Thursday 3 January 2013

CEO 的話 Blog – January 2013

在新一年以堅定決心面對挑戰 

New Year – Renewed Determination 



 "一年之計在於春" ~  又到了回顧過去展望將來的時候 

自從去年九月中我上任為足總第二任行政總裁在這三個多月,足總在各方面均有令人滿意的進展其中為各界所知的包括署理總教練金判坤順利接替摩力克一事其餘大部份較少對外公開的工作包括於一些改變後穩定部的工作另外我亦花了一些時間認識和了解足總的運作文化人事項和不足之處我深信假以時日我們定會做出好成績與此同時我亦明白各界正期待足總在鳳凰計劃下能作出顯著的進和改革在此我向廣大支持足球運動的香港市民再次保証足總在過去數月已奠定基礎包括於不同層面增加人手以迎接鳳凰計劃帶來的轉變

新的一年正好讓我們抓緊時機去證明足總改革本港足球的決心我的團隊及各界的協助下我將集中推行以下幾項主要項完成後香港足球必有一番新景

·        為香港足球代表隊增加資源和系以便提升代表隊質素
·        促成及化基層足球運動發展,
·        改革現有的足球教練培訓課程,致力栽培新一代教練人才
·        將現有甲組足球聯賽提升為香港超級足球聯賽
·        策劃及興建香港足球培中心
·        提升現有裁判員水準和質素
·        整合及推廣香港女子足球運動

以上每一項皆對改革香港足球的十分重要而且當中環環相扣,需要一個有系統和互相協調的策略去推行與此同時,足總亦會繼續於各方面作出改善包括繼續增聘人手增加收入繼而改善財務提升足總形象和信譽以及合作伙伴球迷之間溝通

經過過去數月的適應裝備好自己相信憑我的知識及經驗可為足總對及對外的事務進行改革

新一年我比從前更加專注更加充滿熱誠和投入我的工作我確信聯同足總董事局我和我的團隊必定能將鳳凰計劃實踐和推行我深信我們一定能夠做到

行政總裁
薛基輔
二零一三年一月一日 
 
I am writing this on January the 1st, -- traditionally the time to reflect on the old and focus on the new. It’s three and a half months since I started as the second CEO of the HKFA. The time between September and Christmas passed very quickly and I am pleased with the progress made. Some of the work done was in the public spotlight such as replacing Ernie Merrick with Coach KIM, whereas some has been much less publically visible. A large proportion of the work done between September and Christmas was about ‘steadying the ship’ after a period of instability and change. Getting to know an organization, its strengths and weaknesses, the culture and complex relationships takes time. I believe that it is time well spent and a commitment that will ultimately yield positive results. And yet I know that people want to see tangible progress and evidence that the HKFA is embracing Project Phoenix.

I would like to reassure the people of Hong Kong who care about football that over the past few months we have laid many of the foundations that will bring about change including strengthening our human resources at all levels.

As we start 2013 now is the time to really pick up the pace of change and demonstrate that the HKFA is serious about transforming football. With the help of my colleagues and other stakeholders I am determined to focus on some major initiatives, things that will really make a difference. These include:

·      Putting in place systems and resources to raise the standard of the representative teams
·      Rationalizing and enhancing football development at the grass roots and creating pathways to excellence
·      Revising our coach education programmes and training a new generation of coaches
·      Moving towards a new ‘Premier’ League for Hong Kong
·      Planning and delivering a new Hong Kong Football Training Centre
·      Improving the standard of refereeing
·      Integrating and investing in girls and women’s football

All of the above are important and interrelated facets of the sport and need a systematic and cohesive implementation strategy. At the same time there is also a need to further improve the HKFA as an organization - to continue to strengthen our human resources, to improve the cash flow by generating additional commercial revenues, to enhance our public image and reputation and to communicate more effectively with our partners and the fans.

I firmly believe that the past few months have equipped me with the knowledge and skills to lead the internal and external transformation process. Together with the HKFA Board and my team, we can do it, I know we can. I return from my holiday even more focused, enthusiastic and committed to ‘develop’ the organization and to ‘deliver’ Project Phoenix.

