HKFA Premier League 香港職業聯賽

HKFA Premier League

One of the key recommendations of Project Phoenix was the establishment of a fully professional league based on a club licence system. The rationale for this was quite clear. Compared to the past, the standard and popularity of the 1^st Division has slumped to unacceptable levels. For a number of reasons we have entered a seemingly endless downward spiral of;

• Lowering standard of players and quality on the pitch leading to…

• Fewer spectators…..resulting in…..

• Less commercial (sponsor and TV interest)…. which in turn….

• Means less money for the Clubs….and therefore…..

• Reducing salaries for the players…. And so the spiral starts again.

The main problem is the lack of money in the sport which means that Clubs cannot invest in players, coaches and the other important things that Clubs need like Governance, management, marketing, administrative support etc. In Hong Kong Clubs don’t own their own facilities for playing and training and so (as well as the playing surface being poor due to overuse), they are denied vital secondary spend opportunities such as advertising, retail, food and beverage etc. The lack of a dedicated ground also means that Clubs (other than District teams) have no real affinity with a local community and therefore no fan base.

 

All of this has coincided with the ability to watch foreign matches on the television which has compounded the situation.

The current 1^st Division is comprised of 12 Clubs and these are all very different. Some are commercial entities, some are part of wider Sports Associations and some are District-based. Some are managed very professionally and others less so. Indeed it would not be unreasonable or inaccurate to describe some as semi-professional ‘teams’, rather than fully professional ‘Clubs’.

We have to be honest and say that the public perception of the HKFA football leagues is not great. There is a commonly held view that the sport is run by the ‘bosses’ and that players and coaches are not afforded the respect they are due. In the past there have been match-fixing incidents which have further damaged the reputation of the sport locally.

Whether the perception is true or not is hardly the issue. The point is that for many, the top tier of the sport is tarnished to some extent and this is not attractive to either fans or prospective sponsors and supporters. The number of active spectators is embarrassingly low for a place the size of Hong Kong. Another important issue is that football does not offer an attractive enough career for an aspiring young footballer.

For all of the above reasons the situation must change. The top tier of football in Hong Kong should be the lifeblood of the sport. It should be sufficiently attractive to entice the best players and coaches who in turn will provide players for the Hong Kong representative teams. International success will encourage more young people into the sport as well as creating ‘local heroes’ for the domestic league thus drawing back the crowds. It is time to unwind the downward spiral and turn it into a virtuous circle.

It is acknowledged that this will not be easy, particularly for the Clubs themselves. The Premier League has to be the vehicle to lead that change. The HKFA is taking the bold step of linking participation in the new league to the attainment of a ‘licence’. The criteria for getting a licence must be carefully positioned. The targets should be stretching so that Clubs have to work on improvements to get a licence but not so strict that they require unrealistic levels of investment or workload. This is a difficult balance to get right especially in Hong Kong where the degree of sophistication of the Clubs varies so widely.

Initially the HKFA wanted to set the ‘licence benchmarks’ at the level required for Clubs to enter the AFC Champions League. However, on reflection this threshold was deemed to be too high for some our Clubs to reach, at least initially. Therefore there will be two levels of licence. Tier One is the AFC Champions League Club Licence Regulations. Clubs wishing to participate in this competition will need to attain this level. Tier Two will be the Hong Kong Premier League Club Licence Regulations. The criteria are the same for both licences but the thresholds and targets within them are different, with the Hong Kong Licence being easier to achieve. Clubs will be able to decide which level to apply for depending on their ambitions and resources. However any Club wishing to participate in the Hong Kong Premier League will need to obtain the Tier Two Hong Kong Premier League licence – that is a prerequisite.

The regulations set minimum standards (criteria) in a number of areas including:

• Sporting Merit

• Personnel and Administration

• Facilities (infrastructure)*

• Legal

• Financial

*Clubs are not responsible for this area because they don’t own the grounds. This will be a Government responsibility.

In adopting the two tier approach, the HKFA has listened to the concerns of Clubs and believes that it is not asking them to do anything other than would be expected of a professional football Club. For example, a proper legal constitution, financial transparency, qualified coaches, bona fide player contracts etc are all basic requirements that the League, fans, sponsors etc would expect to be already in place.

The HKFA wants to work in partnership with the Clubs in establishing the League and will be there to provide help, advice, template documents etc between now and when the Licence application are due to be submitted in May 2014.

Applications will be independently and objectively evaluated and there will be an appeals process.

Twelve Licences will be available for the 2014/15 season. First refusal will go to the top 11 finishing teams in the current 1^st Division and the winners of the current Division 2.

