Jockey Club nurtures young local talent to shine on world stage with Hong Kong, China member joining global pop group Now United

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been committed to youth development over the years - to support young local talent to perform on a global stage, the Club has partnered with XIX Entertainment to bring Now United to Hong Kong for a talent search back in May. After months of auditions and Hollywood-level training, locally born talent Ariel Tsang was debuted last Thursday as the first Hong Kong, China member of global pop Now United.

HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador Aaron Kwok (front row, 3rd right) performed with Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang (front row, 1st left) and other group members last Thursday.

Tsang’s proficiency in Cantonese, English and Putonghua enables her to collaborate with group members and communicate with audiences from around the world, showcasing her abilities and creativity. She provides a bridge that connects Hong Kong’s new generation of talent to the world stage.

HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador Aaron Kwok (centre) with Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang (5th right) and other group members.

Dennis Hau, Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, highlighted the Club’s aspiration to become a global sports entertainment brand, beginning with its partnership with XIX. “This collaboration will deliver attractive world-class racing and entertainment experiences for local residents and tourists, encouraging them to experience the magic when horse sports meet top-class entertainment,” he said. “The Club has long been committed to youth and talent development, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity provides young local talent with world-class training. We look forward to Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member helping to promote tourism in Hong Kong and take local horse racing events to the world.”

Posing for a group photo with Now United members on stage are Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (8th left); Angelina Cheung, Commissioner for Tourism (7th right); Joanne Chu, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism (7th left); Dennis Hau, the Club’s Executive Director of Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation (6th left); Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (6th right); and Aaron Kwok, HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador (centre).

Asian superstar Aaron Kwok attended the media unveiling in his capacity as “HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador” to nurture promising local talent and encourage young people to follow their dreams. He is a well-known proponent of encouraging performers and artists to shine on the stage, in keeping with the Club’s commitment to youth and talent development.

Dennis Hau, the Club’s Executive Director of Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation (6th left), and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (6th right), present the Certificate of Appointment to Aaron Kwok as the HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador (centre).

Being a horse owner with a love of horses, Kwok praised the Club for its contributions to the betterment of society over the years. He noted it has made Hong Kong synonymous with world-class racing while also supporting countless charitable and community projects locally and internationally. He praised the Club’s commitment to youth and talent development, and expressed the hope that this once-in-a-lifetime Now United initiative would inspire Hong Kong youths to show their passion and talent to the world.

Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang.

Internationally renowned entertainment producer, sports promoter and XIX founder Simon Fuller praised the Club’s innovative vision of combining world-class sports and entertainment, noting Now United complements the dynamic energy of Hong Kong perfectly. He hoped the group’s new Hong Kong member would showcase their optimism and resilience to shine on the world stage.

Global pop group Now United performed on stage.

Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang performed with other group members last Thursday.

To learn more about Now United’s activities in Hong Kong and the Club’s entertainment initiatives, please visit and follow @hkjcentertainment on Instagram.

The Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony cum Forum 2025 was held today (9 January) to recognise the many volunteers who have contributed to the betterment of our society. The Award is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust through its JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative, launched and funded by the Trust in 2022 to promote a culture of volunteering and community care.

Janet Lee, wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief (2nd left); Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (2nd right); Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left); and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service (1st right), officiate at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.

Co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service, the event's opening ceremony was officiated by guests including Janet Lee, wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief; Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.

Club Steward Jackson Woo highlighted the Club's long-standing partnership with the Agency for Volunteer Service, dating back to the 1970s, in promoting volunteering. In recent years, through the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative, the Club has broadened its support by promoting the concept of “Volunteer for Impact" and introducing many exclusive awards that recognise contributions from diverse sectors and foster the sustainable development of volunteer services. He added that the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team participates in a variety of community services, including supporting the recently concluded 15th National Games, bringing care and warmth to communities across Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Award

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with a Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour Award.

The CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team comprises dedicated employees who, in 2024 alone, contributed over 25,000 volunteering hours, benefiting more than 740,000 people. At this year's Hong Kong Volunteer Award, the Club was awarded, Outstanding Corporate Award and Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour Award, underscoring the dedication and impact of its volunteer team.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (first row, 8th left), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (first row, 9th left), with members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

The integrated platform launched under JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER has attracted over 23,000 registered volunteers to date, with cumulative service hours close to 270,000.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), with recipients of the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award.

Since 2023, the Club has supported awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme through JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER including the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Caring School Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Evergreen Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours), the JC VOLUNTEER TOETHER Rising Star Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours) and the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Caring School, all of which celebrate exceptional volunteering efforts. The Club also supports the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award, which honours individuals who are volunteering for the first time or returning to volunteer work, recognising their achievements and contributions. Further details can be found on the Hong Kong Volunteer Award website: https://hkvaward.hk/

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (back row, 12th left), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (back row, centre), with members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and the awarded JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER volunteers.

JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER was launched in collaboration with 12 partner organisations. It is designed to encourage and mobilise primary and secondary school students, families, working adults, people aged 50+ and retirees as well as the general public to do good for society. It has also created the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER PLATFORM in collaboration with six major volunteer matching hubs in Hong Kong to help people identify volunteering opportunities and register for and keep track of their volunteering activities.

The Club's support for the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, like all its charity and community contributions, 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.