The Kitchee Academy is a football training academy for potential elite football players aged 6 to 22 in Hong Kong. The aims and objectives of the Academy are to develop students with exceptional abilities for professional leagues and representing Hong Kong.
The Academy aims to help potential elite players with on-field football technique training and off-pitch support. The Academy provides a platform for many to develop their interest in football while maintaining their academic studies. The key focus of the Academy is not on winning every trophy in youth competitions, but rather grooming talents systematically so that they will be better equipped if and when they become professional players.
The Kitchee Academy is the first and only Two-Star Elite Youth Academy in Hong Kong recognized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) seeking to play an integral role in providing elite football training for the city’s most talented youngsters from 6 to 18. We strive to develop and produce homegrown students with exceptional abilities to play football at the highest levels, including professionally in Hong Kong and abroad, as well as for Hong Kong, China Representative Teams.
To attract the best players and accelerate individual development for each Academy student, the Academy has established and strengthened its facilities and infrastructures, allowing talented prospects to thrive physically, socially, and academically prior to stepping into professional football. The CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee and the Kitchee Bistro are two of the significant substantial resources that were established to promote concepts of sports science and sport nutrition, so that coaching staff could tailor-make effective training programs for Academy students and provide them with professional medical support in various aspects.
The AFC Youth Panel assessors were satisfied with the significant efforts put in by the Academy to provide the students with the best facilities to ensure their developmental needs not only in terms of training are met but have also laid emphasis on their nutrition and well-being of their mental health. The Academy is also committed to continuously meeting all aspects of AFC’s identified performance categories such as staffing, player development plans, and philosophies, among other things, with the ambition of developing future First Team players and beyond.
Since its establishment in 2008, the Academy has been committed to nurturing future national team players for Hong Kong and expanding our collaboration with top clubs and experts in Europe to export players to play overseas. To ensure consistency and quality in our education, players are being trained with a standardized set of teaching materials developed with respect to the Club philosophies and current First Team tactics. By receiving training in a systematic and consistent way as they progress, players can smoothly transition between youth teams and eventually into the First Team. Regular trainings are also held for Academy coaches to learn about the latest trends in youth football development which could then be applied to the Academy’s operation.
The Academy adopts a player-centered approach and endeavors to ensure that the benefits of all students are well looked after. In order to do so, students from the same age group are divided into smaller teams, allowing them to spend more personal time with their coaches and receive 1-on-1 personal coaching. This allows the coaches a greater flexibility in adapting the teaching materials to the needs of the students under their supervision.
In addition, apart from regular internal matches, Academy teams compete in various local leagues and competitions to strengthen students’ match experience. The Academy also identifies suitable opportunities for students to play in overseas tournaments to enhance their exposure to diverse playing styles and competitive experience.
Many graduates from the Academy have successfully begun their professional football career. Players such as Law Tsz Chun, Cheng Chin Lung, Ngan Cheuk Pan, Sohgo Ichikawa, and Ho Chun Ting etc., have established themselves in the Kitchee First Team or other Premier League teams, where they shine in domestic and continental stages and represent Hong Kong in international competitions. Every season, over 350 youth players of various age groups receive their training at the Academy, working tirelessly to follow the footsteps of former graduates in pursuing their own football dream.
In our vision, the Academy provides training and support in the following areas –
1. Physicality
The physical development of students will be monitored through regular practice sessions and matches. Dietary recommendations and lessons are offered to students to ensure that their nutritional intake is sufficient for their growth. Regular physical training and dietary education will help them take care of their bodies and be physically prepared for a professional career.
2. Technicality
Students will be encouraged to feel comfortable when in control of the ball and will have the technical capacities to manoeuvre the ball as situations may require. They will be trained to be versatile on the pitch and be capable of playing in more than one position or role.
3. Tactic
Students will learn to be observant, develop a keen sense of awareness of the match direction and understand the role they play in a match. They will cultivate their football intelligence through training sessions and by watching match videos, in which, as a result, help them develop a good grasp of the flow of the game as well as the ability to make quick and correct decisions. It is expected that they will be able to read the game and be spontaneous in taking charge and performing.
4. Psychology
Students will learn from coaches and First Team players on building a strong mentality for professional football and be emotionally and mentally prepared for challenges that will come as part of football. They will learn to be confident in their abilities, be perseverant in demanding situations, and develop the ability to withstand pressure. They will cultivate the mental capacities needed to overcome difficulties and desire for success.
Throughout the whole talent development process, the Academy trains the students in 4 phases at the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre.
| Phase | Age Group | Training Time |
| Introduction Phase | U7 – U9 | 75 minutes; 2 or 3 trainings + 1 match |
| Foundation Phase | U10 – U13 | 90 minutes; 3 or 4 trainings + 1 match |
| Performance Phase | U14 – U16 | 90 minutes; 4 trainings + 1 match |
| Professional Phase | U18 – U22 | 90 minutes; 4 trainings + 1 match |
Talented youngsters would be selected into the Aspire Program where they would receive a well-rounded assessment of their individual development and help them advance in all relevant aspects. In addition, outstanding students would receive the opportunity to participate in youth internship programs where Yuen Chun Him spent the 2024/25 season with C.F. Amposta U19 in Spain.