It is important to note that eligibility to apply for a Licence does not automatically guarantee entry into the Premier League. Clubs will need to pass the application process. Whilst it is hoped that all twelve teams will apply and be successful, we are not going to worry unduly if some Clubs don’t want to participate or fail to meet the standard. We will start the Premier League with less teams if necessary because we only want professional, committed and ambitious Clubs to play in our top tier of football.

I do not believe that the criteria for entry are too onerous but it is inevitable that Clubs will need to invest some time and money in obtaining a Licence. We will do our utmost to secure additional resources that can be used to help the Clubs to ‘gear up’. We will also expect them to find the additional resources required. At the end of the day it is the Clubs that will ultimately benefit if the League is successful by attracting more money from gate receipts, sponsorship, merchandising, prize money etc.

If the new Premier League is established as a sustainable entity, it is the intention of the HKFA to ultimately set up the League as an autonomous body. Under such an arrangement the Clubs would be responsible for match-day organization and through a League Committee be more involved with setting the League Rules etc. We believe that this is what the Clubs want and the HKFA is happy to facilitate that. However the Premier League must be established first and prove that is sustainable and capable of self-regulation and management.

I sincerely hope that the Clubs will view the Premier League as a positive catalyst for change. I repeat, there is nothing in the criteria that a professional club should not already be doing. The criteria are attached so you can see for yourself.

The next few months are critical for the future of the Professional game in Hong Kong.

Read more about AFC Club Licensing Regulations

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香港職業聯賽

在「鳳凰計劃」其中一項重要建議方案，是以球會牌照制度為根本來成立一個全面性的職業聯賽，背後原因可謂十分清晰的。與昔日相比，本地甲組聯賽的競賽水平及球迷人數已跌落至無法接受的程度，究其原因，似乎我們正逐步墮入永無止境的深淵中：

• 參賽球員水準以及場地質素的下降導致．．．

• 愈來愈少的入場觀眾．．．引致．．．.

• 缺乏商業因素 (贊助商及電視傳播收益) ．．．帶來．．．

• 球會營運資金貧乏．．．結果．．．

• 球員薪金收入減少．．．惡性循環再次啟動

在運動事業中缺乏財政投入是一大難題，意即球會無法向球員、教練及其他重要事項，如球會管治、管理、市場推廣及行政支援上投放更多資本。香港球會沒有屬於自己的場地設施作為比賽及訓練之用（由於比賽場地過度徵用，導致草地質素下降），同時亦不容許拓展他們的開源機會，例如招徠廣告、經營零售及餐飲業等。在失去專屬場地的前提下，球會（地區球隊除外）無法與所屬社區保持緊密連繫，結果無法凝聚更多球迷。

 

綜合上述的見解，我們唯一可做的，只能安坐家中觀看其他國家的頂級賽事。

目前本地甲組聯賽由十二支球會所組成，而他們的性質各異。有些球會屬於商業團體，有些是隸屬體育總會的分支，亦有些是地區球隊。有些球會具有專業的管理制度，有些則不然。事實上，在專業「球會」的範疇中，我們很難界定某些屬於半職業「球隊」。

坦白說，公眾對香港足球總會舉辦的足球聯賽印象並不是很好，他們普遍認為體育事業是由「老闆」一手包辦，而球員及教練們無法享受他們應得的尊重。而昔日球圈存在不少賽事操控的事件，進一步敗壞了本土賽事的名聲。

無論有關看法孰真孰假，都很難去斷定，但其中一個重點指出這項最高級別的賽事，在一定程度上已今非昔比，難以吸引球迷或贊助機構的青睞。在全港七百多萬的人海中，現時只有極少部分的忠心球迷默默隨時支持，而另一個重要因素是本地足壇無法為具天賦的青年球員提供誘人的出路選擇。

基於上述原因，情況必須儘快改善。本港最高級別的足球運動應該是體育事業中的生存命脈，它應該具備足夠條件招攬頂尖的球員及教練，從而為香港代表隊吸納新血。國際賽事的成功亦會鼓勵愈來愈多青年人加入其中，在本地聯賽塑造更多「香港球星」，自然吸引球迷回流。時至今日，必須撥亂反正，令一一切回復正軌。

上述所言，談何容易，尤其是球會本身。香港職業聯賽正如一輛轎車引領他們作出改革，而香港足球總會願意踏出重要一步，以頒發「牌照」與新聯賽掛鈎

，發牌準則必須審慎定位，大方向是球會可以根據要求作出改善以獲得牌照，但沒有硬性規定他們必須作出不合理的投資或增加龐大的工作量。以香港球壇而言，足總很難取得各方平衡，因為各球會所要求的準則亦大相徑庭。

