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Following the celebration of 10^thAnniversary of the Hongkong Bank Foundation School Coach Accreditation Programme (SCAP) in early July, the Programme continues with its quality training course in three sports from 16 to 30 July. A total of 98 primary and secondary school teachers who participated in the 2008/09 summer training course were recognised at a certificate presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Sports Institute today (30 July) for their dedication and commitment to school sports.

Organised by the Hong Kong Coaching Committee (HKCC), supported by the National Sports Associations (NSAs), and funded by the Hongkong Bank Foundation (HBF), the Hongkong Bank Foundation School Coach Accreditation Programme aims to enhance the coaching standard of teachers working with sports teams and other sports activities in primary and secondary schools, and to provide opportunities for them to obtain formal training and accreditation.

With three sports training courses in volleyball, badminton and tennis being organised this year, the nine-day course consisted of two modules – Sports General Theory as well as Sports Specific Theory and Practical. Participants who obtained an average attendance rate of 80% in each module were eligible for an attendance certificate. Those who passed the examinations in both modules would be further awarded a School Coach Education Programme Certificate after going through another 30 hours of practicum in their respective sports on a voluntary basis in their schools within one year.

Officiating at the ceremony, Professor Frank Fu, Chairman of the HKCC, Chau Yat-kwong, Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Badminton Association, Ricky Chan, Vice-chairman of Coaches Development Committee of the Hong Kong Tennis Association and Kwok Kin-chuen, Chairman of Coaches Committee of the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, congratulated the participants on completing the courses, and encouraged them to continue their pursuit of excellence in sports coaching.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Frank Fu said, "With the approaching of 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 Hong Kong East Asian Games, more back-up support is needed for the prosperous local sports development. The Hong Kong Coaching Committee will continue to train more school coaches to help nurture sports talents and improve standards of athletes. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hongkong Bank Foundation for their funding in coach training over the years. And this year's training courses would not be successful without the help from the Hong Kong Badminton Association Limited, the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China and the Hong Kong Tennis Association. Also, I appreciate all the principals and teachers for their support, which has enabled the continuous development of the programme."

The HBF has been supporting this Programme for 10 years. Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Sustainability Asia Pacific Region of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, said, "With the remarkable success achieved by Hong Kong athletes in Major Games in recent years and the various international sports games round the corner, a sporting culture has taken a strong root in schools and the wider community. We see a strong rise in the demand for school coaches. HSBC will continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Coaching Committee, National Sports Associations and schools to enhance the accreditation programme so as to train more qualified school coaches."

In addition to the attendance certificates, several Outstanding Awards were presented at the ceremony. Ho Ting-chit from Kwai Ming Wu Memorial School of the Precious Blood was awarded the Best in Sports General Theory Award while Chan Po-on from S.K.H. Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School (volleyball), Keung Chung-ho from Tsang Pik Shan Secondary School (badminton) and Tam Wai-yin from St. Catharine's School for Girls, Kwun Tong (tennis) earned the Best Performance Award. Four teachers who completed the Christmas Course held in last December were also presented with Outstanding Awards at the ceremony. They were Ho Kwan-hung from Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College (Best in Sports General Theory Award), Wan Wing-hung from Buddhist Hung Sean Chau Memorial College (Best in Sports General Theory Award), Lo Man-chuen from Kwun Tong Maryknoll College (Best Performance Award - badminton) and Yip Shu-kei from Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College (Best Performance Award - tennis).

Since its inception in 1998, the School Coach Accreditation Programme has offered training courses in nine different sports, including athletics, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, football, handball, table tennis, tennis and volleyball, and has received tremendous support from the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation, NSAs, principals and teachers. More than 700 teachers have been accredited through participating in the Programme, providing a strong impetus to local sports development.

The Hong Kong Coach Education Programme (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 HKCEP. 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.