Club supports HKJC Community Cup again to support local football and the community

09/21/2017

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup 2017 will kick off this Saturday (23 September) at Mong Kok Stadium. This is the fourth year that the Club has sponsored this unique event that combines football with community engagement. This year’s Community Cup features a much anticipated contest between Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions as well as a pre-match exhibition game of mixed teams comprising top jockeys and local football legends. In addition, two top girls teams have been invited to showcase their skills and talent in the first-ever HKJC Girls’ Junior Community Cup.

The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA), the event organiser, revealed details of the event at a press conference today (21 September). At the press conference, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “The Jockey Club is a strong supporter of football – especially of the social, physical and mental benefits it brings our young people.”

Just over a month ago, in collaboration with Manchester United and the HKFA, the Club organised the JC Youth Football Academy Summit giving some of Hong Kong’s young players the chance to train with and play friendly games against Manchester United’s Under 16 Academy team in Hong Kong. The games have demonstrated the power of football to build bridges across cultures and within communities. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges added that the Community Cup served exactly the same purpose – uniting the community through football for the benefit of all.

With regard to the HKJC Girls’ Junior Community Cup, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “Women’s football is really taking off in Hong Kong and I hope this game will not only recognise the talent that Hong Kong is now developing but encourage more young women to take part.”

Mr Brian Leung, Chairman of The Hong Kong Football Association, said, “The HKFA is extremely grateful to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its continued generous support for Hong Kong football. Over the last few years the Community Cup has gained traction as one of the highlights of the football calendar. This year we will be showcasing girls football with an U18 Community Cup and there will be a repeat of an exhibition match participated by ‘novelty’ Legends and Jockeys, which was proved very popular and entertaining last year.”

Competing in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Cup 2017 are Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions, this year’s Hong Kong Premier League champions and this season’s play-off champions, respectively. Meanwhile, the HKJC Girls’ Junior Community Cup will see the champion team of the Jockey Club Girls’ League, Chelsea FC Soccer School (Hong Kong), take on Citizen, the runner-up of the Jockey Club Girls’ League (FA Cup).

Champion Jockey Joao Moreira and renowned football commentator Peter Wong will again compete against each other in a pre-match exhibition game leading two mixed teams formed by jockeys and local football legends.

As in the past three years, the Community Cup benefits not only football but the community as a whole. In addition to a total of HK$350,000 in prize money awarded to the two teams, all of the other eight teams of the Hong Kong Premier League will receive a share of the HK$300,000. A portion of the sponsorship and part of the net proceeds from the match will be donatedto charities, namely United Christian Hospital and Pok Oi Hospital, nominated by Kitchee and the Eastern Long Lions, respectively. The Club will once again invite students and less-privileged people to enjoy the three games.

Jockeys and local football legends taking part in the exhibition game are:  

The Club has been a long-time supporter of local football development. In particular, it has collaborated with Manchester United since 2012 on a number of programmes designed to develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of young people.  These include the JC Elite Youth Football Camp, the JC School Football Development Scheme, the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme, the JC Youth Football Fitness Assessment, the JC Youth Soccer Skills Challenge and the JC Youth Football Academy Summit.

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 HK$120 million donation to support the Jockey Club HKFA 5-Year Football Development Programme, which is aimed at promoting 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 racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2016/17, the Club’s total direct return to the community was HK$30.5 billion. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.