足總原意是套用亞洲聯賽冠軍盃球會牌照的參賽標準作為釐定「牌照指標」的考量，但事實反映這項門檻太高，令不少球會難以達到此標準，特別在一開始的時候。因此，執行雙階制之球會牌照制度是必要的。第一級別的是亞洲聯賽冠軍盃球會牌照條例，球會必須明白要於將來參加亞洲聯賽冠軍盃，他們一定要取得更高級別之亞洲足協球會牌照。次一級別的香港職業聯賽球會牌照條例，兩類級別牌照的準則基本一致，惟獨參賽目標各異，而香港職業聯賽球會牌照屬於比較容易達標的牌照。球會可根據自己的目標及資源，以決定其申請意願。無論如何，要參加香港職業聯賽，球會必須先獲頒香港職業聯賽球會牌照，這是基本要求。

有關條例的最低指標（準則）涉及以下幾個重要範疇，包括：

• 體育功績

• 人事及行政

• 設施(基礎建設)*

• 法律

• 財務

*球會本身並不須履行這項準則，因為他們並不擁有自己的體育場地，這屬於香港特區政府的責任。

在執行這雙階制度時，香港足球總會經已聆聽有關球會的訴求，亦明白不會強制要求他們做出超越一間專業球會的事情，舉個例，一個合理的法律條文、健全及透明的財政狀況、聘用合資格的教練、真實的球員合約等等，這些都是聯賽、球迷以至贊助機構等的基本要求。

香港足球總會誠意與各大球會通力合作，共同為新聯賽而努力，由即日起至球會申請截止時間（二○一四年五月），我們會為各球會提供意見、幫助及各類文件範本等支援服務。

申請者將會獲得獨立及客觀的評審，同時亦提供上訴機制。

2014至15年度的十二間球會牌照已經準備就緒，包括本屆甲組聯賽的11支最高積分球隊與及乙組聯賽冠軍，將有資格加入新成立之香港職業聯賽。

事先聲明，申請牌照者並不代表能夠自動獲得參加全新職業聯賽的資格，球會必須通過申請程序。最理想的目標自然是全部十二間球會都能夠申請成功，但假若部分球會無意參加或申請失敗的話，足總亦不會放寬尺度，必要時可能會減少球隊獲准參加首屆聯賽的數量，以確保只有具誠信、專業及野心的球會才能參加最高級別的本地足球聯賽。

本人並不贊同有關申請準則過於煩瑣，但確信球會本身必須投放時間和金錢以獲得牌照，足總將盡最大努力以確保更多資源來幫助球會「升呢」，當然我們亦希望他們亦能尋求更多援助。有朝一日，球會將會從門票收益、贊助商、販賣商品、獎金中獲取最大回報。

如果全新的職業聯賽面世，香港足球總會打算賦予它作為一個自主的角色，球會將會肩責比賽日的管理工作，透過聯賽委員會更可參與制訂聯賽規例等事宜。

我們深信這是球會盼望已久的事情，而足總亦樂意這樣做。然而，我們必須先推出職業聯賽，以確保它能持之以恆，並具備自我管理及約束的能力。

本人誠意希望各大球會能夠視全新的職業聯賽作為重大改革的催化劑。我再三強調，這些牌照條例的準則並非一間專業球會無法辦到的事情，而這些準則亦經已向各大球會分別送達。

未來數月，將會踏入香港職業聯賽的關鍵時刻！

瀏覽更多有關亞洲聯賽冠軍盃球會牌照條例

Hong Kong V Uzbekistan 香港 對烏茲別克

Hong Kong V Uzbekistan

Last night our team was beaten 0:2 by Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup 2015 Group Stage match. This result means that we are third in the Group with one match remaining (away to Vietnam). Uzbekistan and UAE have qualified whilst we are now competing for the one place reserved for the best finishing third place team. It remains theoretically possible for us to qualify but it will require us to win in Vietnam and for the other teams currently sitting in third place in their groups to all lose. This outcome is unlikely, but we will never give up while there remains a chance. We have to believe in ourselves.

Whatever happens, we can be proud of our performance in this tournament. Uzbekistan is 55 in the FIFA rankings which is 93 places higher than Hong Kong. They are the 3^rd ranked team in Asia. Last night we held them at bay for 84 minutes, much of it with 10 men. Our team was competitive and every player gave 100%. It was probably the best I have seen them play and I have no complaints whatsoever. I am proud of the players, proud of the support team and proud of the Head Coach, he is a man of total integrity with a burning passion for Hong Kong football. As you can imagine, the mood in the dressing room after the match was very sombre; they were all devastated and felt they had let Hong Kong down. I told them to hold their heads up high. The fact is that Hong Kong has let them down. How can we expect them to compete against teams who have trained harder for longer with better facilities and more resources? The FIFA rankings don’t lie and if we want to improve we need to recognize that it will take time. It will also take a new approach. We need to create an environment, systems, support and facilities that provide opportunities for aspiring and talented footballers to practice for circa 10,000 hours between the ages of 5 and 18 (15 hours a week). They are doing less than half of that on average now. Until we reach that level, no one has the right to judge our players and coaches.