Mark Sutcliffe, CEO
1st Jan 2013   

20 comments:

  1. Hey Mark, keep it up with good works!!

    There are plenty to do to achieve goals for HK football...

    Looking forward to the revolutions from you and your team!

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mark,

    Regarding the new structure of the HK Super League, I believe that building for the future of HK players are an important consideration.

    I think you should consider adding a rule to the new structure to help promote the growth of HK soccer, which is making teams field ONE U-21 Homegrown HK player compulsary in the Starting 11 for every match; and that during the duration of the match, there must be at least ONE u-21 player for each side on the pitch. (e.g. If the homegrown u-21 player gets subbed off, the replacement must be a homegrown u-21 player as well). I believe that this rule shouldn't only be limited to the top division only, but down to at least the third division, to give more chances to younger players playing at a competitive and professional level.

    I think there should be a limitation to the number of 21+ age players on the substitutes bench also. I think it would be good for development if at least TWO u-21 players must be on the bench for each match (means 1 u-21 starting, and two u-21 subs each match).

    In current state, Hong Kong football will cannot make big strides, therefore we should build for the future. In the short term, the quality of the league may be affected due to younger players getting more games, but in the longer term benefits will definitely be reaped with higher quality younger players coming through and higher amount of quality developed players (due to players getting their chances at a younger age and become more experienced when developed) playing in the league.

    This way will also cause the chance of young players turning professional larger, because this way will provide more opportunities to younger players to play, thus making their decision turning into professionals more straightforward.

    Please take consideration into making developing younger players a priority when planning for the new HK superleague structure, even though it may affect the quality of the league short-term, as the long-term benefits will definitely outweigh focusing only on short-term quality. The above are only some of my ideas and a few ways that may help the future of HK football, hope it can be of some help to you.

    Cheers,
    Bo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Bo, I certainly agree that developing young players is vital for the future of football in Hong Kong. Rest assured that myself and the HKFA Technical Department are working on plans to restructure youth development structures and pathways. We have just employed a Coach Education Manager who will be revising the curriculum in line with these new structures and educating our coaches on how to develop young players.
      The concept of 'the best against the best' is important and we are considering the introduction of a high performance youth league. This will hopefully involve Clubs in the new Premier League who will be required to have a youth Academy as part of the criteria for entering the league.
      We have established a Premier League Working Party and I will discuss with them the idea to field one under 21 year old player in the team. Mark

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your reply Mark.

      Mexico have one of the best youth talent in recent years, actually the idea of having one u21 player in the first 11 throughout the game is from the Mexico league, which I've read from somewhere not too long ago, but i can't find the link now (please take some time to check on it if possible as i dont have the resources to access it).

      The change to the structure of the Mexican youth development policies are mentioned in the link below.
      http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2012/08/01/3279098/brent-latham-how-mexico-became-one-of-the-best-youth-teams
      Although i know the geographical differences may make implementation of similar sort youth structures hard, but hope it will be of some use to you to act as reference.

      Ideally, if resources are available (which i know isn't), Mexico is a country that the youth policies may be taken a closer look at.

      Bo

      Delete
  3. Agree with Bo.

    Young players will not develop if the leading teams simply aim for short-term glory by stacking their teams with Spanish, Brazilian and Mainland players who are not considered good enough for their own senior domestic leagues.

    The idea of a compulsory U21 player on the field is an excellent one and will also benefit the national team.

    J-P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jonty,
      Please see my reply to Bo above. Thanks for your comment. Mark

      Delete
  4. The grass quality of Mongkok Stadim and HK Stadium is a shame of HK. HKFA should reflect this to the government department which is responsible for the maintenance of grass situation. How can professional soccer endures to play on summer grass (Mongkok Stadium) during winter time?? The summer grass is dying now and turned dry and yellow already!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mr Tang,
      Your observation is well noted and I'm sure reflects the thoughts of many people. The HKFA and the Clubs are constantly in touch with the Government on this issue and indeed we have a meeting this month to discuss this and other matters. We appreciate that the Government has a difficult task in providing sufficient pitches to cater for demand but it is critical to the success of Project Phoenix that our footballers have sufficient access to good quality playing surfaces. The Government have consultants helping them with the surface at the HKS and I have noticed some improvements there. We will continue to do what we can to influence and work with the Government on this important issue. Mark

