香港欖球總會6月為「精英欖球計劃」轉型
[2021年1月18日，香港] 隨著「2019新型冠狀病毒」疫情大流行對財政和物流的影響日益加劇，香港欖球總會(欖總)將旗下的全職男子十五人欖球代表隊項目轉型至半全職形式，「精英十五人欖球計劃」將待現時職球員合約在2021年6月30日屆滿後結束。
此舉將重返欖總68年以來大部份時間推行的傳統半全職化模式，合符入選港隊資格的精英球員將在比賽期間獲得經濟資助。
因疫情大流行而對欖球日程產生前所未有的影響 (包括「國泰航空/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」連番延期、啟德體育城的商業不確定性、「環球極速欖球」（Global Rapid Rugby）停辦、「2023世界盃外圍賽」延期10個月和「亞太欖球錦標賽」(Asia Pacific Rugby Championship)最少延後至2023年 – 以及本地保就業計劃結束和計劃營運成本，令欖總不能持續地為此聘用30名全職球員。
欖總主席唐諾生(Patrick Donovan)表示:「當我們評估疫情大流行對欖球運動最新影響之際亦是全球欖球的不明朗時期。「新型冠狀病毒」疫情令舉辦『香港國際七人欖球賽』的財政壓力持續增加，在『環球極速欖球』停辦和『世界盃外圍賽』由2021年11月延期至2022年8月的雙重打擊下，令原本佔百分之95的收入雪上加霜。」
「這些非常情況令我們必須改變現行模式以保持長遠的財政可持續性。作出這艱難決定後，我們已盡快知會受影響的職球員，一起支持這轉型至其他機會。」
欖總會履行受影響的職球員合約，包括提供全額健康保險和強積金供款，並將會為這轉型提供廣泛和個人化的支援。
獲香港體育學院資助的男女子七人欖球項目和香港女子十五人欖球代表隊項目則不受影響。
於2016年推行的「精英十五人欖球計劃」目的是提升本地欖球水平和吸引冒起的欖球人才留港發展，並且達到大部份目標。
在全球體育界面對巨大財政壓力下而要繼續應付計劃的龐大支出，因而令欖總要為保障財政穩健而作出這艱難決定。欖總亦正評估日後的半職業化模式。
縱使「精英十五人欖球計劃」球員的比賽機會自2020年3月開始銳減，但在政府的保就業計劃支援下，欖總過去一年保留了計劃的全體職球員，並會在6月尾合約完結時開始轉型至半職業化。「精英十五人欖球計劃」的現行球員合約屆滿後將不會續約。
球員福利是「精英十五人欖球計劃」的主要宗旨並會貫徹始終，欖總會為球員提供個人化和專業職場支援，即時協助他們轉型至半職業化。
欖總接洽了人力資源公司Leathwaite提供職場規劃顧問服務，包括發展進修課程、面試培訓和於轉型期間與本地顧主交際機會。
唐諾生續說:「這並非輕率決定，球員福利向來備受重視，這是對『精英十五人欖球計劃』未來的一個非常困難和經歷了長期的討論。這是我們會堅決履行的事情。」
欖總會繼續派遣男女子代表隊參賽，繼續保持作為繼日本之後亞洲排名最高的隊伍的爭勝心，以及以晉身未來「世界盃」決賽週為目標。
經過漫長阻滯，一旦「亞洲欖球錦標賽」如期於5月上演，港隊將精銳盡出力圖衛冕。
今次轉型是繼去年4月欖總重組行政人員架構後的另一節流舉措，該次重組涉及所有部門進行裁員和減薪，希望在不穩定的營運環境下達至收支平衡。
(資料來源: Elite Step Asia/ HKRU)
McLaren Racing signs agreement granting option to join Formula E for Gen3
– McLaren Racing secures option to join ABB FIA Formula E World Championship grid for Gen3.
– McLaren Racing to evaluate the addition of an electric chapter to its motorsport heritage.
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FE410)
London, England (January 11, 2021) – Today McLaren Racing and Formula E announced they have signed an agreement granting McLaren Racing an option to enter the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship when Formula E’s Gen3 kicks off in Season 9. Part of McLaren Racing’s ongoing evaluation of potential new motorsport platforms, the agreement provides McLaren the option to enter the Championship as one of a maximum 12 entries for the 2022/23 season.
