Rock Climbing
GoNature
With over 100 climbing routes and bouldering problems, this is a great gym for beginners right through to experienced climbers. Again, you can just pay for a day pass or take out a longer membership, and there are classes for both kids and families. For those aged 12 and over, there is also the opportunity to learn how to abseil. Shoes are available for hire.
Location: Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Age: 4 – Adult
Just Climb
This climbing gym offers youth classes aimed at building self-confidence, concentration, perseverance, and problem-solving skills as well as strength and agility.
Location: Diamond Hill, Kowloon
Age: 4 – Adult
YMCA
The YMCA Indoor Climbing Wall offers over 266 square meters of exciting climbing surface. Climbing classes are available here, as are birthday parties and fun days.
Location: TST, Kowloon
Age: 6+
Rugby
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU)
With the Hong Kong Sevens being arguably the territory’s biggest annual sporting event, it is no wonder that rugby is such big news here. The HKRFU is a great starting point to get information on all the clubs that offer Mini-rugby coaching and competitions for both girls and boys under 12, as well as junior rugby for teens .
Location: Clubs across HK Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and Lantau
Age: 4+
Sailing
Aberdeen Boat Club
Both children’s and youth sailing courses are on offer here, with the youngest sailors starting out in an ‘Optimist’ – a specially designed 7 foot dinghies – before eventually graduating to a ‘Pico’ dinghy. The courses aim to take students from complete beginner to club racer, and are heavily subsidised by ABC, in order to open the sailing to as many young people as possible.
Location: Aberdeen, HK Island
Age: 7+
The Hebe Haven Yacht Club
The Hebe Haven Yacht club offers regular Saturday morning courses for young sailors looking to log hours out on the water, and develop sailing skills and confidence. In addition to this, once a month the club runs a Junior Sailing Family Fun Day, designed to take younger sailors out on their fleet of dinghies, to experience a fun taster day on the water. These sessions include basic skills, games and racing, and assistant instructors are onboard each boat to give tips and advice to the families on the water.
Location: Sai Kung, the New Territories
Age: 7+ for sailing courses, 4+ for the Family Fun Day
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
The weekend youth courses available here are open to all interested sailors that can swim at least 50 metres unaided (although a small non-members fee applies). Holiday courses are also available and experienced sailors can join the Sharks Racing Squads.
Location: Middle Island, HK Island
Age: 6+
Soccer
Asia Pacific Soccer School
This well-respected soccer school offers both regular classes for girls and boys (including some girls’ only classes) as well as special holiday sessions and, for more experienced players, there is the opportunity to play competitive games in both Hong Kong and overseas.
Location: Various locations across HK Island, Kowloon and the New Territories
Age: 5 – 18 years
Brazilian Football Academy
With the tagline – ‘learn to play the Brazilian way’, it is no wonder that the Brazilian Football Academy is a popular choice for developing soccer skills. Classes and training take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and students who show promise can be picked for teams to play in friendly tournament and matches.
Location: Pok Fu Lam, HK Island
Age: 5 – 14 years
ESF Lions Youth Programme
The after-school soccer programme offered by ESF Sports aims to combine fun with skill development and technique. During non-term times, football fun camps are on offer, which provide a great platform for practising skills and making new friends. In addition to this, there is also a Player Development Programme for both boys and girls with the desire and aptitude to take their football more seriously. As testament to its success: currently the ESF U11s and U12s both play in the Hong Kong Junior Football League, whilst the U14s and U16s both play in the Hong Kong Football Association Henderson Youth League – the highest level of youth football on offer in Hong Kong.
Location: Various locations across HK Island, Kowloon and the New Territories
Age: 2 – 16 years
HK Dragons Football Club
With an emphasis on fun, as well as playing with competence and flair, the HK Dragons offer soccer coaching to students of all ages and abilities across Lantau, with specific girls classes too. From the age of 8, players also have the opportunity to try out for one of the teams that play in the Hong Kong Junior Football League.
Location: Various locations across Lantau
Age: 2.5+
HKFC Junior Soccer
Junior Soccer at the Hong Kong Football Club offers the opportunity for young players, boys and girls, club members and non-members, to learn and play football. With programmes for players of all abilities aged 5 to 14, a dedicated Youth Development Pathway for selected players aged 12 to 18, and a specific programme for players with special needs, HKFC Junior Soccer aims to offer a fun and enjoyable experience whilst learning new skills and technique. The season runs from September to May, with registration normally opening in June.
Location: Happy Valley, HK Island
Age: 5 – 18 years
Swimming
ESF Sports – Swimming
The folk at ESF Sports not only offer beginners classes, for both students and non-students, but there is also the chance for older children to join competitive squads, as well as learn waterpolo and complete a junior lifesaving programme. Summer swimming clinics are also available.
Location: Various locations across HK Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and also at Discovery Bay
Age: 4 months +
Harry Wright International Limited
With forty years of experience teaching Hong Kong’s young people to swim, Harry Wright International is a popular choice when it comes to dipping your toes in the water. The Learn to Swim Programme takes primary aged children who can’t yet swim, and helps them build self-confidence in the water, as well as introducing the basic skills of floating and gliding. Students then go on to learn freestyle and backstroke and can eventually join one of the competitive squads.
