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Over 140 accredited school coaches and PE teachers were awarded at The Hongkong Bank Foundation School Coach Accreditation Programme (SCAP) 10^th Anniversary Awards Presentation Ceremony, which was held successfully today (2 July) at the Hongkong International Trade & Exhibition Centre. To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the SCAP, the HKCC has joined hands with the Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation to present awards to school coaches and PE teachers of secondary and primary schools, who have made outstanding contribution to school sports development over the past 10 years. Two categories, namely, SCAP Accredited School Coach Awards and School Coach Awards (PE Teacher Category) were specially set up. The Hongkong Bank Foundation also created the Most Supportive School Awards, which were presented to the CCC Mong Wong Far Yok Memorial Primary School and the TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College to acknowledge their active participation in the SCAP with the highest participation of school teachers in the primary and secondary school categories respectively since its inception in 1998.

Being an important component of the Hong Kong Coach Education Programme (HKCEP), the SCAP is jointly offered by the Hong Kong Coaching Committee (HKCC) and National Sports Associations (NSAs) aiming at improving the coaching standard of teachers in primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong through formal training and accreditation. Funded by the Hongkong Bank Foundation, the programme has been widely supported by the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation (HKSSF), NSAs, school heads and teachers. Over the years, the HKCC has organised numerous courses on nine sporting events, including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Handball, Sports Aerobics, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball which have attracted over 1,400 teachers from 455 primary and 324 secondary schools to participate. Over 10,000 students have been benefited by the quality teaching of these accredited school coaches so far.

Officiating at today's ceremony were Professor Frank Fu, Chairman of the HKCC, Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Kenneth Ng, Head of Legal and Compliance of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Tony Lai, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (PE) of the Education Bureau and Silas Chiang, Secretary-General of Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Frank Fu said, "The SCAP provides school teachers with a chance to receive systematic and professional training and accreditation in sports coaching. Since its establishment in 1998, over 700 school teachers have obtained accreditation and are in full force in driving school sports development in the territory. In future, we will organise more courses of different sports aiming to have more school teachers to be trained as ‘accredited school coach' to meet the need of the new ‘3-3-4'education system in school sports development. I take this opportunity to thank the support from the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation. Special gratitude goes to The Hongkong Bank Foundation for their long-term financial support to the programme."

Kenneth Ng, Head of Legal and Compliance of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, said, "HSBC has been committed to supporting a variety of education initiatives, including sports at schools. We believe that sports play an important role in the all-round development of young people. School sports help students reduce their stress caused by academic studies and develop stronger physiques. Through training and competitions, students learn not only how to face challenges but also the importance of fair play and teamwork. By supporting the School Coach Accreditation Programme, HSBC hopes to promote sport culture and raise sport standards at schools."

To show appreciation to awarded school coaches and PE teachers of their diligence and contribution over the years, photos of students' training sessions were developed to a short video and broadcasted during the ceremony. In addition, two student representatives took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the teachers for their caring and coaching.

Joined by over 100 students, school heads and NSAs representatives', the officiating guests performed a ceremony to highlight the pivotal role of school coaches and PE teachers in fostering school sports development and as a gesture to encourage continuous commitment.

The HKCEP has been funded by the Hongkong Bank Foundation with a total commitment of more than HK$21 million since 1992. Throughout the years, over 20,000 coaches have been benefited from the training and recognition programmes in the Programme. Apart from the School Coach Accreditation Programme, other major components of HKCEP include Hongkong Bank Foundation Coach Accreditation Programme, Hongkong Bank Foundation Continuing Coach Education Programme and Hongkong Bank Foundation School Coach Continuing Education Programme, as well as Hongkong Bank Foundation Coaching Awards.