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Manchester United football legend Ronny Johnsen brings football inspiration back to Hong Kong despite the weather
09/05/2017

Manchester United football legend Ronny Johnsen was back in Hong Kong again one year after his last trip when he visited Bethel High School. This year, Ronny paid a visit to Pok Oi Hospital 80th Anniversary Tang Ying Hei College, one of the local secondary schools participating in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2016/2017. While here, he made meaningful connections with teachers and students through football, and shared with them the excitement and positive energy of the sport.

Located in Tseung Kwan O, Pok Oi Hospital 80th Anniversary Tang Ying Hei College was established in 1999, the same year that Manchester United won their three championship cups. Steven and Victor, two teachers from the school who participated in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme 2016/2017, are committed to promoting the development of teenagers through football training, not only to train up their football skills but also to build up team spirit and a positive outlook on life. As one of the heroes who contributed to Manchester United’s three championship cups, Ronny started planning for his new life as a coach after his retirement, and he is now a UEFA A-licensed coach. To Steven and Victor, this legendary football player with his wonderful achievements and skills is their most ideal mentor.

The weather was not pleasant on the training day, but it did not extinguish the passion of the teachers and students. Not only that, but all of the football players were fully devoted to the training.  A huge crowd of students were also attracted by the heroic bearing of Ronny and came to watch the training during their lunch hour. Steven and Victor, who had been familiar and well versed in the specific training approach of the Manchester United Soccer School after participating in the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme, first conducted football warm ups with the Tang Ying Hei College team. The warm ups aimed at preparing the students both physically and mentally for the upcoming intensive football training. The players took the warm up seriously to so as to prevent themselves from getting hurt during the training.

After the warm ups, Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer School Christopher O’Brien (OB) joined Ronny in hosting group competitions. The Tang Ying Hei College football team was not affected by the rain and spared no effort in the competition. OB and Ronny carefully observed the skills and performance details of every player and, during the post-match debriefing, evaluated their performance and provided them with constructive advice. Ronny also demonstrated the skills and tips of passing a ball. The suggestions from OB and Ronny greatly improved the performance and confidence of all players.

Before the training concluded, Ronny encouraged the students by reminding them to always strive for improvement and to establish trust, both of which are essential in helping them to reach their full potential. Dr. Chong Siu Man, Principal of Tang Ying Hei College, took the opportunity to commend Steven and Victor for being wonderful role models for the students and fine examples of a positive learning attitude. Dr. Chong hoped that the two coaches would pass on the torch to the students by sharing what they had learnt from the Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme and conveying the proper values, team spirit and social skills to teenagers through football.

The visit concluded with a group photo of Ronny with the teachers and students of Tang Ying Hei College. The students went home with not only a joyful football experience, but also inspirational teaching and encouraging messages from Ronny fresh in their minds.