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Having trained and accredited over 13,000 coaches through the Coach Accreditation Programme (CAP) since 1991, the Hong Kong Coaching Committee (HKCC) launched an "Accredited Coach Renewal Scheme" (ACRS) on 1 September 2008, with a view to enhancing the quality of coaches through encouraging them to actively participate in the continuing coach education activities. It also provides accredited coaches with a clear path in aspiration for higher skill levels as well as to promote the culture of continuing education in sports coaching.

Under the ACRS, all accredited coaches will be issued a "Coach Accreditation Card" together with a "Coach Logbook", with a validity of four years upon completion of the Sport-General Theory (Part A) Course. To maintain a valid "accreditation" status, accredited coaches are required to accumulate sufficient hours of continuing coach education activities within the four-year period in order to meet the renewal requirement. CAP coaches accredited before 1 September 2008 may apply for the new "Coach Accreditation Card" according to replacement schedule detailed in the HKCC website www.hkcoaching.com.

Professor Frank Fu, Chairman of the HKCC, said, "The 2009 East Asian Games will surely further boost sports development in Hong Kong. The HKCC plays an important role in helping coaches nurture more athletes and enhance their performance to achieve excellence in the international sporting arena. The ACRS promotes the culture of lifelong professional development in the sports coaching industry. Accredited coaches are encouraged to join the ACRS by taking part in continuing coach education activities, such as seminars and workshops, to keep abreast of the latest knowledge and maintain their quality."

Cheung Wai-chuen, coach from the Hong Kong Canoe Union, said, "I teach both junior and adult athletes. The ACRS encourages me to participate in different continuing coach education activities to enhance my knowledge and help improve my coaching technique." Coach Cheung will enroll in the Level 2 Sports-General Theory (Part A) Course of the CAP and wishes to apply the newly learned knowledge into his teaching. Lynette Cheung, an elite fencing athlete who has been serving the Hong Kong Fencing Association as a coach since 1994, said, "The knowledge of coaching theory changes constantly. I plan to spend the coming four years on enriching myself in Sports Science, Sports Coaching and Coaches Management in order to keep up with the latest coaching development which would definitely help me train athlete more effectively in the future."

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 benefited from the training and recognition programmes in the HKCEP. Apart from the Hongkong Bank Foundation Coach Accreditation Programme, other major components of the HKCEP include the Hongkong Bank Foundation School 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.

For further information of the Scheme, please visit the HKCC's website at www.hkcoaching.com, or call the hotline on 2681-6289.