skill Challenge. The Club also supports the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Scheme, whose summer scheme is the largest such programme in Hong Kong. In 2015, the Club announced a donation of approximately HK$120 million 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

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.

Speaking at the workshop today, Club Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Communications and Membership Scarlette Leung said the Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme serves as a platform for young talent to develop their full potential.
Speaking at the workshop today, Club Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Communications and Membership Scarlette Leung said the Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme serves as a platform for young talent to develop their full potential.

Chief Executive of TWGHs Albert Su Yau-on explained that the programme nurtures young people to help develop their full potential to become future community leaders.
Chief Executive of TWGHs Albert Su Yau-on explained that the programme nurtures young people to help develop their full potential to become future community leaders.

Group photo
Group photo

Rex Tso (1st left) and Chan Yuen-ting (1st right) participate in a wheelchair friendly game.
Rex Tso (1st left) and Chan Yuen-ting (1st right) participate in a wheelchair friendly game.

Yu Chui-yee (middle) coaches the class to deal with difficulties and challenges through wheelchair fencing.
Yu Chui-yee (middle) coaches the class to deal with difficulties and challenges through wheelchair fencing.

Ng Ka-him delivers social and communication skills training to the participants.
Ng Ka-him delivers social and communication skills training to the participants.

Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O'Brien conducts (right) on-site football coaching session.
Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O'Brien conducts (right) on-site football coaching session.

Prior to today's workshop, ChanYuen-ting (middle) conducted a team spirit building workshop on 26 March.
Prior to today's workshop, ChanYuen-ting (middle) conducted a team spirit building workshop on 26 March.

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