DFMC Paper No. 32/2012 (for discussion on 26.7.2012)

Southern District Council District Facilities Management Committee

Proposal of the Football Association to use for the First Division Football Match

Purpose

This paper seeks Members’ views on the proposal of the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) to use Aberdeen Sports Ground of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) for the First Division matches starting from September this year. Members are invited to comment on the proposal.

Background

2. To promote local football development, the HKFA has been implementing the “Home and Away” scheme for First Division matches since the 2009-10 football season and a number of suitable sports grounds/grass pitches in different regions (including , Kowloon and the ) under the LCSD have been selected as home venues for First Division teams to stage football matches. With the support of the respective District Councils, the scheme has been operating smoothly and success has been achieved in bringing First Division teams to the community. Through promoting and developing football matches in the district level, the scheme helps to establish a relationship between professional football teams and the local community, thereby benefiting the development of the sport.

Venues Selected This Year

3. Since the Southern District Football Association will be promoted to the First Division in the 2012-13 football season, the HKFA has proposed to select Aberdeen Sports Ground as the home venue of the football club for First Division matches. The venues being selected this year include: (a) Aberdeen Sports Ground in Southern District; (b) Tuen Mun Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground in Tuen Mun District; (c) in Yuen Long District; (d) Sports Ground in ;

1 (e) Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground in Eastern District; (f) in Wan Chai District; (g) Stadium in Yau Tsim Mong District; and (h) Sham Shui Po Sports Ground in Sham Shui Po District.

Details of the Proposal

4. To meet the requirements of the HKFA, a venue which is up to standard for First Division matches has to be provided and necessary improvement works will be carried out and additional ancillary facilities will have to be provided at Aberdeen Sports Ground, including re-turfing part of the grass pitch to enhance the quality of the venue, providing additional changing and showering facilities for referees, installing fans and lighting under the covered spectator stand and providing various facilities such as a portable electronic scoreboard, ticket booths, team shelters and seating for photographers.

5. In order to meet the requirements of the professional matches on the quality of the turf, the LCSD is required to provide a venue up to standard for professional matches as required by the HKFA which include the provision of even turf surface. The LCSD will constantly monitor the actual utilisation of the venue and will adjust the number of sessions available for booking per month when necessary so as to ensure the quality of the turf. Except for the days of the football matches, during which the venue will be reserved for pre-match preparations, athletic meets and athletic training activities scheduled for other days will not be affected.

6. Furthermore, the HKFA will reduce the annual total number of bookings in other pitches for training activities and matches so that more opportunities will be available for organisations affected by the designation of Aberdeen Sports Ground as the home venue of First Division matches to book these pitches. During the period when Aberdeen Sports Ground is used for staging First Division matches, the organisations affected may book the soccer pitch adjacent to Aberdeen Sports Ground or the artificial turf pitch in Wong Chuk Hang Recreation Ground for holding activities.

Advice Sought

7. Members are invited to advise on the proposal.

Leisure and Cultural Services Department July 2012

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