I was also proud of the other HKFA staff there last night from the Competitions and Marketing teams. They are often the unsung heroes because if they are doing their job properly everything goes smoothly and they hardly get noticed. There is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes both in terms of preparation and on the night. Last night was seamless and professional and credit to them.

I must say a special thanks to the fans. As ever a relatively small crowd made themselves sound and feel like a big one with a cacophony of noise and colour. They created a great atmosphere. I only wish more people would engage with what we are trying to do. The guys on the pitch deserve better and I can’t understand why there is such apparent apathy. The crowd last night was under 6,000 which is 0.07% of the population of Hong Kong. Hong Kong people are supposed to be passionate about football. What are the other 99.93% of the population doing? It was a nice evening, an important match, ticket prices are cheap and the stadium is very accessible. Can someone please explain to me what we need to do to draw a bigger crowd? Two complimentary VIP tickets for the next home game for the best suggestion!

Mark Sutcliffe 20^th November 2013

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香港 對烏茲別克

昨夜，我們的球隊在2015亞洲盃外圍賽小組賽事中，最終以0:2的戰果負於烏茲別克。這賽事意味著目前香港代表隊位居小組第三名兼尚餘一場賽事(作客越南)。烏茲別克及阿聯酋已經穩奪小組出線權，而我們則要努力爭取以小組最佳第三名的身份躋身決賽週。理論上我們仍有出線機會，但前提是我們必須擊敗越南之餘兼指望其他小組的第三名球隊全皆落敗，似乎機會十分渺茫，但只要機會尚存，我們仍然要拼盡全力爭勝，以證明自己的實力。

無論結果如何，我們應該為港隊在今次賽事中的表現值得驕傲，目前烏茲別克在國際足協排名中名列第五十五位，較香港高出九十三位之多，而且亦是亞洲區中第三強隊，昨晚香港代表隊以十人應戰的情況下，與對手周旋了八十四分鐘才告失守，足以證明每位球員已經付出了百分百的努力，與對手力拼到底。經此一役，我認為他們表現毫無挑剔，甚至是我見過最強的一支香港代表隊。我為球員們感到自豪、為教練團隊感到自豪、為主教練感到自豪，他是一位將全部感情投入至本地足球運動的熱血教練。你可以想像，在球賽結束後更衣室的氣氛充滿死寂，球員們不斷自責，認為有負於香港球迷所託。我向他們表示，大家應該昂頭挺胸，事實上香港本身將自己擊倒，我們如何期望他們可以與其他擁有優質設施及訓練有素的強隊一拼？國際足協的世界排名正好反映事實，如果我們想進一步增強實力，必須知道需要時間作出改變，以及嘗試採用新思維。我們需要做的是創建一個環境、系統、支援及設施，為具天賦的足球員提供一個訓練平台，讓他們可在五至十八歲之間完成一萬小時的訓練(一週約十五小時)。然而，目前平均球員連一半訓練量都未能達標。因此，當我們能達到此目標，沒有人再有權質疑我們的球員及教練。

我亦為昨夜辛勤工作、來自競賽部及市場推廣部的足總職員感到自豪，他們時常充當無名英雄，將球場上所發生的一切安排得井然有序，但所做的一切往往令人忽略，賽前準備的龐大工作量卻進行得完美無縫，專業的工作態度值得為他們送上掌聲。

我必須特別感謝在場的球迷，雖然昨夜球迷數量不多，卻能營造震耳欲聾的吶喊聲，為我們的主場增加熾熱的氣氛，我由衷希望愈來愈多市民能夠加入我們的行列，因為場上的戰士極需要你們的支持，亦令我難以明白為何市民如此漠視本地足球。昨夜入場人數不足六千人，只佔香港總人口的0.07%。據我所知，香港市民對足球運動充滿熱情，但昨夜其餘99.93%的市民又身在何方？一個月白風清的晚上、一場重要的賽事、入場門票廉宜及球場交通便捷，究竟誰有妙計良策能夠吸引更多球迷入場？最佳提議者將可獲下場主場賽事的貴賓券兩張！

薜基輔　 二○一三年十一月二十日

The Development of Footballers - Player Pathways 足球運動員的發展 – 球員之路

The Development of Footballers - Player Pathways

I am sometimes asked how a young aspiring footballer in Hong Kong can progress from being a beginner to a fulltime professional. Actually there is no short cut, even for the most talented players.

