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Shen Jinkang, Zhang Kangzhao, Li Huifen, Wong Chi-kwong and Liu Zhiheng - five elite coaches from cycling, wheelchair fencing, table tennis, wushu and badminton respectively - have nurtured a number of local athletes to win medals for Hong Kong in the international sporting arena over the years. As winners of the Coach of the Year Awards in 2010, they and many of their peers were well-recognised by the Hongkong Bank Foundation (HBF) Coaching Awards 2010. This annual coaching awards programme is now open for nominations for the year 2011 until 31 December 2011.

Organised by the Hong Kong Coaching Committee (HKCC) and funded by the HBF since 1993, the HBF Coaching Awards is the most prestigious Awards and the sole programme to recognise the achievements of coaches in Hong Kong on a territory-wide basis. It aims to pay tribute to the coaches for their dedication and contribution to athletes training and the overall sports development in the territory.

There are six categories of awards under the 2011 HBF Coaching Awards, including Coach of the Year Awards, Distinguished Services Award for Coaching, Coach Education Award, Best Team Sport Coach Award, Coaching Excellence Awards and Community Coach Recognition Awards.

All National Sports Associations (NSAs) affiliated to the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) are welcome to submit nominations for the six categories of awards. For the Community Coach Recognition Awards, nominations from NSAs, District Sports Associations, Community Sports Clubs and other sports organisations are accepted so as to honour coaches who have devoted to community sport development.

Nomination forms for the 2011 HBF Coaching Awards are available at all NSAs, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and the HKCC's website at www.hkcoaching.com. The Presentation Ceremony will be held in April 2012. Please also visit the website for Awards details and last year's recipients list.

The HKCC, a joint committee of the SF&OC and the HKSI, was established in 1991 with an aim to formulate and implement short-term and long-term strategies for the development of coach education and accreditation programmes in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Coach Education Programme (HKCEP) has been funded by the HBF with a total commitment of more than HK$26 million since 1992. Throughout the years, over 70,000 coaches have benefited from the training and recognition programmes of the HKCEP. There are three major components in the HKCEP, which include the HBF Coach Education Programme, the HBF School Coach Education Programme and the HBF Coach Recognition Programme comprising the HBF Coaching Awards.