2013 – 香港未來足球發展的預示年
2012年，香港足球代表隊不但於客場戰和馬來西亞，亦於東亞盃外圍賽第二圈有不俗演出，而在剛過去的省港盃更勇奪冠軍殊榮。今年，香港足球代表隊會以這些比賽的經驗作為成功的基礎，並集中應付2015亞洲盃外圍賽的數場賽事，包括對戰烏茲別克、越南及阿聯酋。而女子足球代表隊及五人足球隊(男子及女子)亦會力求進步，而後者更會於6月參加亞洲室內足球比賽。
另外，今年將會重新修定香港基層足球發展的制度及架構，期望可將草根足球的水準提升至更高水平。我們不但會讓更多人可以有機會接觸足球運動，更重要是令他們有更高質素之培訓，並從中發掘及培育他們。為達到此目的，一個全新的教練課程將會制定並推出。
對於計劃在將軍澳興建的香港足球訓練中心，2013年亦是重要的一年。足總將會繼續與政府及香港賽馬會緊密合作，為訓練中心於商業及球場的設施上作出全面的策劃。相信今年完成規劃後可於2014年初開始動工。
今年對全新規劃的香港超級足球聯賽亦是同等重要。2013/14年球季將是一個過渡球季，讓12支球隊可重新裝備及計劃以配合新聯賽的發展。於2012年初成立之合作團隊將會繼續定期會面，為全新聯賽訂立新的標準。
而球證發展亦是今年重要的一環。我們希望可以邀請一些有經驗的外國球證親臨執教球證訓練班，並為現有的球證作出不同指導。
當然，足總現有的工作並不會因為新計劃而暫停。我們將會繼續安排不同組別的比賽、盃賽、邀請賽及青少年足球課程。作為體育機構，我們一方面會積極改善內部架構、財政狀況及行政安排，另一方面則會全力增進對外的市場策劃、關係及名聲。
我感到香港足球總會越來越有活力，並擁有堅決改革的決心。我對今年所計劃達成的目標十分樂觀。聖誕過後，我對每位員工都各歸其位，如箭在弦般努力工作感到非常鼓舞。在更多新員工加入下，相信這種積極態度會得到進一步提升。我們正一同規劃新的方案及一些大型項目，這一切都使2013年變得興奮。
員工及人事發展
近數月中，我們分別任命了一些基層以及管理層的員工，管理層職員包括人力資源及行政經理(張嘉雯小姐)、資訊科技經理(陳洛桓先生)及教練培訓經理(陳曉明先生)。這些管理人員的任命，絕對是推動我們向前發展的關鍵。
技術發展方面，我們亦會於短期內任命球證經理、草根足球經理、女子足球經理及五人足球經理。這論證足總的決心去改善由基層至高水平的足球發展，並建立合適的渠道去培訓富天賦的男女運動員。
總結
2013年，不論在球場內及球場外，皆是「鳳凰計劃」重新起飛並取得進展的重要一年。除了足總內部的管治會得到提升外，一些主要項目亦必定會於不同層面提升香港足球的水平。
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2013 Heralds a Brighter Future for Football in Hong Kong
The representative senior team intends to build on the success it achieved at the end of 2012 with a good away draw in Malaysia, a solid performance in the EAFF Preliminary Round 2 and winning the Guangdong Cup. This year will be focused on the Asian Cup 2015 with qualification matches against Uzbekistan, Vietnam and the UAE. The Womens football team and our Futsal teams (men and women) will also be hungry for success, the latter competing in the Asian Indoor Games in June.
This year we will be revising our Football Development systems and structures from the grass roots to the high performance level. We intend to get more people playing football, more frequently and exposing them to higher quality training. Pathways will be created to allow talent to be identified, nurtured and brought to fruition. To facilitate this, a new coach education programme will be developed and promoted.
2013 will be a critical year for the Hong Kong Football Training Centre at Tseung Kwan O. The HKFA will work with the Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club to develop the business plan and site master plan for this much needed facility. It is hoped that the work done this year will enable a start on construction in early 2014.
