Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School

03/06/2019

Making a change to bring back students’ football aspirations (18/12/2018)

Parents and coach join hands to promote “happy football” (08/04/2019)

Football loving principal drives school to a new level by supporting new learning strategies that unleash students’ potential （Updated on 03/06/2019）

Making a change to bring back students’ football aspirations (18/12/2018)

Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School has a strong sporting culture, and students are encouraged to participate in sports that they like. The school believes that sports can help students to achieve all-round development in terms of physical and mental strength. Max Ho, leader of the school’s football coach team, led the team to join the JC School Football Development Scheme this year in the hope of enhancing his relationship with students and parents, and helping students thrive.

Thinking back over his five years of teaching at the school, Max confessed that he was aggressive and results-oriented. Students were required to pick up good skills in a short period of time. His stern training style sacrificed his relationships with his students, who eventually gave up their aspirations for football. “Once there was a student who had just entered the teenage defiance stage and could not stand my strict training approach,” he said. “We had a strained relationship and he refused to be trained as requested. He showed no improvements in skills and eventually lost his passion for football, which I thought was such a pity.”

After joining the Scheme, however, Max was inspired by the theory and practice classes and the teaching philosophy of the Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS), and came to realise the fact that “things reverse course as soon as they reach extremity”. He explained: “MUSS Head Coach Christopher O’Brien advocates happy and freestyle training approach, which allows students to enjoy their fullest in playing football under no instructions and restrictions. Students have become more focused at trainings, they learn more effectively and even show more respect to their coaches. The Scheme’s training approach is professional and filled with happy elements. Students put on more smiles during their training and are learning more efficiently.” These have taught Max to reflect on himself and inspired him to change his teaching approach.

Before the school year concludes, Max hopes that his new attitude and training style can help students to release their potential, and that he can build up a closer relationship with students and their parents. Will he succeed?

Parents and coach join hands to promote “happy football” (Updated on 08/04/2019)

“More understanding and encouragement, less condemnation” is what Coach Max Ho said when asked to reflect on the two school visits he had just organised. Raymond Lau, a father of two sons studying at the school, has known Max for years. When asked to comment on Max’s coaching style, he said: “Most parents and students think he is a stern and serious teacher. After all, he is a teacher, so I think being disciplined and firm is just what he has to be. But that has not stopped him from putting students’ needs first and dedicating himself to the team. To be honest, he has become less serious after joining the Scheme. He’s a little less solemn, and shows more care and gives more encouragement to his students.” Seeing what Max has done for the team, and in view of the school’s shortage of resources, many parents have volunteered to support Max by assisting him in the preparation of training and transporting the necessary equipment.

Not only do parents support Max, but the children also give him a thumbs-up. Romeo, Raymond’s younger son who is in Primary Four, has been on the team since Primary One. He feels that Max is strict but not scary; he is a great mentor and friend: “As strict as Coach Ho looks, I know deep down that he loves every one of us. When he reprimands us, there is always a reason. That being said, I still hope he can be a little bit more lenient!”

Meanwhile, Raymond, who is passionate about football, has also picked up a few moves from the Manchester United Soccer School training approach: “Most coaches tend to give a lot of instructions; and players therefore tend to rely on these instructions instead of thinking through the situation. The international training approach advocated by O’Brien emphasises problem-solving, which helps to train up the children’s independence and creative thinking. I believe the Scheme can inspire Max and help him to break through.”

After experiencing the training approach of Manchester United Soccer School, Raymond signed up for the coach training course offered by the Hong Kong Football Association. He hopes that the course will help him to become a more professional, all-round parent and football coach – one who is able to support Romeo, Max and the team to thrive.

With the end of the school year approaching, can Max give up his traditional training style and help his students to grow strong by promoting the “happy football” concept?

Football loving principal drives school to a new level by supporting new learning strategies that unleash students’ potential （Updated on 03/06/2019）

Popular guest star and Manchester United legendary player Louis Saha’s visit to Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School (STCPS) was a highlight of the third school visit. Not only did the students enjoy themselves, but Principal Chow Wai-keung also had a satisfied smile on his face as he watched Max and the students engrossed in the activities. It turns out that Principal Chow is also a football fan – he used to be a football coach in his younger years, and was the apprentice of Kwok Ka-ming, renowned football expert and a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group. He has fully supported Max and the coach team participating in the Scheme this year.

Looking back at the last eight months, Max revealed that the Scheme has taught him to reflect on himself; try to make changes, and let go of his strictness. Since then, he has built up a more harmonious relationship and stronger bonds with the students. He was delighted to see that the “Happy Football” vision that he committed to at the beginning of the school year has gradually moved closer to becoming a reality: “Christopher O’Brien once said that what defines success is to see students smiling after training and requesting for and looking forward to the next training. Now I have players come to me during recess time demanding more practices. This is most inspirational to me.”

Apart from improving as a coach, Max is also happy to see positive changes in parents: “Now parents rarely put the blame on their children and referees during training matches; instead they offer cheers and more words of encouragement.” He reminded parents to promote this idea and to influence other parents to show more support to their children as this helps to advocate a culture of encouragement. 

Principal Chow hopes that the students can build up their social and disciplinary skills through football.

As the school’s primary leader, Principal Chow reminded Max that teaching students to be good in life is more important than being good at football skills: “The ultimate goal of a coach is not just about leading a team to win, but to teach students to cultivate team spirit and build up their social and disciplinary skills through football. Max has been doing a wonderful job, and I look forward to seeing him moving a step further by applying what he has learnt from the Scheme.”

With the Scheme’s completion and encouragement from Principal Chow, Max has let go of his sternness and has become committed to focusing on the “Happy Football” vision by putting children at the core and keeping the teaching style at STCPS relaxed and joyful. Max is determined to join hands with Principal Chow and the parents to promote a perseverant spirit, teamwork, and sense of belonging at STCPS through football, which will help to further push the potential of the students.