The conventional wisdom is that it takes around 10,000 hours of purposeful practice over say 15 years (equivalent to 13 hours a week) to develop a world-class footballer. For a number of reasons it is difficult to achieve that level in Hong Kong. That is why it is problematic for us to be competitive with other countries. Through Project Phoenix we are trying to implement change and simultaneously improve every aspect of football development to give all players the best chance of success. We must ensure that the systems, structures, facilities and resources are put in place to allow footballers to practice longer, harder and smarter. We need both quantity and quality of opportunity for training and competition. There are undoubtedly a lot of talented footballers in Hong Kong. Unfortunately talent alone is not enough; it needs to be blended with opportunity and relentless hard work. So aspiring footballers must be dedicated as well as talented.

Our new Strategic Plan Aiming High – Together has been written to make it as easy as possible to develop footballers. We are introducing a systematic and coordinated player development continuum where every footballer is given the chance to participate and progress to their level of competence and where the most talented footballers within each age group are identified at an early age and given more and better quality training and conditioning. Aspiring footballers should be able to negotiate seamlessly along this continuum and the pathways must be well sign-posted and accessible. This new system is illustrated in the diagram below.

The Football Development Continuum (Pyramid and Pathways) in Summary

Children need to be introduced to physical activity and basic ball skills at a very young age. This will need to be done by parents, helpers, kindergartens and nursery schools. In some cases children will attend football classes when they are toddlers. The HKFA does not envisage getting directly involved with children at this age but will encourage early years participation and provide information on how and when to introduce basic skills.

Initially players will be introduced to ‘grassroots’ football (age 6 to 12) either through a HKFA programme, an amateur club, the schools system or a Commercial Soccer School. Their progress through the grassroots stage must be monitored. They must be given every opportunity to develop their natural talent. Once they are 13 the children interested in football should be able to continue to participate through HKFA Youth Development programmes but also at a commercial soccer scheme, amateur club or though the school sport programme. Those children involved in HKFA programmes will join District training programmes/leagues or be talent spotted by one of the professional Clubs. If their talent and ambition is confirmed by a qualified coach, there should be pathways to the next level so that their potential can be developed. This would mean attending additional training sessions at one of six HKFA Regional Centres of Excellence. The children that are not of the requisite quality should still receive expert training at the District level in recognition that some children are ‘late developers’.

A major pathway particularly for talented players will be for them to join a professional Club that has an accredited Academy but it is recognized that many of the Clubs will take some time to develop these Academies. In view of this and until the Club Academy system is fully developed, the HKFA has established centralized Academies for the most talented players. These players will therefore receive additional and higher level coaching in age group squads.

After the age of 17 or 18 Players will either be ‘signed on’ by a Professional Club, where they will be eligible to play for one of the Hong Kong senior teams e.g. U20. If they are not good enough to play professional and representative football then there should be pathways to amateur football, coaching, refereeing or football administration. Retaining people in the sport is important regardless of playing ability.

It is the aim of the HKFA to ‘scout’ talented players that possess the hallmarks of a professional player (technique, tactical awareness, intelligence, physical conditioning and mental strength) and ensure that the pathways and systems are available to nurture that talent and propel them to success.

‘Game Changers’

The new HKFA Strategic Plan, Aiming High – Together has been written to focus on the major changes that will make a difference to football in Hong Kong. It is deliberately ‘player-centric’ and in essence it is all about player development through a systematic approach. There are some fundamentals that need to change. These are summarized below:

Football Development

• Hong Kong Style of Play and National Curriculum: Devising, adopting and implementing the Hong Kong ‘shape and style’ of play consistently and comprehensively across Hong Kong will result in better player development. This should be articulated in a National Curriculum so everyone knows what needs to be done, why and how. The curriculum will cover all aspects of football development from the grassroots up to the elite level and include modules on men’s and boy’s, women’s and girl’s football and futsal.

• Integrated Player Pathways: As mentioned above, there should be a structured and systematic progression from beginner to elite international footballer. Pathways and progressions should be clearly ‘sign-posted’ so that every player has equal opportunity to reach their potential. The HKFA should have an overview of all football development activity in Hong Kong (not just its own activities and programmes) to facilitate effective talent identification.

• Grassroots Football: It is imperative that effective coaching of footballers starts as soon as possible. The HKFA and other providers should adopt a small-sided games approach from the age of 6. Techniques, skills and game awareness should be taught in a fun, safe and progressive way.

• Youth Development: From the age of 13 children should progress to play 11 v 11. Again the emphasis should be on player development rather than ‘win at all cost’. Good playing habits should be reinforced and between 13 and 18 time on the pitch should be maximised to give the players as much opportunity to hit 10,000 hours by the time they are 18. The pillars of development (technique, tactics, conditioning and mental strength) should be developed in a holistic way.

• Talent Identification: Better players should be selected for additional training and coaching during their formative years whether this be in a Regional Centre of Excellence, Club Academy or HKFA ‘high performance’ squad. These ‘stars of the future’ should be given every assistance and should play against other talented players based on the ‘best v the best’ philosophy. Their performance should be constantly monitored to ensure that they continue to improve.