Similarly this year is also important for the introduction of a new Hong Kong Premier League. The 2013/14 season will be a transitional year with 12 teams competing in an expanded format. The working party formed at the end of 2012 will meet regularly to plan the format of the new league and the entry criteria.
There will also be a big focus this year on referee development, linked to the new league. We hope to bring some high profile foreign referees to Hong Kong to hold master classes and mentor existing referees.
Of course, the day to day work of the HKFA does not stop whilst these new initiatives are being managed. We continue to organize the existing Divisions, Cup competitions, tournaments and youth programmes. As an organization we still have work to do on our internal systems, finances and administration as well as improving our external marketing, relationships and reputation.
I detect a new more vibrant and determined atmosphere here at the HKFA. I am really optimistic about what we can achieve this year. Our existing staff have come back from their Christmas break with a spring in their step which is very encouraging. This positive attitude has been given a further boost by the introduction of some new human resources. Together we are planning for some major events, new programmes and some big projects, all of which makes 2013 an exciting prospect.
Staff Developments
In recent months we have appointed a number of junior staff as well as some more senior people including an HR Manager (Ms. Cheung Ka Man, Cherish), an IT Manager (Mr. Chan Lok Wun, Lorvan) and a Coach Education Manager (Mr. Chan Hiu Ming). These managerial positions are crucial to drive our business forward.
The Senior Management Team of the HKFA has been strengthened with the appointment of a Head of Marketing and Communications, Pearl Chow who started at the HKFA on 7th January and a Head of Corporate Governance, Aaron Cheng who joins us on 20th February.
Regarding the Technical side, we will be interviewing shortly for a Referees Manager, Youth and Grassroots Manager, Women’s Football Manager and Futsal Manager. This demonstrates that the HKFA is serious about delivering improved football development from the grassroots to the high performance level and to creating pathways for talented footballers, both male and female.
Summary
Project Phoenix is gathering momentum and 2013 is the year where real progress will be made both on the pitch and off it. The internal governance and management of the HKFA will be strengthened and some major projects will help to raise the standard of football at all levels.
I think that invite the Division 2,3,4 Participant to join the "H.K. FA CUP" is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteCause it can been find out the "Remarkable Youngster"!
Victor,
DeleteWe will be reviewing our Cup competitions. I come from England where the FA Cup is traditionally a highlight of the year. Back home all affiliated teams can play in the FA Cup not just the Premier League Teams or the Football League teams but literally hundreds of amateur teams from all over the Country. Not only is it a good talent ID opportunity but it can be very exciting with 'giant killing' stories.
Of course talent identification needs to be planned into the system too and not just linked to cup competitions.
Mark
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteWill the training centre include futsal facilities as well?
Thanks for the update. It's great to know that the HKFA is looking to the future. An important participation in the Asian Indoor Games would be very welcome for the HK futsal.
All the best
Bruno Cannavan
Bruno,
DeleteFurther to my previous comment about Futsal, I can confirm that Futsal facilities will feature as part of the Training Centre specification.
Secondly as I said, we are entering teams in the Asian Indoor Games - our preparations are already underway.
Mark
As a soccer fan ,I would like to know more about the HK preMier league. It would be good if you can give us more details.
ReplyDeleteKen,
ReplyDeleteThe thinking behind the HK Premier League is that the popularity and quality of the professional tier of football is the 'lifeblood' of the sport. A strong league which is well supported and produces top quality players will enhance the performance of the representative team, attract more people to the sport as well as generating more revenue and commercial opportunities. Strong footballing countries all have strong professional leagues. You only have to look at what has happened to football in Japan since the formation of the J League to see the significance.
The current 1st Division does not attract as many fans as it should in a place with 7.5m people and this lack of support and money is holding back the sport.
