香港欖球總會舉行週年大會
[2020年7月31日，香港] 香港欖球總會(欖總)昨日(7月30日)傍晚假銅鑼灣南華體育會舉行週年大會（Annual General Meeting）。10個董事局席位中半數有待選出新成員，令當晚的投票氣氛十分熱烈。
該5個席位中有兩位參選人在沒有競爭對手下而自動當選，包括賈東利(Tony Karton)出任董事（青少年），另一位是在2019年取代當選為主席的唐諾生（Patrick Donovan）而成為董事（財政）的何博禮（Nigel Hobler），他將繼續留任一年 。
其餘3個懸空席位由9位參選人競逐，亦是欖總在行政總裁麥偉彬（Robbie McRobbie）領導下的另一個正向指標。
麥偉彬表示：「能在這時完成週年大會和選出新一屆董事局成員十分重要。董事局有10名成員和有5個席位有待競逐，這數字偏高與董事（財政）懸空有一定關係。」
「在現時欖球和欖總普遍面對的挑戰下，今次仍有多人踴躍參選是樂見的驚喜。」
「外間或會猜測今次大家參選會謀定而後動，而所有熱心參選人會令本地欖球的未來更美好。今次選舉和每個懸空席位的競爭非常激烈， 花落誰家要到點票時才明朗化。」
該3個有多人競逐的席位亦敲定人選， 黎志豪 取代祈樂堯（John Carroll）成為董事（社區）、李怡苑 取代服務多年的林鄺蘭香成為兩位董事(常務)之一，而Ben Stobart取代戴高勳(Kevin Taylor)成為董事（培訓）。
他們將與主席唐諾生和現任董事賈東利、何博禮、董事（場地設施）蒲敬思(Chris Brooke) 、董事(法規及裁判) Peter Hudson、董事(常務I)區梓芹和董事(女子欖球)簡家琪 ，攜手協力助欖總克服運動界在新型冠狀病毒疫情下的複雜性。
所有當選董事的任期均為3年。
欖總主席唐諾生感謝一眾離任董事過去的貢獻並說:「我和整個欖球界都十分感謝戴高勳、林鄺蘭香和祈樂堯多年的貢獻。他們都在欖球界留下久遠的烙印，我期待他們繼續支持。 」
唐氏續說:「我恭賀各位新當選的董事局成員，他們令欖球界的面貌更多元化。縱使全球體壇現時面對挑戰，我有信心在董事局熱心支持下，以及一眾具能耐的行政人員通力合作下，欖球運動將獲得妥善照顧。」
(資料來源: Elite Step Asia/ HKRU)
MAHINDRA RACING HEAD TO BERLIN FOR SEASON SIX FINALE
/ Jérôme D’Ambrosio and Alex Lynn gear up for the Season Six Finale
/ The unique season-ending showdown will see six races take place in nine days to wrap up the 2019/20 season
/ Final two weeks to participate in Mahindra Racing’s season 6 Fanboost tree planting initiative
/ Team will race with a refreshed livery for the Berlin E-Prix
31 JULY 2020, BANBURY, UK – Mahindra Racing will embark on a challenge the likes of which has not been seen in motorsport before, when the ABB FIA Formula E Championship resumes its 2019/20 season next week, with the Season Six Finale; a festival that will see teams competing half the season’s races in just nine days. Competing in the six Berlin E-Prix races for the team will be Jérôme D’Ambrosio in the #64, with Alex Lynn alongside him making his debut for Mahindra Racing in the #94.
After a pause in the season of over five months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the team is delighted that the FIA and Formula E has found a safe way to resume racing and conclude the season, and is excited to return to the track that holds happy memories for the squad, with Felix Rosenqvist sealing its debut win there in 2017, and Nick Heidfeld standing beside him on the rostrum to make it a double podium. Two of the Season Six Finale races will take place on the traditional Berlin Tempelhof circuit, with the other four being held on two modified configurations of the track. To ensure Mahindra Racing is prepared under the current circumstances, official test and reserve driver Nick Heidfeld will be present in Berlin.