• High Performance: Hong Kong must develop effective systems for and an engrained culture of high performance football. Once elite players are in the system they must be given every opportunity to become full time professional footballers if that is what they want. This means sports science and medical support, analysis and evaluation and the best coaching available. Top quality competition must be arranged as well.

• Professional Football: Football must become a worthwhile career option. The top tier of football in Hong Kong must become more economically viable if it is to encourage young people to aspire to become fulltime. This means raising the standard of play on the pitch so more people watch and more commercial revenue is generated. This will provide the resources to make playing football more lucrative.

• Player Education and Welfare: A way must be found to make sure that academic achievement and football prowess are not mutually exclusive. This will mean schemes to link Education with Football Development through academies, scholarships, bursaries etc and on-going vocational education of footballers to give them second-career opportunities. A further safety net for footballers could be provided through a Professional Footballers Association that would be responsible for the welfare of players if they are injured or in dispute with their Clubs.

• Mindset: As a generalization, at the moment youth coaches are more concerned with winning than player development. Attitudes will need to change.

• Inclusivity: All of the football stakeholders in Hong Kong should be encouraged to ‘buy-into’ this strategy including adopting the Hong Kong playing style and National Curriculum, the grassroots small-sided games approach and player development systems and pathways. No child should be disadvantaged or slip through the net.

This new approach to football development must be underpinned by other strategic considerations. These are summarized below.

Coaching and Coach Education

It is impossible to produce good footballers without good coaches. The HKFA intends to train more coaches to a higher level and maintain their knowledge through regular re-training. The quality of coaching sessions needs to be constantly evaluated. It is critical that our coach education syllabus reflects the Hong Kong playing style and National Curriculum. The level and competence of coaches should be commensurate with the level of football being played. Minimum standards will be set so for example, those involved in coaching high performance football will have an ‘A’ Licence as a prerequisite.

Refereeing and Officials

Similarly, the standard of refereeing must reflect the standard of football. Additional referees will be identified and trained to the requisite standard. Referees will be monitored and assessed continuously to ensure on-going improvement.

Football Facilities

Perhaps the biggest problem with football in Hong Kong is the inadequate supply of good quality football facilities. This is a difficult problem to solve but there is a need to re-assess priorities and the current quota system. The strategic plan suggests a hierarchy of facilities from the grassroots through to the professional Clubs through to the elite international level. Again minimum standards are set on a District, Regional and national level. At the top of the hierarchy is the provision of a Hong Kong Football Training Centre. This long overdue facility is now critical to the development of football.

Integrity and Equality

It is important that football is ‘clean’ and seen to be ‘clean’. This means being transparent in terms of governance and ensuring that all football stakeholders uphold the highest standards of personal, management and financial probity. Systems will be put in place to monitor match-manipulation and there will be a zero-tolerance adopted to those that fail to comply with a new code of conduct. The HKFA will abide by the principles contained in Article 3 of the FIFA Regulations on equal opportunities and anti-discrimination.

Partnerships

The Hong Kong Football Association as the Governing Body for football in Hong Kong and the FIFA Member Association must lead the development of football in Hong Kong. It is recognized however that it can’t do everything itself. The title of the new Strategic Plan, Aiming High – Together reflects the fact that many stakeholders and partners must buy-into the plan and work collaboratively in its adoption and execution.

Resources

The delivery of the recommendations contained within the strategic plan will require additional resources especially money. Public sector grants and charitable donations will need to ‘pump prime’ the work of the HKFA and ensure that the organization remains financially sustainable. It will take time before this financial catalyst results in more commercial revenue streams from gate receipts, broadcasting and sponsorship. Football contributes significantly to the health and well-being of Hong Kong at the individual, community and societal level.

If all of these ‘game-changers’ are addressed in the next few years it should be much easier for young players to identify the pathway to becoming a professional footballer as well as much for rewarding for those that eventually make the grade.

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足球運動員的發展 – 球員之路

我時常被問及有關本地青年足球運動員的問題，如何將一位充滿熱誠的初學者逐步提升至職業足球員。事實上，包括天才橫溢的球員在內，都沒有任何捷徑可尋。

傳統想法指出只要接受大約10,000小時的目標性訓練，大約歷時15年時間(平均一星期13小時)便可成就球員發展成為世界級球星，然而多項理據表明香港人難以達成此項指標，這亦增加了與其他國家競爭的難度。通過「鳳凰計劃」，我們嘗試作出多項改變，並銳意改善在足球發展方面的多個領域，讓所有球員有更多機會取得成功。我們必須確保系統、基建、設施及資源放在正確的位置上，以容許足球員接受長期、刻苦且具成效的訓練，尤其需要獲得質與量並存的訓練及比賽機會。毫無疑問，香港存在不少具天賦能力的球員，然而，單談天賦是不夠的，必須要求無間斷的訓練及賦予足夠的機會，這樣，擁有滿腔熱誠的天賦球員才能夠予以肯定。