Therefore we need to do something to revitalise it, make it more attractive and vibrant and change the whole atmosphere. This will not be easy and may take some time. The thinking behind our current plans is that the criteria for the league will enable the winning team to participate in the AFC Champions League (currently the AFC does not feel our leeague is strong enough to merit entry into this competition). So the Clubs, the League, the facilities, the fan base, the administration etc will all need to improve to this level.
So far we have set up a working party of stakeholders to fine tune the detail of these plans and we have an outline plan which will evolve quickly over the next few months. I will share more detail in this blog when I can. There is a lot to be done and we need to make some significant changes. Therefore the 2013/14 season will be a 'transitional' year with the full 'new' Premier League being launched in 2014/15.
I hope this information has given you some hope for the future.
Mark
Thanks your information and it is sure Hk football has the future.
DeletePlease keep it up.
Add Oil our CEO!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteRemember me? I wrote to you, but you didn't reply. I responded unfavourably to "Dare to Dream" and "Project Phoenix." I will believe in the reform once I see new innovative thinkings and also passionate HK people working with you. Not by working with current stakeholders or HKSAR Government or trying to replicate schemes from other countries. Course we know what the FA Cup is about, HK used to be a British colony! But we don't have clubs that are over 150 years old and entrenched footballing culture like the UK. HK is a very unique place that demands respect. When you are truly ready for a real diaglogue (instead of a make us feel good blogspot post), do let me know.
ReplyDeleteHerman,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Just to let you know, there are a lot of local HK people working with me. They have helped to 'shape' our strategy and they are passionate about implementing it. Also, we must work with current stakeholders especially the Government. It is naive to think that we can implement change without their support and resources. There is a symbiotic relationship between Governments and sport all over the world. Governments support sport because of the positive benefits it brings to the individual, to communities and to society as a whole. HK is no different. I commend the HKSAR Government for the initiative it took in instigating the reform of football in Hong Kong. That deserves respect too.
All of the initiatives we are working on right now are Hong Kong specific. As you would expect we look to other countries (not just the UK) to provide examples of best practice but solutions are then tailored to the HK situation.
I think you missed my point about the English FA Cup. I wasn't suggesting that we replicate that over here, I was simply agreeing with another commentator that the HK Cup competitions should be open to more clubs.
I am sorry if you don't feel that my blog is a genuine opportunity for dialogue, I can assure you that it is. I am heartened by the largely positive response to this blog but of course I understand and respect the fact that not everyone will agree with everything that we do.
Mark,
DeleteThank you for your quick reply.
First, when I said working with HK people is actually working with passionate Hong Kong football lovers that are outside the current stakeholders. I believe our problems will persist if you don't reach out and work with new ideas from the football loving public.
As I stated in the mail to you long ago, our current government has a lot on their plate and don't exactly command a strong positive public image as it stands. They themselves lack the idealism to bring forward radical changes while also being hampered by bureaucracy in dealing with changes. We all know why governments supports sports, but unfortunately their red tapes will ultimately suffocate possible progress in this day and age. Dare to Dream was in late 2009. We live in a digital world (confirmed by you using a blog), therefore, we must and can bring in more forces to our work.
I didn't miss your point about the FA Cup or opening up to other divisions. It was the rhetoric that suggested we don't know anything about the FA Cup. We might not know a lot about the NCAA, but we do know about QPR long before this Premier League season.
I hope you understand the need for voices and ideas from all corners of HK. As I have suggested in my mail to you and the HKFA, please reach out to the public for a genuine dialogue and exchange of ideas. A blog is good and dandy, but you need to market the blog to make it effective. Then you need to show progress (big or small) through marketing, instead of just small replies here. It is not we disagree with everything you WILL be doing, it is just you need to show you are doing things differently than the way before. When that happens and the encouraging signs are there, more people will step forward in helping you with your movement.
Herman
Herman,
ReplyDeleteI am sure that you will notice a difference both in terms of what we do and also how we market the work of the HKFA. This blog is just one tiny part of our commitment to more open communication. I look forward to you 'stepping forward to help' once we have demonstrated some tangible changes.