Ahead of the 2019/20 season, Mahindra Racing unveiled an initiative it is proud of; the commitment to plant a tree for every Fanboost vote received for its drivers throughout the campaign. When Covid-19 put a pause on real racing, the team extended the initiative to the Race At Home eSports competition and, through that, has added 100,000 trees to what will be the eventual tally. The Season Six Finale in Berlin will provide fans with the opportunity to keep on engaging with the initiative by voting for Jérôme and Alex in Fanboost and be a part of the forest that Mahindra Racing will be able to plant thanks to their participation. Voting is open now for the first race and more information can be found at the voting website: fanboost.fiaformulae.com
The Berlin E-Prix Season Six Finale will comprise six races, competed over nine days, as follows. All races begin at 19.04hrs local time.
• Wednesday 5 August
•Thursday 6 August
•Saturday 8 August
•Sunday 9 August
•Wednesday 12 August
•Thursday 13 August
(Source: Mahindra Racing)
MAHINDA RACING PARTNERS WITH TECHNOGYM TO LEAD EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
28 JULY 2020, BANBURY, UK – David Clarke, Team Manager of Mahindra Racing – a founding team of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship – explains why the team chose to partner with Technogym as an Official Supplier to engineer a pioneering solution for employee health and wellness at its new Banbury headquarters.
“Formula E is a cutting-edge sport, and Mahindra Racing has always been at the forefront of innovation,” explains David. “This extends to our entire philosophy – including how we approach our facilities.
“The sport is growing fast and we have repositioned the brand, bringing all our operations in house This is unusual for a Formula E team. As part of this change, we wanted to design an employee wellness solution that would set us apart in the industry.”
Mahinda Racing’s new 47,000 sq. ft headquarters makes use of an existing building (to minimise carbon footprint), offering a professional and functional space for all members of staff.
The team set out to find a wellness solutions partner that could design and kit out a high-end gym space with best-in-class equipment suitable for office staff, mechanics, and professional drivers.
“From the first conversation with Technogym, we knew we had found the right partner,” says David. “Their passion for wellness is evident, and they align with Mahinda Racing on important values like innovation, excellence, and sustainability.
“Everything we do with partners must be cost-effective and sustainable,” he adds. “Sustainability is critical to us, and we are pushing hard to be the first 3-star team in the paddock in the FIA Sustainability Accreditation programme.”
Mahinda Racing’s in-house fitness and wellness facilities demonstrate clear investment in the entire team, offering staff a unique benefit in a competitive employee market.
“Technogym’s wide range of equipment stood out to us,” explains David. “It is extremely high-tech but easy to use, and satisfies our rather complex business needs of offering something to every member of staff. Technogym were outstanding in their willingness to get involved, offer training, and come up with exciting solutions. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Mahindra Racing has invested in a broad and varied range of smart equipment including Skillmill, Skillbike and Skillrow offering the best in athletic performance training. These solutions are supported by Mywellness solutions Prescribe and Teambeats to offer digital programming and heart rate tracking.
“Formula E is a fast moving and intense environment,” says David. “We wanted to invest in a solution that would offer tangible value to current and future employees, tackling issues such as physical wellbeing, mental health, stress, and long-term health. The sport of Formula E is all about long-term sustainable solutions, and we want to echo that in how we invest in staff.”
Technogym has helped Mahindra Racing design and equip a large gym catering for 60 members of on-site and travelling staff members, including professional racing drivers. Staff members have the ability to utilise Mywellness, giving them access to valuable tracking and wellbeing data anytime, anywhere, delivering wellness whilst at the facility and travelling to track and race days. Mahindra Racing is now additionally working with Technogym to explore solutions to bring nutrition and hydration services to all staff members.