Location: Various locations on HK Island, Kellett School in Kowloon, and Discovery Bay
Age: 4 months +
Multi-Sport Ltd – Swimming
Beginners here can develop basic movement and water confidence, as they work towards swimming 10 metres on their front and back. Students then progress to learning a variety of strokes to an ASA standard. For swimmers aged over 8 years old, who are interested in training in a competitive environment; there is the opportunity to join the Hong Kong Dolphins Swimming Squad.
Location: Jardine Campus, Lycée Français International, Hong Kong Island
Age: 18 months +
Tennis
Hong Kong International Tennis Academy
The programmes offered here aim to help develop players’ inner-motivation, creativity, self-discipline, time management, sportsmanship behaviour and confidence – as well, of course, their ability to play tennis! With coaches from all over the world, and with years of experience, students will be exposed to the best from both the East and West coaching philosophy and style. The Academy also provides counselling for those players who are looking at US college placements.
Location: Various locations across HK Island, Kowloon, the New Territories
Age: 2+
Hong Kong Tennis Association
The HKTA aims to run tennis training programmes that open the sport up to young people, whatever their background or location. The ‘Tennis-For-All’ training programme consists of weekly value-for-money lessons for beginners and there is also an elite development programme for players wanting to take their game to the next level.
Location: Various locations across HK Island, Kowloon, the New Territories
Age: 6+
Multi-Sport Ltd – Tennis
Mini-Tennis classes are available here for primary school children, with an emphasis on fun aswell as learning tennis fundamentals and court etiquette.
Location: Jardine Campus, Lycée Français International, Hong Kong Island
Age: 3+
Watersports and Surfing
LCSD Watersport Centres
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has established five water sports centres on Hong Kong Island and the New Territories, with junior courses in kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. As you would imagine, prices are very reasonable, and beginner courses are open to anyone who meets the minimum swimming requirement.
Location: Various locations across HK Island and the New Territories
Age: 8+
Surf Hong Kong Limited
If catching a few waves sounds totally awesome, the half day and full day surfing or SUP lessons here might be worth checking out, with options for children and families. As well as looking cool, the lessons will help young surfers learn about perseverance, balance, safety and how to wipeout! Three day adventure camps are also available.
Location: Tai Long Sai Wan, Sai Kung East Country Park, the New Territories
Age: 6+
Treasure Island HK
The Treasure Island HK surf camps cater for young beginners right through to older surfers wanting some adventure. Kids can be dropped off and picked up from Central Ferry Pier, where, in the care of the instructors, they will be taken to Pui O Beach on Lantau. Younger surfers will have some time out on the water, as well as have chance to take part in beach games and sports, whereas older kids will follow their day’s surfing by camping out overnight. On the last day, parents are invited to join the fun, and meals are provided.
Location: Pui O Beach, Lantau
Age: 5+
Yoga and Pilates
Children’s Yoga with Storytelling
Younger children will love these theme-based yoga sessions run by Alison Yu, a highly experienced early years teacher. Groups can explore simple yoga poses, breathing exercises, creative games and songs, while experiencing age-appropriate reading materials under the guidance of a qualified teacher.
Location: Classes are run at a variety of locations across Hong Kong including clubhouses, parks, studios and schools.
Age: 18 months – 11 years old
Discover Kids Yoga
Discover kids yoga is a space where children build self-confidence, increase focus, keep fit and have fun. Children are encouraged to explore yoga through yoga games, storytelling, and songs. Mommy & Me, and YogaABCS sessions are available for little ones, whereas older children and families can join studio and private classes.
Location: Central and Sheung Wan, HK Island and Prince Edward, Kowloon
Age: 2+
Flex HK
Flex HK has a brilliant range of classes on offer for primary-aged kids, tweens and teens, including yoga lessons, and their unique Tween and Teen Allegro Pilates classes, which are great for developing core strength and flexibility. There is also a Teen Barre class available which utilises ballet movements, the muscle-shaping principles of isometrics, and the body-elongating practice of dance conditioning – all great for create a uniquely strong, firm, sculpted body. The ethos behind all the classes is to help young people gain confidence in their growing bodies, move intelligently and educate them about physical fitness for life. Flex has carefully structured classes according to the changing needs of young bodies – as they evolve from pre-teen to teen years – with a focus on improving pelvic and spinal stability, key postural muscle tone and balance and coordination – a fundamental conditioning for every young person.
Location: Wong Chuk Hang and Central, HK Island
Age: 5+
Little Yogis
Primary-aged kids can enjoy trying out new yoga poses in Hong Kong’s only child-dedicated studio, through the use of games and stories. Students also have chance to practice breathing exercises to help them relax and regulate their emotions. A holistic approach to wellness is taken here: with 20 minutes of the hour-long lesson being spent in the specially designed kitchen, preparing healthy snacks and meals, and becoming familiar with the look, smell and taste of fruit and veg of all shapes and sizes.
Location: One Island South, Wong Chuk Hang, HK Island
Age: 3 months – 10 years
The Yoga Room
The Yoga Room uses an internationally recognised programme called ‘YogaKids’, which currently runs in over 23 countries, and aims to introduce poses through a comprehensive approach that addresses the brain, mind and spirit in a fun manner. Students will develop focus and concentration, strength and flexibility, as well as hopefully learn to relax and sleep better!
Location: Sheung Wan, HK Island
Age: 6 years+
And so, we hope that there is an option among all of these to suit! And if we’ve missed your child’s favourite sports class, do leave drop us a line, we’d love to hear about it!
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