With skaters clocked at more than 30km an hour, ice hockey is without a doubt one of the fastest team sports in the world. Hockey players not only need stamina for the intense skating and physical strength to handle body contact, but also discipline and focus to ensure that everybody on the ice can enjoy the game in a safe environment. This is precisely why the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club (HKAHC) decided to work together (forged a partnership) in implementing the Jockey Club Ice Hockey Generation Next program, focusing on the development of young leaders and promoting life-long sportsmanship through ice hockey.

With funding amounting to HKD 4.7 million and 180 applicants, this is without a doubt one of the largest-scaled hockey programs in Hong Kong. While the program is centered around ice hockey, it is in fact, about much more. Mr. Robert Kang, one of the coaches involved in the program, said “Aside from the skill development, high level training and competition this program will provide, there is a bigger and far more important vision and goal for this program. Ice hockey is a team game and this concept of team work, fair play, commitment, and respect for the game we love is the foundation and main philosophy for Generation Next. Hockey is all about attitude, character and playing for your teammates, and this very important concept is something players must buy into in order to enjoy the hockey experience.”

Present at the kick-off ceremony of the program were Secretary of Home Affairs, Mr. Lau Kong-Wah, Head of Charities Projects of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms. Rhoda Chan, Chairman of the HKAHC, Mr. Thomas Wu, and Mr. Barry Beck, Head Coach of the Programe. The officiating guests took part in a ceremonious puck-drop, signaling the start of the 3-year program that will surely generate a new breed of young hockey players that will continue to benefit the local community for years to come.