Six outstanding young leaders from the fifth JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme will travel to England to undergo youth volunteer training and join community activities organised by the Manchester United Foundation. The announcement was made at the graduation ceremony today (2 June). The six were selected on the basis of their outstanding attitude and performance.

“Star mentor”, award-winning film director Herman Yau held the last leadership workshop prior to the graduation ceremony, where he shared his practical experience applying leadership skills in filmmaking. Yau later went on to present Manchester United Legends autographed jerseys and footballs to the three winners of “Best Improvement Award”.

Other renowned mentors of the Scheme this year include renowned disc jockey and television celebrity Sammy Leung Chi-kin, Hong Kong high jump athlete and women’s record holder Cecilia Yeung Man-wai, and the first Hong Kong woman to have conquered Mount Everest Ada Tsang Yin-hung. They led personality and leadership workshops, and a leadership training camp in Cheung Chau. The elementary football coaching course was conducted by Hong Kong Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer Schools Christopher O’Brien.

Two outstanding school teachers from the Club’s School Football Development Scheme were also awarded a trip to England with the six outstanding young leaders.

The Youth Football Leadership Scheme, organised by the Club in collaboration with Manchester United and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), has recruited 45 young people aged between 15 and 19 from all districts of Hong Kong. The six-month programme, which combines an elementary football coaching course, life-skills workshops and community services, aims at helping young people develop their full potential for leadership.

Participants had opportunities to apply their leadership skills in organising community and football projects, such as Hong Kong Jockey Club’s annual flagship community event Riding High Together Festival, district football fun days and a football carnival for children and families. All of the graduates will be given a three-day exchange tour to Guangzhou. Over 200 young people have graduated from the scheme since its launch in 2014.

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.