(Source: Mahindra Racing)
打入世界盃決賽週「始於足下」 傑志尖子計劃「如箭在弦」
【香港，2020年7月10日】 今天傑志宣佈為「香港2034」成立「傑志尖子計劃」。此計劃是全港首個為青少年球員提供的系統性足球及體能訓練計劃，透過長期及具規劃的職業化操練，務求培養出亞洲級甚至世界級球員，成為2034年香港隊的主力，爭取晉身世界盃決賽週。
傑志倡議的「香港2034」，為香港足球發展訂下了清晰藍圖，包括青訓規劃、成立超級青年聯賽等範疇的建議，亦已被採納成香港未來五年足球發展計劃的重點項目之一。傑志會一如既往，致力推動香港足球發展，並願意肩負更多培育年輕球員重任，繼續為香港足球出力。
「傑志尖子計劃」籌劃多時，承載著傑志對香港足球發展的承諾和盼望，雖然深知要培養一支具能力打入世界盃決賽週的香港隊絕不容易，但我們相信「有志者事竟成」。香港歷來不乏優秀青年球員，只欠有願景的青訓政策及規劃。改變是需要勇氣、能力和魄力，今年就先讓傑志行出第一步。
回顧過去，傑志由2010年開始與仁濟醫院董之英紀念中學合作推出「傑志計劃」（前稱「職業足球員培育計劃」），以「學業＋足球」平衡發展為理念，為學生在正規課堂外提供每週6小時專業現代化足球訓練，讓有潛質的學生盡展所長，向職業足球理想進發。 現時有超過20名港超在陣球員是董之英「傑志計劃」的畢業生，足證計劃方向正確。
憑藉與董之英中學在過去十年的合作經驗，於2020-2021學年展開的「傑志尖子計劃」可視之為「傑志計劃」的升級版。由新學年開始，「傑志尖子計劃」每年會讓全港所有中學生報名參與，而今屆會從中挑選近50名最具潛質的中一至中四青少年，提供每周三課（16:00-18:00）的全面職業化足球訓練，以強化年輕球員的基本功為主，打好技術基礎。預計此計劃將會在未來兩年擴展至涵蓋整個中學教育階段，為香港足球代表隊培育新力軍，以打入2034世界盃決賽週為終極目標。參與的精英球員可在所屬球會青年軍或區隊訓練和比賽以外，接受更多時數的足球訓練，達至相輔相成的效果，並以「10年10,000小時專業訓練」為指標。
「傑志尖子計劃」費用全免，由擁有豐富青訓經驗的傑志專業教練團隊任教，其中包括朱志光、梁志榮、金東進、裴鋕垣、羅拔圖、尹東憲和高文等等。除足球技術訓練外，此計劃亦會結合體能操練，所有註冊教練會按著學員年齡設計課程，逐步提升他們的體格至職業足球員水平，再配合註冊營養師為學員設定餐單，以培養飲食紀律，提升表現。整個計劃會以位於石門的「賽馬會傑志中心」作專屬訓練基地，除了全天候人造草球場，其醫學運動中心亦將於明年開幕，為青年球員提供專業運動醫學及營養學支援；加上傑志作後盾，為有志成為職業足球員的學員，提供制度化晉升階梯。
「傑志尖子計劃」以培訓未來香港隊和職業球員為目標，因此除能力以外，亦要求參加者有此志向及承擔。傑志期望這學業與足球並重的教育模式、能夠獲得家長支持。而傑志教練以及教育部職員亦會與學員就讀的學校保持良好溝通，互相配合，調節其課外活動時間安排，讓有潛質的年輕球員更容易踏上職業足球之路。
夢想從來不可能「一蹴而就」，所謂「千里之行始於足下」。「傑志尖子計劃」能夠為全港中學的精英足球員提供強化的基礎訓練，再配合其所屬球隊的比賽和訓練，相信只要持之以恆，今日此計劃中的U12、U13及U14的青年球員，14年後便會成為2034年香港足球代表隊的骨幹，在球場上為夢想而戰。
「傑志尖子計劃」已在近日進行招募，並將會於8月上旬舉行初選，隨即準備9月開始訓練。過去一個月，傑志已向多間中學、家長及學生廣納不同意見，務求讓此計劃達至盡善盡美。有意者可即日瀏覽傑志官方網站www.kitchee.com查閱有關詳情並作登記。計劃名額有限，額滿即止。
(資料來源: 傑志體育會)
香港排球總會推出「本地比賽優化計劃」
【2020年7月7日 – 香港】香港排球總會（下稱「本會」）推出「本地比賽優化計劃」（下稱「優化計劃」）。由本年七月起，本會將對現行三大賽事，包括「全港公開排球錦標賽」、「全港公開馬拉松排球賽」及「青少盃排球賽」進行一系列優化措施，務求全面提升香港排球比賽之賽事規格，促進本港排球發展。當中，「全港公開排球錦標賽」甲一組別將會優化成為「香港甲一組排球聯賽」，由賽事組織委員會專責管理。
本會由2018年開始全面檢視現行三大本地比賽之賽期、賽制及各項賽事安排，並以國際賽期、本地賽期、國際賽事規格及安排作為參考，制訂全面的「優化計劃」，內容包括更改賽事名稱、重新編排賽期、提升個別賽事之要求及提升比賽配備等。經過本會執行委員會詳細研究、向球隊及各持份者等進行公開咨詢，並收集及綜合所有建議後，本會執行委員會於去年十一月正式通過「優化計劃」，並決定由「香港排球錦標賽2020」開始全面執行。
「優化計劃」內容簡介
本會三大賽事將按以下時間表進行：
一至五月: 「香港排球聯賽」
七至八月: 「香港排球總會盃」、「香港青少年排球錦標賽」
七至十二月: 「香港排球錦標賽」
1. 「香港排球聯賽」
