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​The latest programmes and plans for future sporting partnerships
Charlton Athletic Return to Qinhuangdao
Following last year’s successful football camp, coaches from the Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) have returned to Qinhuangdao in Hebei Province, China. Three coaches have been working with the Elite Under-18 girls’ team at our partner High School in the city to prepare them for the upcoming U18 Hebei Province Tournament. The coaching has focused on tactics and game management.
CACT Lead Coach Richard Styles explained – ‘Chinese school footballers already have good technical skills so the areas where we are trying to improve performance are game play, set pieces and tournament mindset. We have trained two sessions a day for the past ten days and we will now accompany the girls to the tournament where we hope they will be successful. Torrential rain and scorching heat – all characteristics of July in Hebei – have caused some disruption but the players have shown huge enthusiasm as we try and get them to the next level’.
How Netball took Students on a Journey to China
This year, a group of Netball academy students embarked on an unforgettable journey to China to take part in the first Youth Netball Tournament in Hebei Province.
We caught up with some of the students who went.
For many of them China was not what they expected. “It was very different from what I thought it would be like,” said one of the participants. “But it was a good experience, actually, much better than I imagined. Everything felt so futuristic, especially the technology.”
From bustling Beijing to serene temples and iconic landmarks like the Great Wall, the students immersed themselves in a culture that was both unfamiliar and fascinating.
The heart of the trip was a two-week coaching programme, where students taught netball to a wide range of learners from primary school children to university students.
“We coached from Monday to Friday, and on weekends we explored the local sights,” one student shared. “It was amazing to see how quickly the kids picked up the sport, even with the language barrier.”
“We had to rely on body language and demonstrations,” one student explained. “It taught me to be more creative and adaptive in how I communicate.”
The experience taught students more than just coaching techniques. It was a deep dive into cultural exchange, patience, and personal growth.
“Each group of kids learned differently, so every session required a new approach. It made me more flexible and patient” said one student, “it taught me to do things that make you nervous. Even if you don’t feel ready, just going for it can be the best decision.”
When asked what they enjoyed most, the people. “Meeting the girls and showing them how to play netball was the highlight,” one student said. “They all loved it by the end!”
Despite initial nerves, the students returned home with memories to last a lifetime. “It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” one student said. “I’m really glad I went. I didn’t want to leave!”
Netball academy students will have the opportunity to return to China next April to continue coaching in primary schools and with the University.
Coach Clocks Up over a Thousand Miles in Five Days
Charlton Athletic Community Trust coach Richard Styles clocked up over a thousand miles and five cities during his recent spell in China as part of our Summer Football Camp.
As well as coaching the Elite U-18 Girls team at our partner school in Qinhuangdao, Richard also visited the Hebei Sport University in Shijiazhuang, stayed over at the Zhenjding Elite Sports Training Centre, spent time with our partner school in Xingtai, worked as part of the selection panel for Hebei Province’s U-12 boys and girls teams in Langfang before finally rejoining the Elite team for their tournament in Tianjin. He also managed to find some time to fit in the Chinese Super League clash between Beijing Guoan and Tianjin Jinmen Tigers at the Workers’ Stadium.
Richard said ‘ this level of travelling is only possible because of the excellent high speed railway system in China. It was an intensive spell with some unforgettable experiences. I think the highlight was staying overnight at the Zhenjding facility and mixing with athletes representing China in a range of other sports’
