Nurturing a new generation and passing on a never-say-die spirit – De La Salle Secondary School

09/06/2020

De La Salle Secondary School is a key member of the HKJC N-League, and their teachers take part in operating the league. The school has taken part in the league since it was founded in 2015, and this year marks its fifth season. During this time, many students and teachers have graduated and retired from the school, but PE teacher and coach, Ng Wai-hung, has taken on the responsibility with an alumnus who has been away from the school for four years, and together they have trained up the team. They work hard to pass on the spirit of giving their all and never giving up so as to promote the development of girls’ football both at school and within the district.

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  De La Salle Secondary School has taken part in the HKJC N-League since 2015-16. Together with Fung Kai No.1 Secondary School, they are the two N-League schools that have their own pitch.

Experience first, results second

In recent years, the N-League has been gaining more and more attention in Hong Kong. Yeung Wing-kei, who previously led the De La Salle Secondary School team and was the former chairman of the North District Sports Association, had helped in setting up the league, including booking venues and contacting schools.  After Mr Yeung retired, PE teacher and coach Ng Wai-hung took over Yeung’s role. His first and most important task was to train up the new players, as some of the key players, like Liu Qian and Li Yuk-fei, had graduated.

Coach Ng emphasised that the results came second, as the experience they gained was more important. He encouraged them to dare to try, while helping to build their interests. He injected positive thinking wherever he could. “Students are not only busy with their academic studies,” he said, “but they also have lots of extracurricular activities to choose from. Plus, everyone is a phubber. But even with so many temptations, it is very encouraging to see that so many young players are willing to take the time to join the training.” To players view Mr Ng as a kind father figure who always encourages them. In recent years, even though their results have been inconsistent, the team continues to be close-knit.

Memorable home games and meeting a primary school classmate

Among the new generation, Form 2 student Lee Pui-yee and Form 3 student Wong Sze-yau are considered key players. They both think that the league is very unique. Their school has its own real grass 7-man football field, which is rare in Hong Kong. That makes Pui-yee enjoy playing at home. “It is very exciting when playing on our home turf,” she said. “The atmosphere is very good. The sound of cheering motivates us to keep going.” Pui-yee’s father visits the N-League venue from time to time, including on the finale match day, so as to show support for his daughter. Pui-yee said that this kind of parent-child activity has helped to strengthen their relationship, and it has even lessened the pressures of her academic studies.

Wong Sze-yau thinks a lot of the league as it is well organised and the decorations on the field are meaningful.  She says that she sometimes will meet her old primary school classmates on the field. “At first, I’m very nervous during the game, but then I get used to it and I enjoy the team spirit. Once during a match against Hong Kong Red Swastika Society Tai Po Secondary School, I happened to meet my primary school classmate, Lam Yee-ting. It was so good to see her on the field, and we also had the chance to catch up after the game.” It is often said that friendship comes first, and the game comes second. That is truly what meeting good friends on the field means.

Alumnus returns to become a life tutor both off and on the pitch        

Although the school team is in a transition period, Coach Ng believes that there is a special connection that has contributed to the players improving, and this had made him very happy. “Many of the young people I have taught in the past have become coaches at other primary schools,” he explained. After a number of years, some of their students go on to attend De La Salle Secondary School. There’s a special connection that one could call fate or describe as a symbol of how football is passed on.  I feel that the most gratifying thing is to see young people grow up and show sportsmanship on the field. They do not just focus on the result but show respect to their rivals and to the referees.”

Liu Qian was the top scorer of the first N-League tournament. Now that she’s left De La Salle Secondary School, she plans to go to university. But first, she has returned to the school as an intern, rejoining the school team under the N-League’s alumni competition regulations. “Returning to the team with a new identity is like coming home. I want to regain the feeling of the games that I played in during the 2015-16 season by joining the team with the younger students. I hope that I can pass on to them the right attitude and experience.” After the return of Liu Qian, De La Salle Secondary School gained two consecutive victories and that improved morale significantly.

Understand yourself and deliver your best in order to increase self-confidence

Young people are easily discouraged and even give up because of setbacks. Coach Ng hopes that the students will get to know themselves through the competition, and that this will help to improve their self-confidence. He said: “Laziness is the enemy of learning. I hope they can give 100% of their effort when practising and playing the game. When they do it in this way, they can improve themselves in all aspects of life and truly understand what their strengths and weaknesses are.”

Do you study just for the grades? For students who take the DSE and also join the N-League, Coach Ng encourages them to do their best but not to push themselves too hard. “DSE is only one stop in your life. It’s similar to playing in a game – relax and show everyone your best. Just believe in yourself, focus on the competition, and you may achieve an unexpected result.” No matter in DSE or N-League, Pui-yee and Sze-yau still have a long way to go. They both hope to continue improving themselves in preparation for facing future challenges head on.

After nearly five seasons of development, Coach Ng believes that N-League has the potential to be better. “We have eight teams in N-League,” he explained. “There are so many schools located outside of North District, and I hope that their school teams can join the competition. I believe N-League could be expanded to other areas and accept ten or more teams to compete. We have the potential to uplift the competitiveness.” De La Salle Secondary School, N.T. is not a regular champion, but their young players have room for improvement as local women’s football develops.