YHP Hong Kong

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Location

Hong Kong

Timing

2020-2023

The local context

In Hong Kong, the pressure to perform well in school in order to secure a job leads many students to prioritise academic and extra-curricular success over their own wellbeing. Schools find it challenging to manage these conflicting demands, resulting in both staff and students feeling under pressure and coping with physcial inactivity and mental health challenges.

Physical activity and mental health in adolescence help reduce risk factors that can lead to NCDs in later life1. However, a study published in 2022, by Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, indicated that only around 8% of school-aged children and youth fulfill the recommended Physical activity levels set by the World Health Organization2.

Our objectives

To help sport coaches to incorporate mental wellness into their training programmes and support young people in better managing their health through the platform of sport, specifically rugby, which holds a special place in the hearts of Hong Kong citizens given the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens tournament3.

Our programme

The programme has been developed to target both rugby coaches and players:

1. Educate rugby coaches on youth mental health issues and coping strategies, to enable them to provide relevant support to students. We aim to sustain the effect of the programme to the benefit of later cohorts of young rugby players.

2. Train students aged 12-16 to help them understand the importance of well-being and how to manage theirs' and their peers' health more effectively.

 

Our achievements

The Programme has delivered training courses to 30 rugby coaches and rugby training sessions to 772 students.

Our partners

KELY Support Group is a Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation that equips young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to support themselves and each other.

 

The Hong Kong Rugby Union Community Foundation aims to bring about positive change by tackling social issues around social inclusion, education and health within the Hong Kong community. 

References:

1. Centre for Health Protection (2023, January 12). Physical Activity. Non-Communicable Diseases and Healthy Living - Health Topics. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/25/8804.html

2. So, H.-K.; Chua, G.T.; Yip, K.-M.; Tung, K.T.S.;Wong, R.S.; Louie, L.H.T.; Tso,W.W.Y.;Wong, I.C.K.; Yam, J.C.; Kwan, M.Y.W.; et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on School-Aged Children’s Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Repeated Measures Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 10539. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710539

3. Hong Kong Rugby Union (2022). Hong Kong Sevens. Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. 3. Hong Kong Rugby Union (2022). Hong Kong Sevens. Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. https://hksevens.com/about-us/the-hong-kong-sevens