Jockey Club and XIX Entertainment Launch Next phase of Now United Hong Kong Talent Search with Auditions and Workshops

The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on 12 May its plan to become a global sports entertainment brand and to showcase Hong Kong as a centre for global exchange, connectivity and tourism, with the ultimate aim of creating more value for the community. To further this vision, the Club has entered into a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment – led by industry visionary Simon Fuller – and together they have launched their first collaboration. They are bringing Fuller’s global pop group Now United to Hong Kong and are hosting a talent search to find the group’s next member. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring local talent to shine on the world stage, as well as a platform to showcase the vibrancy of Hong Kong and horse racing with millions of Now United fans worldwide through musical performances, social media posts and racecourse entertainment. A two-day workshop including classes led by top choreographers and voice coaches was held recently to provide the young dreamers with professional training. Popular youtubers Christy Choi and Jeffery Kwan of the YouTube channel Pomato also joined the workshop and documented the journey.

Club and XIX team up to empower youth and nurture talent

With a shared vision of nurturing and empowering young talent, the Club and XIX have come together to offer Hong Kong youngsters professional training and development to help them shine on the world stage. The Now United Hong Kong talent search has entered an exciting new phase as the team looks for its newest member. Shortlisted candidates were invited to auditions led by Fuller last week, where they were professionally evaluated on singing, dancing, stage presence and star potential.

Hollywood’s Academy of Pop offers professional training for young local talent

World-class choreographer Nicky Andersen and singing coach Berkley The Artist from the Academy of Pop in Los Angeles offered participants mentorship in singing, dancing and stage performance during a masterclass to inspire them with confidence. As the first initiative under the Club’s strategic partnership with XIX, the talent search embodies the Club’s bold vision to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand, while promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s most vibrant city.

Dance workshop by Nicky Andersen

Nicky Andersen hosts a two-day intensive dance workshop that challenges participants technically to help them grow artistically. To reinforce their foundational skills, Day One explores commercial dance techniques and movement exercises and teaches them two dance routines. Day Two focuses on the skills needed to take dance performances to the next level including improving stage presence and storytelling and how to create emotional connection.

Singing workshop by Berkley The Artist

This workshop by Berkley The Artist trains talents how to strengthen their voice and explores the skills needed to become a dynamic vocalist. Day One begins with warm-ups to improve breathing control and diction, expand vocal range and find voice clarity. Participants put their skills to the test by learning songs and exploring various blends and styles. Day Two focuses on bringing vocal performances to the next level by improving phrasing and lyrical interpretation, developing stage presence and creating emotional connections.

Pomato’s Christy Choi and Jeffery Kwan meet pop star power

Christy Choi and Jeffery Kwan of the YouTube channel Pomato joined workshops meticulously crafted by a star-studded international team. They engaged with fellow participants and Hollywood coaches, taking the chance to learn from industry experts while documenting the journeys of aspiring youths trying to realise their dreams. Christy described this as a rare opportunity to experience Hollywood-level training first-hand, saying she hoped to showcase her newly improved singing and dancing skills in future Pomato videos. The experience also resonated with Jeffery, who recalled that he too was following his dream when he joined Pomato. He said he identified with the workshop participants’ passion and dedication.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club), as the sole Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competition Region of this year’s National Games, today (24 November) announced cash incentives to support HKSAR athletes competing in the upcoming 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities.

The flag presentation ceremony for the HKSAR delegation to the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG) was held at Tiu Keng Leng Sports Centre today. Attending guests included: HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Sun Shang-wu; HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law; China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee President Jenny Fung; President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Timothy Fok; and Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Huang.

The upcoming NGD & NSOG will cover 46 sports, including the NGD & NSOG The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Wheelchair Fencing Competition and the NGD & NSOG The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Para Table Tennis (T11) Competition, which will be held in Hong Kong. To encourage HKSAR athletes, the Club will, for the first time, provide cash incentives under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) in all medal categories of the NGD, with individual and team gold medallists receiving HK$187,500 and HK$375,000 respectively (See table below for details).

Lester Huang expressed his wholehearted support for the city’s para athletes, encouraging them to follow the inspiring example of HKSAR athletes at the 15th National Games. “The Hong Kong team has written a new and glorious chapter in our city’s sporting history with a total of 19 medals, including nine golds, two silvers and eight bronzes. The Club has long promoted sport at community and elite levels, enabling people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to participate. We therefore wish every HKSAR athlete the very best of luck at the upcoming 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.”

The three-year JCAIAS was launched in 2023. Under the scheme, the Club sponsors the Hong Kong Sports Institute to provide cash awards to Hong Kong, China athletes who excel in major sporting events. These include the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, World University Games, National Games together with their respective Winter Games and the National Games for Persons with Disabilities.

In support of the National Games, the Club has committed over HK$500 million to the Hong Kong and Guangdong Competition Regions. In the Hong Kong Competition Region, it is supporting volunteer service programmes, territory-wide community and school promotional activities, as well as initiatives to help underprivileged groups and young people attend the events as spectators. Some 100 members from the Club’s Volunteer Team are helping out as Group Volunteers in the Hong Kong Competition Region.

In the Guangdong Competition Region, the Club is providing high-quality technical support for the equestrian events in Shenzhen, leveraging its extensive experience in organising horse sports competitions. To help ensure the equestrian events are conducted to a high standard, the Club is also deploying an expert team and loaning specialist equipment. Additionally, the Club will support the Guangdong Competition Region’s official activities, volunteer services and promotion work.