From fencing to horseback riding, the best sports classes for kids in Hong Kong offer activities to keep them engaged.
You’ve already signed them up for creative classes and free activities, and they’re loving their Mandarin classes, but what about the fitness side of things? There’s no end to the benefits of staying active, and participating in sports comes with an added layer of increased competitiveness, teamwork, and social opportunities. They’ll be running rings around you after they’re signed up for the best sports classes for kids in Hong Kong.
The best sports classes for kids in Hong Kong
1. Hong Kong Basketball Academy
Get ready for a slam dunkin’ sports class at Hong Kong Basketball Academy! Founded by basketball champ Jason Yam, this academy is all about giving girls and boys the full court press of the basketball world. Want to get your little ballers into the game? They can sign up for one-on-one training or join small group camps to step up their dribbles, perfect those swishes, and master crossovers. Hosting classes in Stanley, Wong Chuk Hang, and Sai Ying Pun, HKBA is the go-to place for youngsters aged 5 to 18 to amp up their basketball prowess. Whether they’re hooping newbies just learning the ropes, or advanced players aiming to develop elite moves for international play, there’s something for everyone. After a complimentary trial session, the coaches at HKBA tailor a training plan to ensure your kiddo is on the fast track to basketball stardom.
Hong Kong Basketball Academy trains at various locations across Hong Kong.
2. Brazilian Football Academy
The Samba boys are known for their flashy on-pitch antics, so who better to train your kids in the fundamentals of football than these Brasileiros? The four-point programme combines technical skills, psychological prowess, physical training, and social aspects to create well-rounded footballers that play the Brazilian way.
Private coaching is available and is great for fine-tuning skills, but the real fun is to be had on the age-appropriate teams that play and train regularly. The Brazilian Football Academy is specifically designed for kids aged up to 13, though an affiliation with the Hong Kong Junior Football League will give access to different competitions and training opportunities later on.
Brazilian Football Academy trains at various locations across Hong Kong.
3. Hong Kong Jockey Club Public Riding School
Introduce your little ones to the thrills of horseback riding at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Riding School! It’s best to start off with private intro lessons to nail the basics. Once they’ve got the hang of it, they can progress to small group classes to hone their equestrian skills even further. Plus, students get the chance to really bond with the horses through hands-on stable lessons. A heads-up though – this popular school’s spots are snapped up in a flash, so you might find yourself on a waitlist. But, here’s a tip: try the Tuen Mun location, where you just might snag a spot. Bonus: the on-site Riding for the Disabled Association offers therapeutic lessons, making sure kids of all abilities can experience the joy and benefits of riding!
Hong Kong Jockey Club Public Riding School has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
4. Aberdeen Boat Club
If your tots are hydrophiles, let them take to the water in style at the Aberdeen Boat Club. A recognised Hong Kong Sailing Federation Centre, the club offers a wealth of watersports activities just for kids and teens. Whether they want to try kayaking, hit the waves on a wakeboard, build strength on stand-up paddleboards, or eat the air with windsurfing, they can do it here. If they have the inclination, they can even learn to sail with the Sail Training Programme. The best part? You don’t even have to be a member of the club to train.
Aberdeen Boat Club, 20 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, p. 2552 8182
5. Hong Kong Fencing Master
Try a different active pursuit with Hong Kong Fencing Master. This sophisticated sport combines movement with finesse, encouraging kids to stay active, master techniques, and even cultivate a sense of sportsmanship. All classes are taught by Olympic-level trainers – head coach Lau Kwok Kin has represented Hong Kong in many international competitions and has even competed in the Olympics twice.
The range of programmes fits kids aged three and up and are designed for particular skill levels. Have your tot master the fundamentals in Fencing for Fun before they proceed through the further levels. Bonus points if they make it to the Elite level which requires training three times a week and two or three private sessions.
Hong Kong Fencing Master has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
6. Harry Wright International
Wave goodbye to paddling in the shallow end! Harry Wright International is where Hong Kong’s tiny tots have been transforming into champions like Siobhan Haughey, with its top-notch aquatic programmes since 1975. Your kids can start making a splash with infant lessons available from just four months old. By the age of four, little guppies can move up to proper swim instruction with HW’s “Learn to Swim” curriculum. Coaches, who are trained to the highest standards, group swimmers by skill level, ensuring your child is constantly pushing their boundaries in the pool. With a community of 3,000 active swimmers diving daily across Hong Kong, HW has honed an aquatic curriculum that consistently produces swimmers of championship calibre.
Harry Wright International trains at various locations across Hong Kong.
7. Proactiv Sports
The perfect option for sporty kids with varied interests, Proactiv Sports offers a multi-sport sampler so your child can discover their passion. This dynamic academy hosts classes where tots can dabble in everything, from gymnastics to hockey, basketball, and more. Once they find a favourite, focused programmes in swimming, football, tennis, and other sports take their skills to the next level. Budding water babies can even learn surf lifesaving and safety with the Nippers course. Year-round sports camps also help young athletes develop abilities in specific areas. With such a range of athletic possibilities, Proactiv makes it easy for families to pinpoint the right sport while keeping kids active, engaged, and excelling.
Proactiv Sports trains at various locations across Hong Kong.
8. Adventure Sports Academy
Specialising in football and basketball, Adventure Sports Academy has become a go-to for kid-friendly sports classes in Hong Kong. The football programme introduces tots as young as 18 months to basic skills, progressively developing their motor skills, ball drills, and team play. Kids can eventually join under-16 teams for regular training and games. Meanwhile, the basketball programme follows the same structure, with the First Bounce class for ages 18 months to 4 years, leading to team training and one-on-one instruction for older kids. Both streams provide a clear path from introductory classes to advanced teams. With this scaffolded approach focused on progression, Adventure Sports Academy builds young athletes’ skills in football and basketball from first kick to championship games.
Adventure Sports Academy trains at different locations in Hong Kong.
9. Little League
Because there’s so much more to baseball than just balls and strikes! Since 1972, Little League has been offering kids a comprehensive athlete experience. Its dedicated volunteer coaches don’t just focus on throwing, catching, and hitting – they’re also champions at teaching sportsmanship. Catering to youngsters aged 4 to 16, this non-profit organisation doesn’t just score runs; it instils core values like courage, loyalty, and fair play, right there with batting practice. It’s no surprise that over 50,000 budding athletes have been part of the HKLL family over the years!
Little League trains at different locations in Hong Kong.
[This article was originally published in May 2021 and updated in 2024 by Catherine Pun.]
