Jockey Club Basketball Program Enters Second Year, Empowering Youth Through Sports and Social Work
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Jockey Club Get Stronger Basketball Program: BGCA Care Connects Community has launched its second year at Southorn Playground on October 3, 2026, aiming to support over 300 youth aged 13-24 through basketball training combined with social worker support. The three-year program, funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charitable Trust and organized by the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, focuses on holistic youth development using the 6C framework. In its first year, the program trained 308 players, organized 96 matches, and participants contributed over 903 hours of community service.
Key Points
- Second-year launch ceremony held at Southorn Playground on October 3, 2026, with H.K. Jockey Club Charitable Trust General Manager Leona Ho Lai-sheung and BGCA Executive Director Lawrence Lau Chung presiding
- Program targets 300+ youth aged 13-24 with free professional basketball training, career planning workshops, and community volunteer opportunities
- First year results: 308 players trained across 22 teams, completing 693 training sessions and 96 matches with 40+ participants traveling to Macau for exchanges
- Integrated 6C development framework encompasses Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, Caring, and Community to build resilience against academic and growth pressures
- Participants shared personal transformations, with U15 player Lang Sing overcoming emotional management issues through team collaboration and female captain Choi Chi-ching discovering career direction through social worker guidance
Why It Matters
This program addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's youth support infrastructure by combining competitive sports training with professional social work intervention. The initiative demonstrates how basketball can serve as a platform for holistic youth development, offering practical life skills and career exploration beyond the court while fostering community engagement and cross-regional connections that prepare young people for an increasingly interconnected Greater Bay Area.
This program addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's youth support infrastructure by combining competitive sports training with professional social work intervention. The initiative demonstrates how basketball can serve as a platform for holistic youth development, offering practical life skills and career exploration beyond the court while fostering community engagement and cross-regional connections that prepare young people for an increasingly interconnected Greater Bay Area.