McLaren Racing has formalised its interest in joining Formula E’s team and manufacturer line-up from the new Gen3 era. Gen3 will take to the track from the 2022/23 season, bringing performance and efficiency advances including more powerful, lighter cars and faster charging as well as a set of technical and financial controls aimed at reinforcing the business case for Formula E’s ecosystem of teams and manufacturers.
McLaren Racing’s interest in Formula E is a validation of the series as the pinnacle of electric racing, both as a proving ground for the top racing teams in the world and as a test bed for the next generation of electric vehicles. McLaren Racing is one of the most successful operations in motorsport, enjoying a rich history of success in Formula 1 as well as IndyCar and Le Mans. McLaren Applied is Formula E’s exclusive Gen2 battery supplier under a four-season contract which concludes at the end of the 2021/22 season, after which McLaren Racing will evaluate the potential to deepen its involvement as a competitor in the electric championship.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will make its Season 7 debut in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia with two night races, at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on February 26 & 27.
(Information source & image credit: FIA Formula E World Championship)
傑志落實丹恩奴域加盟
【香港，2021年1月9日】 傑志今日正式宣佈，在韓職效力多年的前鋒丹恩奴域(Dejan Damjanovic)將轉往香港繼續其足球生涯，他早前已動筆簽約，落實加盟傑志，預計他將於本月尾至下月初抵港，隔離檢疫後再正式報到。
來自黑山的丹恩奴域自2007年登陸韓職以來，先後效力過仁川聯和FC首爾，並於2011-2013年三度奪得韓職神射手。及後他雖曾轉投中超兩季，效力江蘇舜天及北京國安，但之後重投FC首爾，再先後效力水原藍翼及FC大邱，在韓職合共射入接近200球，三度為FC首爾奪得聯賽冠軍寶座。他於亞冠盃亦有豐富的比賽經驗，2013年隨FC首爾打入決賽，最後不敵廣州恆大屈居亞軍，他個人歷來在亞冠盃攻入36球，在賽事歷史射手榜名列次席，僅落後第一位的李同國1球。
傑志足球總監朱志光對丹恩奴域加盟表示欣喜，認為他豐富的亞洲賽經驗是對球隊有極大幫助。今屆亞協盃和亞冠盃將於1月27日抽籤，相關賽制和賽期屆時亦將更明朗化。
(資料來源: 傑志(體育管理)有限公司)
Formula E seeks electric racing stars of the future with Formula E Accelerate esports competition
– New esports competition will see 24 rising stars compete in six events mentored by Formula E teams and drivers.
– Formula E will be translated into the virtual world as digital racers have to master energy management and Attack Mode for the first time.
– Minimum prize pool of €100,000 with winner receiving opportunity to drive a Formula E Gen2 car.
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FE409)
London, England (January 7, 2021) – Formula E today announced its new esports competition Formula E Accelerate, which builds on the success of last year’s ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge in support of UNICEF.
Over six events, 24 rising stars from the world of motorsport and esports will compete against one another in a simulated racing experience using rFactor2 software. Blending the real and virtual worlds, each competitor will score Formula E Accelerate points for a real-life Formula E team. The virtual racers will also receive expert tips, mentoring and other talent development opportunities from the team they are attached to.
Competitors will need to contend with new energy management and Attack Mode features during the online E-Prix. Prior to the competition, there will be online qualifying open to the public with the top-three quickest times on the Berlin Tempelhof E-Prix circuit* earning places on the Formula E Accelerate virtual grid.
Everyone who participates in all six races will receive a share of a minimum prize pool of €100,000 with the overall winner earning a test drive in a Formula E Gen2 car.
There will be two additional virtual races, each featuring 12 real-life Formula E drivers, one per racing team, during Round 4 and the Grand Final of Formula E Accelerate (schedule below*). Points from these races will be added to the overall team standings.
Formula E Accelerate schedule:
– Round 1: January 28
– Round 2: February 4
– Round 3: February 11
– Round 4: March 11
– Round 5: March 18
– Grand Final: March 25 (double points)
Each 25-minute Formula E Accelerate race will be broadcast in a 90-minute programme, featuring Formula E drivers, Team Principals and other special guests. All races will be live on Formula E social and streaming platforms.
Allianz will join the competition as a Premier Partner. ABB and DHL are also Official Partners of Formula E Accelerate.
Open qualifying for Formula E Accelerate is now open. To be in with a chance to secure a seat on the virtual grid, register your fastest lap time
here. Qualifying will close on January 13 at 23:59 (GMT).
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will make its Season Seven debut in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia with two night races, at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on February 26 & 27.
(Information source & image credit: FIA Formula E World Championship)