Professional Coach Training: A Fun Experience for Learning and Upgrading Skills

13/04/2023

This year, the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme (the Programme) continues its collaboration with The Hong Kong Institute of Higher Education and Technology (THEi), while welcoming the Lingnan University School of Continuing Education (LU) as a new partner to encourage more students to pursue a career in sport.

Now in its fifth year, the programme offers six compulsory classes for students from THEi's Department of Sport and Recreation Management, with a mix of practical and theoretical sessions led by Manchester United Soccer School Hong Kong Head Coach Chris O'Brien (OB). Horris, a "star student", said, "Learning coaching skills helps me improve my communication skills, opening up more possibilities for my future development.”

Held on the campus of Lingnan University, the project’s latest partner, the two-day soccer workshop introduced 64 sports coaches and Higher Diploma in Leadership students to the Manchester United Soccer School training model, broadening their horizons. “Fun elements like games and competitions made the training interactive and much more effective!" said participant Ng Man Ki.

Both cohorts have increased their confidence as a result of learning a variety of new skills. As OB puts it, "The students’ newly acquired communication skills will be useful in in any situation.”