「全港公開排球錦標賽」將改為「香港排球聯賽」（下稱「聯賽」），仍是全港唯一設「升降班制度」之比賽，賽事仍保留單循環制度，並繼續以男女子甲一、甲二、乙、丙組和丙組資格賽分組。由2021年起，「香港甲一組排球聯賽」（下稱「甲一組聯賽」）將由組織委員會專責管理，全面提升賽事規格。「甲一組聯賽」將分為常規賽及總决賽，常規賽賽制跟以往「錦標賽」相同，而總决賽則按常規賽首四名成績進行三輪單循環比賽分出勝負。「甲一組聯賽」三天總决賽將安排於具規模場館舉行，並設「香港排球聯賽頒獎典禮」，加強可觀性，吸引更多觀眾及商業機構關注與支持本地最高水平之排球賽事。
2. 「香港排球錦標賽」、「香港排球總會盃」
「全港公開馬拉松排球賽」將由「香港排球錦標賽」及「香港排球總會盃」（簡稱「排總盃」）兩賽所取代。「排總盃」會由「聯賽」之甲一及甲二組的球隊參賽競逐，比賽採用初賽、複賽及決賽形式進行。「聯賽」排名會決定球隊於初賽組內的位置，每組各自進行單循環賽；複賽會以初賽成績編組，再進行單循環賽；決賽則以「盃、碟、碗、盾」來分組，進行五局三勝淘汰賽。新賽制下，甲組球隊將享更多比賽場數，而球隊即使在初賽中失利仍可角逐獎項，令競爭氣氛大增。
「香港排球錦標賽」賽事將分為首階段及次階段（決賽圈），首階段賽事由乙及丙組球隊角逐，而次階段則加入甲組球隊參賽。首階段比賽沿用舊有比賽制度，次階段（決賽圈）分五輪進行淘汰賽。
3. 「香港青少年排球錦標賽」
「青少盃排球賽」將改為「香港青少年排球錦標賽」，各組比賽名稱將以其組別命名，如「香港U23男子排球錦標賽」。賽事年齡組別亦將由四組增加至五組，包括U23、U20、U18、U16及U14。初賽分四組球隊，每組三隊形式進行單循環比賽；複賽沿用兩組單循環，再進行決賽分出勝負。優化後，賽事年齡組別劃分得更仔細，令每組球隊的實力更接近。
有關「優化計劃」或賽事消息，請留意香港排球總會網頁(http://www.vbahk.org.hk/) 及 Facebook專頁(https://www.facebook.com/vbahk.plus/)。
(資料來源: 香港排球總會)
Voxan Motors unveils the high-performance electric motorcycle Wattman
Monaco, 1 July 2020: The Wattman is the first high-performance electric motorcycle made by Voxan, specially designed for our latest world speed record project. In July 2021, the Voxan Wattman will attempt to set a new world speed record on the Salar de Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia. Riding this exceptional machine will be six-time motorcycle racing world champion Max Biaggi.
Voxan Motors, part of the Venturi Group, is proud to be partnered by global telecommunications innovators ROKiT Group. No strangers to speed and the power of electric mobility, the ROKiT Group are also title partners of Venturi’s Formula E Team, ROKiT Venturi Racing.
Commenting on the partnership, ROKiT Group Founder, Jonathan Kendrick, said: “When Venturi President Gildo Pastor showed us the Voxan Wattman and talked me through the world speed record attempt we were very impressed by his vision, ambition and the commitment of his team in creating the technology involved. To have our ROKiT red livery on such a unique piece of electric engineering reflects our ethos as a group of companies and is a real honour. Gildo is a true pioneer and we are delighted to partner with him and Voxan Motors on what we hope will be a highly successful and ground-breaking record attempt.”
(Source: The Voxan Motors Press Office, Venturi)