S.K.H Tsing Yi Chu Yan Primary School

22/06/2018

Reaching new heights as girls pursue football dream

S.K.H. Tsing Yi Chu Yan Primary School is keen on promoting physical education, and it is common to see students playing sports at school. Football is especially popular, and the school runs both boys’ and girls’ football teams and interest classes. In the past, the teams have produced outstanding performances and achieved exceptional results at the Tsing Yi District inter-school competition; however, teachers and coaches Andy Lo and Joshua Leung are determined not to let them rest on their laurels. Instead, they decided to join the HKJC School Football Development Scheme in the hope that by striving for excellence they could bring the teams to the next level.

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  Andy Lo, a teacher of S.K.H. Tsing Yi Chu Yan Primary, has been the school’s football coach for the past 21 years.

Mixing old and new ideas to create a new teaching philosophy

As the school’s football coach for the past 21 years, Andy has witnessed the ups and downs of both the boys’ and girls’ teams. Compared to the championship achievements of past years, the current performance of the teams – while not bad –has caused him to become a bit disheartened. Then this year, he came to know about the Manchester United Soccer School’s new training approach and realised that swapping old ideas for new ones could have a real impact. During the Scheme’s three school visits, he was inspired to learn that even small changes, such as implementing a simple reward system, shortening warm-up times, and increasing competition time, could lead to significant results. “All players, no matter boys or girls, will be motivated and put in more effort when a reward is offered,” said Andy.

Traditional training approaches often focus only on the result. Coaches often interrupt the players to give personal demonstrations and advice in an attempt to try and instantly correct their mistakes. This is the complete opposite to the “Play to Learn” theory promoted by the Manchester United Soccer Schools. The Scheme has taught Andy to review his teaching philosophy and vision, and to understand that students are at the core of training and competitions. The new training approach gives students more time to play football and enables them to learn and improve through personal experience. Andy has also learnt to step aside and let the students lead the training. He has kept his interruptions to a minimum and has tried to carefully observe their performance. He now waits until the end of the training to give his advice.

Girls hold their own as they look forward to achieving excellence

At S.K.H. Tsing Yi Chu Yan Primary School, the idea that “football is a boys’ game” holds no water. The skills and attitude of the girls’ football team is in no way inferior to the boys, and this includes during practices. Constance Tam, aged 11, is an outstanding performer. Three years ago, she experienced football first-hand with her father; and since then has built an indissoluble bond with the sport. Despite her physical weakness and her need to rest more, her passion for football has never been compromised. She is a quiet player but always confident when dribbling balls on field. Last year, Constance’s talent was widely recognised when she won the Outstanding Player Award of Tsing Yi District at the All Hong Kong Inter-Primary Schools 5-a-side Football Competition.

The visit by Manchester United Soccer Schools was also a game changer for Constance’s skills and personality. Her foundational skills were sharpened, and she is not shy anymore to express herself in front of her teammates and older students. Andy was delighted to see Constance’s improvement, which was also noticed by Christopher O’Brien, Head Coach of the Manchester United Soccer Schools Hong Kong. As a result, Constance was also bestowed with the Star Player Award at the School Football Development Day.

Looking ahead, Andy believes that there is still huge room for improvement, especially in their social skills. He thinks primary school students do not hide their feelings well; and because they do not know how to control their emotions, disputes can easily occur. However, he strongly believes that through the Scheme, students’ interpersonal skills can be improved, and that they will come to learn that no matter in football or in life, success depends on giving it their all.