More than forty participants of the Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme 2019 broke out of their comfort zone to participate in a self-selected challenge of either track cycling or rope skipping for the “My Self Challenge Day” today (5 May 2019) at the Hong Kong Velodrome.

Supported by the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China, “My Self Challenge” is a new component of the Scheme that requires the participants to learn to face challenges in an unfamiliar environment. Appearing at today’s event were Hong Kong’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist in windsurfing and former star mentor Lee Lai-san, former track cycling world champion Wong Kam-po and the Hong Kong Head Coach of the Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O’Brien, who came to support, share leadership tips and provide encouragement to the participants.

Speaking at the event was the Club Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Branding and Membership Scarlette Leung. "The Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme was first introduced by the Club in 2014 as we believe in the abilities of every young person. By providing the necessary skills and opportunities needed to reach their potential, we can empower them to become young leaders and to give back to society," said Leung. She told the participants not to worry about winning or losing. "You are not a loser if you have tried your best. The purpose of the My Self Challenge is to give you experience in confronting challenges, overcoming fears and accepting failure." She also thanked the social workers, the Cycling Association of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association for their contributions in making the Scheme a success.

The Youth Football Leadership Scheme, organised by the Club in collaboration with Manchester United and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), recruited over 40 young people aged between 15 and 19 from all districts of Hong Kong. The six-month programme, which comprises a basic football coaching course, a thematic workshop conducted by a professional instructor, “My Self Challenge” and community services, is aimed at nurturing the physical, mental and social skills of young people and to help develop their leadership potential.

Apart from attending the “My Self Challenge” day, participants had opportunities to apply their leadership skills in organising community and football projects, such as for the Club’s community event Riding High Together Festival, district football fun days and a football carnival for children and families. All of the graduates will participate in a three-day exchange tour to Guangzhou. Over 200 young people have graduated from the scheme since its launch in 2014.

Through these activities, six of the best performers will be nominated for a trip to Manchester in late August after assessing their efforts and attitudes.

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 charity 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 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is also 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.