HK DRAGONS FC 25/26 PLAYER / PARENT SEASON INFORMATION

CLUB PHILOSOPHY 

Our goal is crystal clear…We want to help players develop elite behaviours in terms of their performances & behaviours on and off the pitch. These are important and are learnt through positive actions, hard work and honesty.

MATCHES / TOURNAMENTS

There is no set formula for this and Dragons do not have an equal playing time rule. We believe that playing time is earned and a privilege, it’s not a right. Playing time will be decided on the day. The starting line-up will be chosen by the coach during the warmup once they see the players getting ready. If players are late, they probably won’t start… that wouldn’t be fair to those who arrived on time. 

Players who look awake, focused and prepare the best will most likely start the game. If everyone is looking sharp during the games and are doing the best they can, then naturally equal playing time will be close (while not exact). If any players aren’t working hard for the team or trying their best, then their playing time will be less than those who are working hard for themselves and the team. 

PLAYING POSITIONS / SUBSTITUTES

Football is a team sport, and the team comes first, above any individual player. If the coach asks someone to play in any position, then we fully expect them to do it to their best without any questions. 

Any players demanding to play a certain position or moaning about having to play in a specific position won’t play, they will stay as a substitute. When players are a substitute they should be focused on the game and assisting their teammates, communicating any appropriate instructions. Substitutes who are not focused on the game or are asking the coach when they are coming on, may have playing time affected. 

HKJFL FOOTBALL & TOURS

This is our core league in Hong Kong. As a founding member over twenty years ago, HK Dragons FC has entered teams every season in various age groups and ability levels. The league consists of Premiership and Championship divisions in each age group. Games are played Saturday mornings throughout the year with Kick Off times from 8am – 2pm city wide.

REGISTRATION

1.⁠ ⁠HKJFL registration is now open! Please start registering your child. All players must be registered to participate in the HKJFL. Download the HKJFL app and follow the instructions to register. The registration fee for the season is $400 per player.

2.⁠ ⁠In the 25/26 season, players who represent HK Dragons in the HKJFL will also be applicable to a SEASON FEE of $600 HKD (Non-refundable) payable to HK Dragons FC LTD upon registration to cover league entry, pitches, end of season awards and match day costs. 

PAYMENT DETAILS

HK Dragons FC Ltd

HSBC – 571-148-634-838

FPS – greg@dragons.hk

(Please remember to send a copy of the receipt for proof of payment to theoffice@dragons.hk)

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MATCHES

Just because your child is part of the club that doesn’t mean they will be automatically selected for all matches or tournaments. To be selected for any games, your child obviously has to be available to play on the day. As soon as we find out about any games, we’ll check everyone’s availability first before selecting players. For those kids who are available to play, they will need to show the coach they deserve to be selected for the upcoming game. 

Coaches will select players based on the following:

Players who attend all training sessions

Players who show 100% commitment and effort for themselves and the team and show a positive and committed attitude at training.

Players who show willingness to try difficult challenges & don’t shy away.

Players who show great focus on the coach & their teammates.

Players who put the team before themselves and will play in any position for the coach and their teammates.

Players who show the most improvement, technically, tactically and physically. If your child isn’t selected for an upcoming game it’s probably because they didn’t do all of the above, and the coach will be happy to explain this to you if you have any questions.

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS – INVITE ONLY

Periodically over the year we attend tournaments in Asia. These normally take place in October, November, December, February and June. In the 25/26 season we will be attending competitions at all age groups in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Saigon. Details of upcoming tournaments will be sent out to selected players on average a few months before the tournament date. Players selected for international tournaments must attend our ‘twice per week’ program in order to be eligible to attend.

TRAININGS

All Premiership players must train where possible a minimum of two days a week. If you can do more than two classes a week that’s even better.

If your child is going to miss any training due to sickness, injury or any other reason, please let the coaching staff know at the earliest convenience. We understand sickness & injuries happen and we can adjust our training plans if informed, but if we are not told it can affect session plans.

