Jockey Club supports Strive and Rise Programme’s Sichuan study tour and celebrates its launch at welcome dinner

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to supporting the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme. Since its launch, the Club and its Charities Trust has approved a cumulative donation of around HK$31 million to support the implementation of all three of its cohorts. The initiative helps young participants broaden their horizons, build selfconfidence, develop a positive outlook on life and set meaningful goals for the future.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (centre); Ma Cong, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Sichuan Province (3rd right); Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (3rd left); Yvonne Yeung, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association Chief Executive (2nd right), and other guests attended the Strive and Rise Programme Sichuan study tour welcome dinner.

Following a positive response to the programme’s first Club-supported summer study tour last year to Hangzhou, the Club is once again supporting over 90 students from the third cohort to take part in a five-day study tour to Sichuan this summer. The tour will give the students an opportunity to explore Sichuan’s rich cultural heritage, gain insights into its latest technological and economic developments, and deepen their sense of national pride.

To welcome the students to Sichuan, a dinner was held today (11 August) in Chengdu, attended by Chris Sun, the HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ma Cong, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Sichuan Province; Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs; Yvonne Yeung, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association Chief Executive; and other guests, includingfive Club student mentors.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, thanked the Club for its strong commitment to and generous support of the Strive and Rise Programme. This includes support for all three cohorts and the Sichuan study tour, all of which help to broaden the students’ horizons, enrich their knowledge and reinforce their self-confidence. He also encouraged students tomake the most of this rewarding exchange opportunity, noting that the experience willserve as a valuable asset for their future.

Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, reaffirmed the Club’sstrong commitment to empowering youth from diverse backgrounds. Over the years, the Club has supported and launched many initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to become active citizens and contribute meaningfully to society, he said. It has also sought to cultivate their sense of cultural identity and pride in the nation.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (3rd right) and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (3rd left) engage with students during the dinner.

He added that following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, the Club pledged HK$1 billion to support various reconstruction and capacity-building projects in the province. As part of the five-day study tour, participants will visit two of these projects, offering them insights into the outcome of the partnership between Sichuan and Hong Kong. Students will visitrenowned cultural landmarks, historical sites and innovative enterprises. The tour will also provide opportunities for participants to interact with local youths to foster stronger engagement and friendships among young people.

One of the Club-supported projects the students will visit is the Sichuan University-The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, the first of its kind in China. The Institute integrates scientific research, talent development and social services in the fields of disaster prevention and reduction, and post-disaster reconstruction. It also provides education and training for high-level professionals inrelated fields, contributing significantly to the long-term enhancement of the region’s disaster resilience.

Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (4th row, centre); Ronald Chan, the Club's Head of Mainland Affairs (Policy and Stakeholders Engagement) (4th row, 13th left), Club mentors and other Sichuan study tour participants at Hong Kong International Airport before their departure.

The other Club-supported project on the students’ schedule is the Sichuan HKJC Olympic School. The Club funded construction of the school in response to the severe impact of the earthquake on sports talent development in Sichuan. The school combines sports trainingand academic education, aiming to cultivate a new generation of elite athletes.

The first cohort of the Strive and Rise Programme was launched in 2022. Through tripartite collaboration between the HKSAR Government, the business sector and the community, the programme aims to help secondary school students set goals for the future and strive for upward mobility.

The Club, as one of the vice-chairpersons of the programme’s Partners’ Board, has not only provided financial support but also nominated over 40 employees, along with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships scholars and fellows invarious sectors, to become volunteer mentors for the third cohort. Student participants are also invited to visit Club facilities, including Tai Kwun, The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, Equine Hospital and Tuen Mun Public Riding School.The Club’s support for the Strive and Rise Programme, 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.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting a major initiative to strengthen school sports development across Hong Kong through the Jockey Club School Sports Programmes, launched last year in partnership with The Schools Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China (HKSSF). As the first HKSSF initiative to receive funding from the Trust, the programmes aim to support the continuous enhancement of inter-school sports competitions while improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of school sports across Hong Kong.

Group photo of awardees at the Jockey Club Schools Sports Programmes Laurel School Award 2025-2026.

Under the Jockey Club School Sports Programmes, the Jockey Club Student Athlete Recognition Scheme - Laurel School Award 2025-2026 Presentation Ceremony was held today (13 July) at Diocesan Girls’ School. The Laurel School Award is one of the most prestigious honours in Hong Kong school sports, recognising schools that have demonstrated outstanding all-round performance across a wide range of sporting competitions.

Bernard Chan, Club Steward (right), presents Sportsboy and Sportsgirl of The Year Awards.

Officiating guests at the award ceremony included May Chan, Permanent Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Stella Lau, Honorary President (Life) of the HKSSF. Also attending were representatives of the HKSSF, school principals, teachers and student athletes.

May Chan, Permanent Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Stella Lau, Honorary President (Life) of the HKSSF (1st right), and other guests officiate at the Jockey Club Schools Sports Programmes Laurel School Award 2025-2026.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said, “As a world-class sports organisation, the Jockey Club is a firm believer in youth development through sport. Through our Charities Trust we have donated close to HK$6.7 billion over the past decade to promote sports development at elite and community levels. Through the Jockey Club School Sports Programmes, we hope to inspire more students to participate in sport, while ensuring that every young person, regardless of their school, district or background, has access to high-quality sporting opportunities.”

Bernard Chan, Club Steward, delivers a speech at the Laurel School Award 2025-2026.

In 2025, the Trust approved a donation of HK$70.3 million to support the five-year programme to strengthen inter-school competitions at both primary and secondary schools through enhanced competition standards, athlete recognition, volunteer development and sustainability initiatives. It is expected to benefit more than 340,000 students, provide training opportunities for over 1,400 students, teachers and parent volunteers, and attract over 540,000 attendances at programme-related events over the five-year period. The programme also aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s emphasis on talent cultivation, youth development, and the advancement of a strong sporting nation and healthy China.

Group photo.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club School Sports Programmes, 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.