足總最近推出的策略計劃—《力爭上游—萬眾一心》(中文暫譯)在發展足球員方面詳列得簡單直接，我們將引進一套有系統及關連的球員發展模式，為每位足球員提供機會去參與及提升其參賽水平，並在每個年齡組別中盡早尋找一些具天賦能力的球員，為他們提供更多更好的高水平訓練及護理。在此模式的協助下，我們便可無間斷地與這些球員相互溝通，令他們的成長之路變得寬廣及觸手可及，新系統的架構如下圖所示：

球員發展模式 (金字塔及出路)大綱

小朋友在早期必須先被引導參加體能活動及基本足球技巧訓練，在其父母、助理員、幼稚園、護理學前教育的幫助下完成，在個別情況下幼童在1至3歲時或會參加足球課程。足總不會正面接觸幼兒，但會鼓勵這些小朋友在成長早期參與及接受正統的足球基本知識。

青少年球員(6至12歲)將可透過足總舉辦的訓練計劃、業餘團體、學校活動或商業足球學校，加入「草根」足球行列。在這階段中，主辦單位將會監察他們的成長進度，並讓他們有機會去發展他們的足球天賦。青少年步入13歲時，若他們渴望發展其足球興趣，可以繼續參加足總舉辦的青少年足球訓練計劃，當然亦可參與一些商業足球項目、業餘團體或學校舉辦的體育活動。參加足總舉辦的課程，這些學員將會加入地區訓練計劃/聯賽，甚至可能加入其中一間職業球會。如果他們的天賦獲得合資格的教練予以肯定，他們便可晉身至另一階段以繼續發展其潛能，換言之，他們可以參與足總其中一區的(共有6區)的額外地域訓練課程，若青少年球員的質素未達標，他們仍可繼續參與地區的專業訓練，因為某些球員發展會較為「遲熟」。

一些具天賦足球員的主流路徑，便會加入擁有青年足球訓練的職業球會中，但必須承認目前不少球會仍在努力建立其青年軍隊伍，因此待他們的足球青年軍成熟發展後，足總將會從各支球會匯聚最具天賦的球員來訓練，他們將會於不同年齡組別接受更多及更高水平的訓練。

在17或18歲時，部分球員或會與職業球會簽約，這樣他們便有機會加入香港青年代表隊(如U20)。假若他們能力不足以參加職業足球，他們可選擇參加業餘球會，或可從事教練、裁判或足球管理的工作。不論球員的能力如何，留住更多人於運動圈內是非常重要的。

足總的主要目的是「搜尋」具天賦的球員，讓他們得以躋身成為專業足球員(技術、戰術認知、智慧、體能狀態及精神面貌)，確保他們的天賦不會被埋沒，讓其前途一片光明。

「賽事改變者」

足總最近推出的策略計劃—《力爭上游—萬眾一心》(中文暫譯)作出多項主要改革，讓香港足球事業改頭換面。計劃著重「以球員為主導」並透過有系統的方法全面培育球員的多元發展。以下是一些項目需要作出改變：

足球發展

港隊足球風格及課程指引：設計、採用及實行屬於香港的一套比賽風格，持續 及廣泛地加以推廣，將有利球員的發展。這種風格將與課程指引相互關連，即每個人都會充分明白應該如何及怎樣達成目標，該課程將會涵蓋足球發展的各個層面，包括草根足球以至精英程度，分別適用於男女組別的足球及五人足球上。

• 整合球員出路：上述提及，足總將要有一套完整的計劃，幫助足球愛好者逐步由初學者發展成為精英的國際級運動員，有關其級別及出路皆會「明確指示」，讓每位球員都在公平對等的機會下達成所求。足總將會全面檢視整個足球發展計劃(並不單指本會的活動及計劃)，令更多具天賦的球員能夠更有效地識別出來。

• 草根足球：由具有效能的足球培訓開始是當務之急，足總及其他足球授學團體應該為6歲或以後之小朋友提供小型比賽方式，在歡樂、安全及循序漸進的環境下提供技術及課堂知識。

• 青年發展：由13歲的青少年開始，應該傾向採用11對11人的比賽方式，再次強調一點，這是以球員發展為依歸，而並非講求單純的「勝利不惜代價」。一個良好的比賽習慣應該予以加強，而在13至18歲期間，在球場上進行訓練的次數亦應該盡量提高，讓球員在其18歲之年有足夠時間達成10,000小時的訓練量，並全面地發展各項才能(技術、戰術、體能及心理質素)。

