The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club), in collaboration with the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Football Association, arranged for the U15 National Selection Team to take part in a three-week training camp in the UK, where the young players received coaching from Manchester United.

The football training camp took place from 19 March to 10 April with the aim of enhancing the technical skills and widening the horizons of young Mainland players through high-quality coaching and exchanges. The initiative also supports the continuous development of football in the Mainland and nurtures a new generation of football talent. As a world-class sports organisation, the Club leverages its extensive global reach and connectivity to promote international exchange and cooperation, while supporting the nation in its goal of becoming a leading sporting power.

During their time in the UK, the young players engaged in a professional training programme devised by Manchester United. To hone their competitiveness and assess training outcomes, they also participated in four friendly matches against youth teams of English clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds United and Stockport County Football Club, with assistance from Manchester United and the English Premier League.

As spectators, they attended football matches including the Premier League’s Manchester derby and the FA Youth Cup semi-final, where Manchester United squared off against Aston Villa, experiencing the passion and excitement of British football culture. The camp also incorporated activities aimed at broadening the youngsters’ cultural horizons, with visits to Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium and museum, headquarters of the English Premier League, the National Football Museum and the British Museum.

Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester, Tang Rui, hosted a welcome reception for the U15 National Selection Team and cheered them on during their matches against youth teams of Manchester United and Stockport County Football Club. He encouraged them to contribute to the rise of Chinese football and the country’s goal of becoming a sporting power by 2035.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said that as the country actively fosters football talent, the Club - a world-class sports organisation in Hong Kong - fully supports this football training camp programme. Looking ahead, the Club will continue to strengthen collaborations with Manchester United. Under the guidance of the General Administration of Sport of China, it will also provide more opportunities for promising players from the Mainland to engage with world-class youth training systems.

The Club has been the Official Community Football Partner of Manchester United in Hong Kong since 2012, launching programmes in support of youth football development at the elite, school and community levels. In 2024, the Club once again leveraged its unique international connectivity to strengthen cooperation with Manchester United, organising two football training camps annually. Under the guidance of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Club supports Mainland football teams to participate in training at Manchester United and observe world-class matches. The initiative enhances athletic performance, promotes international exchanges and injects strong momentum into the future development of football in the Mainland.

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 HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2023/24, the Club returned a total of HK$40.1 billion to the community. This included HK$29.9 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$10.2 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s leading charity donors.