Ng Yuk Secondary School

19/02/2020

Passing on the bonds of football brotherhood

Tai Wai Ng Yuk Secondary School's (NYSS) boys football team once played brilliantly and with a spirit of brotherhood in the Inter-School Football Competition, Shatin and Sai Kung District. However, after the graduation of a number of players, the team faced big changes – their performance declined, and the number of players decreased. Wong Ka-wing, one of the old players who experienced those changes, returned to his alma mater two years ago as a teacher and also as the one in charge of the school’s football team. Facing a number of problems, Ka-wing hoped that lessons learned in the JC School Football Development Scheme, he could reinvigorate the team with the spirit of brotherhood; attract new players and pass on the team’s traditions.

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  Wong Ka-wing, old boy of Ng Yuk Secondary School, hoped that lessons learned in the JC School Football Development Scheme, he could reinvigorate the team with the spirit of brotherhood.

Senior brotherhood

During his school days at NYSS, Ka-wing was a key player. He has fond memories of that time with his teammates. “Even though I also played on my university team, I really enjoyed the experience when I was in secondary school the most. We studied, trained and played in the matches together. We were all like brothers!”

Times have changed, and students now spend more time studying which takes away from the atmosphere of the school team. Last year, the U19 and U15 school teams had less than 10 players each. Players were often absent from training. Ka-wing was fed up with this situation and felt frustrated: “I was trained in the traditional method and followed instructions strictly. But even though I shouted at the students who performed badly, it didn’t help at all!” How could the spirit of brotherhood be nurtured with such a poor number of participants and atmosphere?

Recalling youthful memories

Ka-wing began to hope that things could change after he joined the JC School Football Development Scheme. The concept of happy football reminded Ka-wing of his school days: “I looked forward to Saturday’s practice session with OB (Christopher O’Brien, Manchester United Soccer Schools Hong Kong Head Coach), he said. “A group of teachers and coaches with the same goal were being trained and interacted with each other. Happiness is actually a simple way of bringing everyone together."

Ka-wing gradually realised that instead of trying hard to push the students to practice, it would be better to use a softer way to attract students back to the team. "OB's interesting way of practice is suitable for students of all ages. If someone like me who was trained in the traditional method can fully accept this, then the students will definitely have no problem adopting to and enjoying it.”

Enthusiastically giving back to the younger generation

Form 5 student Max Chan Chun-wai and Form 2 student Sherrock Lau Sze-lok had memorable experiences training with OB. Max said: "Both the coaches and teammates interacted more than usual. The training was very intensive, and I did sweat more than usual, yet I felt it was comfortable and easy."Sherrock felt that OB and Ka-wing have the same passion for football: "OB’s voice is very loud,” he said. “When we pass the ball to someone, he had us call their name out loudly. He is so passionate just like Ka-wing is."

During the practice, many of the older students would immediately tell the younger ones what to do. Max and Sherrock agreed that the different classes get along well, and this is in keeping with the traditional spirit of the school team and is just like how Ka-wing deals with them. Max hopes that he can come back to the school as an assistant after he graduates in two years so that he can pass on his appreciation to the younger players, just as Ka-wing is doing.

Past teacher becomes a colleague

NYSS principal, Iris Fung Yun-yee, came to the pitch to support the students and Ka-wing, who was once her student and now is one of her teachers. When she was a student, Principal Fung did rock climbing, swimming and other sports. She was also on her university’s swimming team. Although she does not know much about football, she also feels its charm: “When I watched the CNY Football Tournament with my friends, I felt the team spirit of the players on the pitch, and the electric atmosphere off the pitch. I think that football has incredible power to bring people together.”

As an athlete, Principal Fung frankly said that the Scheme offers a positive experience for both the school and the students. “The Scheme is good training for their ASK – Attitude, Skills and Knowledge. Football lets them experience many things that cannot be achieved by one single person – things that can only be realised through cooperation. Each of them has a sense of responsibility for attending the training session. If they really like it, they will continue to work hard.” Principal Fung appreciated Ka-wing’s contributions to the school team and the students and hoped that they will keep on working hard. She encouraged them, saying: “As long as you work hard, God will always reward you.”

Budding brotherhood

After taking part in the scheme, Ka-wing decided to switch his tone and manner from being serious to being more approachable. This is helping him to rebuild the team into a band of brothers through the concept of “happy football”. With all the benefits of the scheme, Ka-wing believes that the number of students participating will increase. “I don’t need to push or convince them to join,” he enthused. Ka-wing thanked the principal for helping him and the team. He also was very happy to see a spirit of brotherhood grow within the team. With more fun, the team gradually began to get stronger. Ka-wing said: "They come from different classes, but they adapt to each other as one team – meeting together to dine and play football. This reminds me of my own brotherhood."

Although the team hasn’t been as successful as in years past, Ka-wing believes that the spirit of brotherhood is once again back at the school, and he will do everything he can to pass it on.