Man. United & Hong Kong Jockey Club Extend Unique Partnership

The ground-breaking partnership which has seen Manchester United support football development in Hong Kong has been given a four-year boost.

At the city’s Happy Valley Clubhouse it was today confirmed that The Hong Kong Jockey Club will continue to be an official Manchester United partner in Hong Kong, after the partnership was launched in 2012.

The new agreement, which gives the partnership a second four-year term, will extend the relationship between two leading, long-standing and respected institutions.

Manchester United’s Academy team will play at least one match a year in Hong Kong as part of the new deal, with the first game expected to take place in the summer of 2017.

As part of its commitment to sporting excellence, as well as a compelling offering to customers in horse racing and sporting entertainment, The Hong Kong Jockey Club focused its partnership with United on the development of youth football in Hong Kong.

Its Community Youth Football Programme has been supported by Manchester United Soccer Schools' coaches, and has spearheaded a year-on-year increase not only in the development of young football players but also of coaches, who have been able to work in schools, inspire children and empower communities.

To celebrate the achievements and future success of the partnership, United’s Treble-winning legend Ronny Johnsen, group managing director Richard Arnold and commercial director Jamie Reigle joined Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, chief executive officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club at today’s event, where the extension of the partnership was announced.

United’s head of academy Nicky Butt also sent a message of support. As part of the new agreement, Academy coaches will fly out to Hong Kong four times a year to oversee the programme.

Manchester United’s group managing director Richard Arnold comments:

“The success achieved during the course of this partnership has been incredible and it’s an honour for us to continue our great work together for another four years. At Manchester United we have an unrivalled record of producing young footballers through an outstanding Academy system, including the recent emergence of a new group of players in the finest traditions of the Club. Having this commitment to youth development in our DNA has no doubt helped our work with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which shares so many of our values.

“You wouldn’t have to go that far back in time to have seen Marcus Rashford, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Jesse Lingard playing in our Academy team and we look forward to bringing a new generation of future United hopefuls to our two million fans in Hong Kong.”

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, chief executive officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, comments:

“Today as we take forward our partnership with Manchester United and the Hong Kong Football Association, our aim is to further maximise the potential of Hong Kong’s young people through football – to inspire them to exceed and excel in everything they do, and to encourage them to always put their best foot forward.”