      Delete
  5. Dear Mark,
    I am sure that you are a brave and committed senior executive in this aspect. Please do not make the same mistakes as your former CEO and coach of HK Football team. Having read your targets at your blog, please be reminded to set up the feasible and innovative plans to remove the hurdles! The hurdles against the development are old culture of whole football atmosphere. People are reluctant and afraid to change. You have to change the HKFA old management style, unprofessional stakeholders and practitioners (coach, player, commentator, referee, team managers, league bosses, ..etc), attitude of
    youngsters, threat or competition from other media. Do not rely on subsidy from government.

    Regards

    Clement


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Clement,
      Thank you for your concerns. The advantage I have over the people you mention is that I was involved in writing the Government's strategy Dare to Dream and I was the principal author of Project Phoenix. Therefore I understand the culture and politics of Hong Kong Football. I believe that there is appetitie for change and that now the Project Phoenix juggernaut is rolling it will be difficult to stop. Change is never easy and there will always be anxieties and resistance firstly to understand and secondly to overcome. You are right that selling the benefits of change to the stakeholders is at least as important as completing the individual tasks themselves. Mark

      Delete
  6. Dear Mark,
    Thank for your swift reply from oversea.
    Your insight and expertise is much valued as well as your perseverance is respectable. We all are looking forward to having the final success of your plan.
    Regards
    Clement

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a good start to have hkfa directly communication to the Public. Please keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ken,
    Thank you. The HKFA is the 'guardian' of the sport but football has always been 'the people's game'. A two-way dialogue is important.
    Mark

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Mark,

    To be success, you have to do something to improve the quality of and enlarge the pool of referees. HK is shorted of referees not to mention good quality referees.

    I noticed that there are only four referees frequently performing as key referee in the first division league of HK. Sometimes their performance are disappointed and should be improved. But the worst thing is that they don't know. As a spectator, I want to watch a high level football match with fair play. But it's pity, the match was sometimes destroyed by the decision of a bad referee in term of atmosphere and players' performance.

    We all know that the performance of players is important to a high level match but don't forget it's also important to the one who is judging the match.

    Best wishes,
    KK




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear KK,
      I couldn't agree more. Refereeing is a critical part of the game, it can make or break it. Also I never under-estimate how difficult a job it is and we should respect the people who give up their time and are courageous enough to do it day in day out. In some countries referees are full time professionals and ultimately that is what I would like to see here. I think that would help with fitness levels and consistency of decision-making. In the near future we will be employing a Referees Manager who will be responsible for the training, development and evaluation of referees. I am sure this will make a difference. Please keep observing and giving me your feedback. Mark

      Delete
    2. Dear Mark,

      Thanks for your reply. Your plan is what we want to see. Hope we can have a sound, professional refereeing system in the near future so as to escalate the football standard of HK. Eventually make more football fans return to the stadium.

      Regards,
      KK

      Delete
  10. Dear Mark.

    It's great to read about your plans to develop and improve the HK football standards and also focusing on youth development.
    I just would like to know, if possible, the plans for futsal as it would help a lot the young players. As you know, the best players in the world started on futsal courts and I - as a futsal player and coach - would be delighted on helping the next generation.
    Good luck and wish you all the best.

    Bruno Cannavan

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bruno,
    Futsal is indeed a priority for us. I have just come back from a conference in Japan where Futsal is big and has contributed to their development. You only need to look at places like Spain and Brazil to see how important it is. Futsal is especially important in a place where Hong Kong where space is at a premium and where the development of close ball skills is impoprtant to the style of play. We are entering mens and womens team in the Asian Indoor Games in June and we will be employing a Futsal Manager in the near future.
    Regards
    Mark

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mark,

    Thanks for replying.

    Totally agree with you. I am from Brazil and usually we play only futsal from 5 to 13 years old. Sometimes is the only option that we have as the cities are growing massive (I am from Sao Paulo) and open spaces are not really available anymore.
    But futsal should be mandatory for the kids initiation on football. Full of benefits.

    Thanks again.

    Bruno Cannavan

    ReplyDelete