Outstanding graduates of JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme awarded with trip to Manchester

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced at the 10th JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme graduation ceremony today (15 June) the names of six outstanding young leaders who will travel to Manchester, England to participate in a series of activities organised by the Manchester United and its Foundation to learn about the local football culture and engage in community football services .

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (back row, 1st left); Manchester United legend Bryan Robson (back row, 2nd left); Hong Kong Head Coach, Manchester United Soccer Schools, Christopher O’Brien (back row, 3rd left) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee, Jason Lee (back row, 4th left) with six outstanding leaders of the 10th JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme. They have been awarded an opportunity to visit Manchester.

The scheme, organised by the Club in collaboration with Manchester United and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), supported by funding from the Club’s Charities Trust for programme operation this year, was completed by 53 youngsters aged between 15 and 19. The six-month programme, comprising activities including football event organisation training, star mentor workshops, personal challenge and community football activities, helps young people to develop leadership potential and contributes to the betterment of our society.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme helps young people develop physically, mentally and socially.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said that as a world-class sports organisation, the Club is strongly committed to supporting sports development in schools, the community and at the elite level. The Club actively seeks opportunities, such as the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme and a series of activities in collaboration with Manchester United, to strengthen connectivity between East and West for youngsters’ benefit. He congratulated the graduates and said he believed the scheme has helped young people seize opportunities and develop physically, mentally and socially.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme helps young people develop physically, mentally and socially.

During the ceremony, held at Happy Valley Racecourse, the Club’s CEO presented each of the six outstanding leaders with a Certificate of Merit. Selected on the basis of their outstanding attitude and performance, they will participate in the football-cultural exchange tour to Manchester in August. Four other leaders were presented with a  Most Improved Award by TWGHs’ 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee, Jason Lee.

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson, one of the most influential footballers of the 1980s and 1990s, nicknamed “Captain Marvel” for his performances with both England and Manchester United, witnessed the young leaders’ graduation. He shared tips on good leadership and experiences from his Manchester United career, which spanned 13 seasons.

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson witnesses the graduation ceremony and shares leadership tips with participants.

The Club has worked as a Hong Kong Community Football Partner of Manchester United since 2012, launching various programmes to support youth development at school, community and elite levels. More than 480 youngsters have participated in the JC Youth Football Leadership Scheme since 2014. Notably, 48 outstanding young leaders have had the opportunity to visit Manchester.

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson (left) watches the Summer Series races at Sha Tin Racecourse on Saturday (14 June) with the Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right).

Over the years, the Club has promoted sports at both the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy sports. Funded by the Club in partnership with the Government, the Hong Kong Sports Institute was established in 1982 (initially named Jubilee Sports Centre) as a training base for elite local athletes. In 2021, the Club pledged HK$150 million to match the HKSAR Government’s HK$150 million grant for the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme.

The TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.