EQUIPMENT

All players must have the current HK Dragons FC kit (from Integrity Sports) so everyone looks professional at training and at games / tournaments. The full blue squad kit must be worn on the designated training and match days.

All players must wear shin pads to all training sessions.If players do not come wearing shin pads they won’t be allowed to participate in training or matches. 

Players must remove all jewellery e.g., watches. Bring plenty of water at all times. Players must bring any necessary medications (e.g., inhalers) at all times. All of this is for safety & there is no exception.

All players must bring their own football where possible to all training sessions. It must be the correct size. The wrong size is hugely detrimental to player development: 

U7 players (born 2019+) – size 3 football

U8 players (born 2018) – size 3 football 

U9 players (born 2017) – size 3 football

U10 players (born 2016) – size 4 football

U11 players (born 2015) – size 4 football

U12 players (born 2014) – size 4 football

U13+ players (born 2013+) – size 5 football 

PLAYERS (these are minimum standards that must be met at all times)

Coach & Player Handshake – The first thing all players must do when arriving at training and match days (once they’ve put their bag down and before they go and chat to teammates) is head over to the coach, greet each other with a handshake or first pump and say hello. It is a great sign of respect and it shows the coach the player is ready and focused. Then the coach will let the player know what to do, i.e., which team to join if they are playing a match.

TRAINING EXPECTATION

Hard work – give 100% effort all the time (not just when coaches are watching).

Focus – Listen to & watch your coach and teammates (soak up information).

Desire to improve – If there is something you aren’t good at, don’t hide it, don’t sulk about it, improve it with practice, repetition and effort.

Positive attitude – If you make a mistake, don’t worry, sulk or dwell on it – learn from it. Mistakes are part of the development process. If you never make a mistake that means you aren’t pushing yourself or trying difficult / new challenges. 

Helping teammates – Encourage at all times, don’t moan or blame. If someone does something  wrong, explain why it was incorrect & show them what they could do next time. Leaders lift others around them. Moaners & blamers are excuse makers.

RESPONSIBIITIES

Responsibility – You are in charge of being prepared for class (not mum, dad or auntie). Ensure you have the correct kit, football, shin pads, footwear and drink. You are in charge of your belongings, put them in a place where you’ll remember them. If you leave anything behind, that’s your responsibility. 

You are always representing yourself and HK DRAGONS FC – Always show great behaviour and respect for venues, teammates, coaches, the opposition and referees. If anyone isn’t showing acceptable levels of behaviour and respect, they will get a one warning, any further issues and they will be out of Dragons. We won’t allow anyone to affect the HK Dragons reputation and remember that someone is always watching.

Sportsmanship – At training and on match days, be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Never gloat, taunt or ridicule. Never refuse to shake hands with the opposite players and coaches and never use profane language or gestures.

Practice football in your own time – either individually or with friends. The more hours you spend with a football at your feet the better. It will make a dramatic difference.

If you are late – DO NOT WALK to the pitch, run to the pitch.

COACHES

We will work incredibly hard to help your child improve as an individual on and off the pitch. We aren’t just here to make them better football players, we are here to help them become responsible, respectful and hardworking young children/adults.

We will encourage and challenge the kids to push them out of their comfort zone.

We will aim to create a fast-paced and exciting session where the kids can be creative & express themselves while working as hard as possible.

If you ever hear or see our coaching staff being hard or honest to a player, it’s most likely because we feel they aren’t trying or sticking to the values outlined above.

If someone isn’t trying hard or listening and spoiling the class or wasting time for others, we’ll sit them out and it’s likely they won’t play at the weekend.

We believe honesty is always the best policy and if a player isn’t meeting the standards of effort required, we will tell them. This isn’t to be mean; this is to help them understand what we expect. If an issue continues, we will raise this with you so together we can try to resolve the matter.