• 識別天賦球員：在球員的成長之年，不論他身處在地域訓練課程、球會的青年軍或足總的「高效」陣容中，皆應該甄選能力較佳的球員去參加額外的訓練及指導。這些「明日之星」應該給予足夠的輔助，同時在「最強對最強」的理念下，他們可以與其他同級球員切磋球技，足總將會密切監察其表現以確保其成長進度。

• 高效能：香港必須徹底發展一套有效機制以取代目前根深蒂固的傳統文化。當精英球員被發掘出來，便應該給予足夠機會，幫助他們成為職業球員，因此運動科學、醫療支援、分析及評估以及優秀培訓必須全部到位，同時亦須安排頂級賽事，讓他們加以磨練。

• 專業足球：從事足球工作將會成為值得晉身仕途的一個選擇。假若愈來愈多青年人投身足球事業，屬於頂尖的本地足球活動將會變得更有商業價值，這意味著球賽的水平提升，吸引更多觀眾入場，從而增加商業利益，變相提供更多資源投入其中，因果循環下自然增加更多經驗效益。

• 球員教育和福利：必須尋求方法以確保學業成就及球壇成績不會相互抵觸，即該足球發展計劃必須與教育掛鈎，透過諸如教學、獎學金、助學金及持續職業教育等方式，協助足球運動員獲得第二職業的選擇，同時亦能透過職業足球員工會為球員提供保護網，若他們與球會之間產生矛盾或受傷，工會有責任為球員謀求福利。

• 思維：一般情況下，青年教練只關心比賽勝負而忽略了球員發展，這種心態必須加以改變。

• 相關人士：所有涉及足球業界的本港人士都應該一致採用這套方案，包括屬於香港本身的比賽風格及課程指引、在草根足球上選用小型比賽方式以及球員發展機制及出路，以確保具天賦的青少年獲得重視或不會被埋沒。.

這套嶄新的足球發展方案將會受到其他策略性考慮的支持，包括以下幾點：

教練及教練培訓

在沒有優秀的教練指導下，是無法孕育優秀的足球運動員。足總銳意訓練更多教練以助他們達致更高水平，同時透過定期培訓，讓他們汲取更多最新知識。教練培訓的課程質素必須獲得持續評估，而教練培訓課程大綱亦必須與香港比賽風格及課程指引相輔相承，而教練級別亦將與他們能夠參與球賽類型的級別掛鈎，從而釐定最低標準的界線，舉個例，如欲參與教授較高水平的比賽，該教練必須擁有A級牌照。

裁判及工作人員

同樣地，裁判員的執法水平充分反映球賽的水準，因此甄選更多的裁判員加入訓練陣營中，以保證他們達到認可的執法水平。足總將會密切監管及持續評估裁判員的質素，並作出持續改善。

足球設施

香港足球事業面對最大的難題，或許是嚴重缺乏具質素的足球設施。這個問題難以一時三刻解決，但我們必須重新評估目前配套機制的先後次序。該份策略計劃建議從草根足球、職業球會、以至代表隊級別的層面構建一個各項設施的級別指標，同樣為地區、地域及國家層面上設定一個最低標準，香港足球訓練中心的落成將會被視為最高級別的重要設施。這項延期長時的基建項目正是本地足球發展的關鍵元素。

廉潔及平等

在足球運動中，「清白」乃非常重要的一環。簡單而言，在球會管治上，所有足球業界人士必須在其個人、公司管理及財政上保持廉潔及高度透明，而有關制度並會高度監察任何關於操控比賽的情況，以零容忍的態度打擊任何違反專業操守。足總將會嚴格遵守國際足協條例Article 3有關平等機會及反種族歧視的指引。

合作夥伴

由於香港足球總會是本港認可管治足球的團體以及國際足協屬會成員，因此我們必須肩負起發展本地足球發展的重責。誠然，單靠本會一己之力無法達成所有方案，正如最新最近推出的策略計劃—《力爭上游—萬眾一心》(中文暫譯)的計劃名稱一樣，反映所有球圈人士及合作夥伴必須一致贊同計劃，群策群力，方可取得圓滿成功。

資源

在策略方案中提及多項建議都與資源息息相關，尤其在資金方面。公眾資助及慈善團體的捐贈有助足總工作得以順利展開，以免本會因財務緊絀而無法維持運作。在財政效益出現之前，這是需要經歷一段「陣痛期」才能從門票、電視播映權及商業贊助中獲利。足球事業將為香港帶來長足的效益，在個人、社會及國際層面上呈現健全的發展。

如果上述提及的「賽事改變者」皆可在未來數年內發生，那麼青年球員將可辨別自己的路徑來達成全職球員的夢想，讓他們振翅高飛，一展身手。

上述內容請以英文版本為準