Mark
Mark,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invite. I am on deck when you can give me a place, date, and time. I have actually waited for more than 10 years for this. The way I will help though is if there are initiatives and resources that empowers our footballing communities. The key is from the ground up and not replicating. I await for your good news and will be checking this blog regularly.
A word of advice, pls shoot your posts and replies onto more platforms and also translate them into Chinese. Just a button on the FA site, google circle share, and Atom to post comments, don't really cut it these days.
Herman
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI would to like to say every body loves HK football know the root problems are. It is just the time now to gett a right person to do the right job. As a football fan,we just want watch a good game. We need players with good attitude and moving and scores in a game. This is the starting points to bring more people watching.
Ken,
ReplyDeleteWell hopefully I am the right person doing the right job. I agree that most people know what the problems are, including myself. The hard part is making changes that ensures that the standard of football is improved. It takes time to educate, coach and train a footballer, it needs a systematic approach and a clear strategy. We also need excellent coaches, good facilities and excellent support, such as conditioning, medical services etc. We are working on all of these things and hopefully the results will be seen on the pitch.
Thank you for your continued interest.
Mark
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteIt's refreshing to see the CEO of the football association being open to fans' comments and willing to engage in dialogues with the various stakeholders. I'm sure that after these couple of months in your role, you'd have discovered the uniqueness about football in Hong Kong. It's not definitely not the easiest of jobs and I applaud you for taking up the challenge.
I'm not sure if you are aware, but over in England, Bradford City of the country's lowest professional league division (League Two, or the old Fourth Division), has just managed to beat Aston Villa of the Premier League and earned themselves a place in the League Cup Final. I read in your earlier response to a fan that you too agree that for local cup competitions in Hong Kong, more clubs should be allowed to participate. I hope that Bradford City's success would give you a greater determination to do so because in Hong Kong, we have the Senior Shield and the FA Cup being competed by teams from the First Division only, and that made the competitions boring. I mean, even as I am a South China fan, it is appalling to see South China play Citizen AA six times a season (twice in the league, twice in the Senior Shield and twice in the FA Cup). My suggestion is that for the FA Cup, since it's called the Football Association Cup, it should be opened to all clubs registered under the Football Association. We don't have to put all the teams in the hat for the first round - we could do it in a way similar to England, where the lower division teams would start the competition first, and then the teams from the First Division would then join the competition in later rounds. In that way, teams from the lower divisions will also be able to have a few more games in their season, and what's more important is that they would also have a dream of going to to the Hong Kong Stadium - the mecca of Hong Kong football - to really challenge for the cup. Giant-killing is the beauty of knockout competitions, and why should we not allow that to happen in Hong Kong? Sure, if Wofoo Tai Po or Southern District manage to knock South China or Kitchee out of the FA Cup, it is really a big piece of news. But imagine the impact if it were Mutual or Sai Kung Friends who did the giant-killing instead - it will be all over the papers!
Kin-Ching
Dear Kin-Ching,
DeleteThank you for your comments. Actually I am not that new to Hong Kong football. Although I have only been working for the HKFA for four months I have been involved in various football projects since 2009. That is when I first saw the uniqueness but also the potential. There is such a lot of passion and interest in football in Hong Kong. You're right, it's not an easy job but actually I am very privileged to be working in a sport that I love, a place that is special and for and with people that share a vision of where football should be. I will continue to do my best for football in Hong Kong.
I was aware of the fact that Bradford City had beaten Aston Villa. One of my friends is a Villa supporter(!) and he was on the phone to me saying how devastated he was. As I said in one of my previous comments I believe that we should review our Cup competitions and I will be looking at this as part of the plans for a new Premier League.
Mark
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteWhen will you be interviewing for the women's football manager position? I haven't seen this job advertised on the HKFA website yet?
Michele
Dear Michele,
DeleteThe Women's Football Manager's position was advertised on our website and in the newspaper. The closing date has now past and we are in the process of short listing candidates.
Mark