The Manchester United Academy U16 team departs Hong Kong today (August 18), officially bringing this year’s JC Youth Football Academy Summit to an end. During the successful week-long event, the visitors joined local youth players in a number of football and cultural activities.

As well as on-pitch games and training, the summit provided young athletes with opportunities for community service, enabling them to give back to society. Earlier today, the Manchester United Academy U16 team, together with the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team and Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, engaged with more than 100 primary school students at the Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground to help them brush up their football skills.

A key highlight of the summit was two friendly matches. The second match was held last night (17 August) between the Manchester United Academy U16 team and the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team at Mong Kok Stadium. An opening ceremony for the match was officiated by George Tsoi, HKSAR Government Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Freely Cheng, Club Head of External Affairs; David Vincent, Partnerships Director of Manchester United; Eric Fok, Chairman of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China; and Jason Lee, 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.

The match attracted more than 4,500 spectators and featured a special meet-and-greet opportunity with Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel. Both teams delivered an exhilarating performance, with the Manchester team winning 7-1.

The Club has been a Hong Kong Community Football Partner of Manchester United since 2012, launching programmes to support youth development at school, community and elite levels. The JC Youth Football Academy Summit, launched in 2017, is a collaboration between the Club, Manchester United and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. It is supported by funding from the Club’s Charities Trust, with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals assisting in the operation of this year’s programme. The programme also included a visit to the Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, as well as a dragon boat experience and a series of training sessions and community service opportunities.

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.