Success away from the limelight – SKH Chan Young Secondary School

11/02/2020

“Why do we prepare so hard each year just for a few inter-school competitions? Why can’t we be like other countries and play games throughout the school year?” Taking these rather unconventional ideas to heart, Sze Fu-Keung (Master Sze), a teacher from SKH Chan Young Secondary School (CYSS), made the dream of playing games throughout the school year a reality by establishing the HKJC N-League, a girls’ football school league. After playing in the league for four years, CYSS won their first league championship. However, what CYSS has gained from the league goes far beyond simply winning the title.

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  Passion and Unity bring glory to the CYSS girls football team.

CYSS’s winning formula = Passion + Unity

“Passion, we run and run! Together, we fight for number one!” CYSS has long been a hot-favourite to win the championship; yet all of last year, Master Sze would remind the team to “take it easy and just do your best.” Finally, CYSS took over the leading position from Elegantia College in the last round and won the championship. Master Sze praises CYSS as being a solid and united team: “Passion is very important. Everyone takes an extra step, and this is the starting point to victory. Unity is another winning factor. I hope everyone can work hard together and overcome the obstacles that stand in our way. These two factors – passion and unity – helped us to win the championship last year, even though our skill level may not have been the strongest when compared to our rivals.”

N-League has grown, yet the dream is far from over!

The friendships that have blossomed between participating schools in the N-League have helped to unify the community. Master Sze recalled how the N-League has changed: “In the beginning, we had only planned to set up a system of inter-school friendly games to keep the football fire burning in our students’ hearts. Then we tried adding different elements into the game, such as home-court advantage, alumni participation, and cheering teams. These ideas helped us to gain the full support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Wofoo Social Enterprise, and gradually the N-League has evolved into what it is today. Throughout the process, I’ve been fortunate enough to have met a lot of people who share my same vision.”

With the participation of HKRSS Tai Po Secondary School from Tai Po District and Lam Tai Fai College from Shatin District, Master Sze believes that the N-League dream could be even bigger. “We can adapt N-League to other districts,” he said. “We can also adopt the promotion & relegation systems like foreign leagues, or Eastern & Western Conference and playoff ideas like in the NBA. This gives us a great opportunity to enhance the interaction between districts.”

The N-League’s success story has also given Master Sze the opportunity to once again collaborate with the North District Sports Association. Last year, in his former role as team coach for the Hong Kong Junior Volleyball team, he helped to establish the North District Volleyball League, giving young volleyball players a chance to grow and develop.

No. 1 fan Principal Chang believes N-League is more than football

Since the first day it was founded, CYSS principal, Cheng Shui-kwan, has witnessed the growth of the league and the players. Principal Cheng also never misses the mid-season N-League Cup Day and the league’s finale day to show her support to all football lovers. She appreciates that the N-League has provided a platform for girl football players to make friends and connect with the community. “It’s more than just a football game,” she said. “Even though this is a league competition, there is no rivalry between the players from different schools. Principals and teachers from other schools meet together and have good relationships. Other students play supporting roles as reporters, MCs and other positions. Residents from the community come and watch the games. Everyone can join in the event, and this creates an exciting atmosphere.”

Principal Cheng believes that the league is in line with CYSS’s motto of wholesome & diversified development of students. “From football, students learn not only playing skills, but also how to interact with people; adopt a positive attitude, and how to persevere. All of these help their future growth in both their studies and career development.”

She also loves to see CYSS alumni achieve their dreams of playing football, like current Hong Kong Team member, Wai Yuen-ting, who was invited to be a coach this year. As such, Yuen-ting is able to share her experiences and pass on positive values to the younger players.

Successful alumna, Wai Yuen-ting, inspires football dreams

CYSS does not have a big campus, but it did nurture one of the Hong Kong Team’s important players, Wai Yuen-ting, who wears jersey number 10. “When I first went to secondary school,” she recalled, “I didn’t have many friends. The girls football team was recruiting team members, and they invited me to join them after I was spotted watching them train.” Yuen-ting said that if not for playing football, she would probably have become a homebody. “Football has given me a lot of different experiences. I’ve played overseas and have met a whole new group of friends.”

“Some of the players with better skills do join proper football clubs to be trained in a more systematic way,” she admitted. “However, there aren’t many at this level in secondary school. N-League has made women’s football popular and has provided a chance for girls who otherwise would not know about football to play the game.” Chui Tsz-nga and Chu Hiu-ying from CYSS are currently on the Sha Tin Youth Team. Yuen-ting also feels happy for them. When she watches N-League games, she will ask the players with potential whether they would like to join a football club to further pursue their football dreams.

As a visiting alumna, Yuen-ting hopes to smooth the way for the younger girls: “I will do my best to strengthen their skills; but more importantly, I try to understand from the point of view of a friend what it is they’re thinking. Although I haven’t been a CYSS coach for long, I hope they can learn something from me, and I hope I can inspire them to see football as a goal.”

Ho Chun-yan, a C Grade novice, sees Wai Yuen-ting as a role model

“There are many good players, but I admire players with a good head on their shoulders who are practical, modest and determined,” said Master Sze, who points to Form 2 student Ho Chun-yan as an example. “She’s an all-around good player and is willing to play in different positions while the team is rebuilding. Even more importantly, she plays well.”

Ho Chun-yan has loved football since she was little but had no opportunities to play before coming to CYSS. “Not so many girls love football in primary school. That’s why I couldn’t wait to join the football team when I came to secondary school.” In the N-League, under the special rule of alumni participation, Chun-yan has had the opportunity to play with the seniors. She sees Wai Yuen-ting as a role model: “Like Yuen-ting, I hope I can become a football player and coach, and I hope to join the Hong Kong Women’s Football Team!”

Through the N-League, Master Sze has brought together a group of like-minded partners and reunited former alumni. Former N-League player Wai Yuen-ting is now back as an alumna and coach. She hopes to use football and her own experiences to inspire the younger generation. The N-League has brought together three generations of CYSS players – all connected by their love of football and a determination to pass on the torch!