SKH Fung Kei Millennium Primary School
31/01/2019
Football newcomer begins coaching journey to share what he has learned (31/01/2019)
The coach team that never gives up （Updated on 14/06/2019）
Football newcomer begins coaching journey to share what he has learned (31/01/2019)
S.K.H. Fung Kei Millennium Primary School (FKMPS) has been promoting sports development in recent years, with football being one of its areas of focus. Teacher Selwyn Lai, who joined the school two years ago, works hand-in-hand with external veteran coach Eric Choi in managing the school’s football team. Currently the administrator of the team, Selwyn was inspired by the students’ passion for football and therefore decided to join the JC School Football Development Scheme to equip himself with basic football knowledge and concepts before being able to officially assume the role of a football coach and pass on his knowledge to the students and reinforce the team.
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FKMPS teacher Selwyn Lai is responsible for the administrative duties of the football team, including designing nice posters.
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FKMPS football team players give it their all during training.
Selwyn admitted that he watches more football games than he plays, and has nearly zero experience in coaching football. However, as he strongly believes that sport is the most powerful tool for developing teenagers, he has still tried to play a role in the football team. Though he is not ready to teach football at the moment, he continues to render his support to the team by designing nice posters, game rosters, and cheering team uniforms as they participate in inter-school competitions. “I hope my team feels that they are professional players and are proud to be members of the FKMPS football team, so that they have a stronger sense of belonging to the school. I hope this can leave them with good memories as they grow up.”
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Selwyn (left) and Eric (second from left) work hand-in-hand to manage the FKMPS football team.
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Inspired by the students’ passion and determination, Selwyn（right）decided to equip and challenge himself, hoping to have a breakthrough in his football coaching skills.
Inspired by the students’ passion and determination, Selwyn decided to equip and challenge himself to learn more about football knowledge and tactics so that he could become a real football coach: “As the administrative side of the team is now on track, I hope to seek a breakthrough in my teaching skills, so that I can become closer to the students and help support the football team together with Eric.”
The passion for football and for helping the students is the greatest motivation for Selwyn to participate in the scheme and seek a breakthrough. He is devoted to delving into football skills and tactics; to personally and whole-heartedly participate in coaching, and to inspire the young people to thrive as they grow.
Colleagues and students offer encouragement towards becoming a professional coach （Updated on 15/04/2019）
The HKJC School Football Development Scheme has enhanced Selwyn’s confidence in becoming a qualified football coach. For the past two years, he has been partnering with Eric, coach of the S.K.H. Fung Kei Millennium Primary School football team, and whilst they work well together, they also specialise in their respective streams. Commenting on Selwyn’s transformation after joining the Scheme, Eric said he now acts more like a football coach and is able to take up some of his coaching duties: “Previously, Selwyn mainly helped with administrative work off the field. After joining the Scheme, he has taken more initiative to participate in training on the field, giving technical instruction to the players when necessary. He is acting just like a coach.”
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Eric is an experienced coach who has been with S.K.H. Fung Kei Millennium Primary School for four years. He has witnessed the development of Selwyn.
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Eric (right) is delighted to see Selwyn (middle) take the initiative to participate in the team’s training and instruct the students just like a coach would.
Eric added: “Football is not an individual sport. If we have one more brain to pick, no matter a player or coach, we can get a more holistic perspective. Selwyn’s transformation brings every advantage – we have nothing to lose.” As an experienced coach, Eric is delighted to see a breakthrough in Selwyn, and is equally happy to be inspired by the Scheme: “Christopher O’Brien, Head Coach of Manchester United Soccer Schools, reminded me to take players’ feelings into consideration. Even simple gestures, such a courteous handshake with students at the end of training, will make them feel important and respected. This helps enhance the relationship between coach and players, and forge a stronger team spirit.”
Tang Hau-yin, a Primary Six student who is also the vice-captain of the S.K.H. Fung Kei Millennium Primary School football team, sings the praises of this expert-and-beginner coaching team. He noticed that the Scheme has brought positive changes to himself and Selwyn, although his view on the latter is a bit unusual: “We bond amazingly well with Coach Lai (Selwyn). But I think he can be harsher on us to build his authority and the leadership that a coach should have.” Soon graduating and leaving the school, Tang Hau-yin hopes Selwyn can exert himself in coaching techniques and become a skillful football coach to pass on the knowledge to other students.
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S.K.H. Fung Kei Millennium Primary School football team vice-captain Tang Hau-yin (left) said Selwyn (right) is a good mentor and friend. However, he added that Selwyn could be harsher to the team so that he will look more like a coach.
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Eric (left) suggests that Selwyn (right) participate in more football matches to gain experience, thinking that this will help him a great deal in becoming a coach.
After two school visits, Selwyn has made a great leap forward in his journey of becoming a coach. Will he and Eric achieve a breakthrough during the last visit?
The coach team that never gives up (Updated on 14/06/2019)
The eight-month scheme has transformed Selwyn, who used to be a handball player, into a ‘real’ football coach. It has also helped Eric, the experienced external football coach, to further develop his way of coaching. At the third school visit, which again took place at Tai Wan Shan Park in Hung Hom, the playground was filled with laughter from Fung Kei Millennium’s students, and more students than usual had turned up. Selwyn believes that the Scheme has greatly inspired them not only in teaching football, but also in their other classes.
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At the third school, the playground was filled laughter from Fung Kei Millennium’s students, and more students than usual had turned up.
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Selwyn and Eric believe if they enjoy what they are doing, they can produce twice the result with half the effort.
Selwyn, who used to be in charge of the football team’s administrative work and artwork designs, has now become an instructor who is able to meticulously set up the training and coach the students. He is a confident coach who knows how to help students do better in terms of their tactics, skills and mental game: “As a football coach, training up players’ skills is not the most important thing because one can never win every handball or football game. However, I believe the challenges on the football field can train up students’ independent thinking and problem-solving skills.”
As a teacher and football coach, Selwyn understands from the Scheme that happiness and encouragement are two crucial elements to students’ learning: “The happy and encouraging learning culture promoted by the Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) reminds us that we should always think from the students’ perspective. If they enjoy what they are doing, they can produce twice the result with half the effort. Their interpersonal skills will also improve. I think this is an approach that we can apply on the pitch and in the classroom.”
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Selwyn（second from left） strives to learn continuously with determination, which has earned him the “Never Give Up” award.
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The “coach combo” will continue to place students and ‘happy learning’ at the heart of their trainings to realise students’ potential.
Eric has complimented Selwyn on his increasing coach expertise, and Selwyn has also been glad to see changes in Eric: “Eric used to be a little serious and uptight in front of the students, but now he has become more relaxed and has built a rapport with the team. Both he and the students are more willing to express their views, and this has greatly improved their interactions.”
Giving up his handball background and taking up the challenge of becoming a football coach, Selwyn strives to learn continuously with determination, which has earned him the “Never Give Up” award presented by Christopher O’Brien. Together with Eric’s extensive coaching experience, the “coach combo” will continue to place students and ‘happy learning’ at the heart of their trainings, helping the football team and students at Fung Kei Millennium Primary School to realise their potential.
