Visiting Manchester United (MU) football legend Jesper Blomqvist attended a workshop at Happy Valley Racecourse today (7 April) to show support for the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme. In addition to sharing his thoughts and experience regarding the importance of school coaches in the development of young players at the workshop, he joined a football practice session with workshop participants. 

Blomqvist was on the bronze-medal-winning Swedish national team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and was part of the MU team that won the famous Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup winning treble in 1999.

Now in its 5th year, the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme is organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club in collaboration with Manchester United Football Club. The Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) in Hong Kong Christopher O’Brien offers coach training based on the same principles used by the Manchester United Academy. The Scheme aims to encourage students to express themselves and strive for personal excellence and ultimately become the better next generation with confidence and positive mentality. 75 schools have joined the Scheme since it started and over 250 teachers and football coaches have been trained over the past five years.

Since the Scheme was launched, several other MU legends have visited local schools participating in the Scheme, including “Captain Marvel” Bryan Robson and goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel.　

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 and the JC Youth Soccer Skills 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 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.