1. 《LIFE+》Magazine
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  3. Spring 2024 Issue
  4. Happy soccer for all
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    19 April 2024
    How far would you go for your family? Sherry Cheung, a soft-spoken and fair-skinned lady who had known nothing about soccer, established the Hong Kong Youth Soccer Academy solely out of her love for her soccer-fan son, Ian. This endeavour gradually evolved into an aspiration to serve the underprivileged, providing children with special needs the opportunities to enjoy themselves on the field.
    Sherry Cheung

    Around 10 years ago, Ian’s passion for soccer was met with indifferences from coaches who only focused on elite students. Disagreeing with this unjust approach, Sherry decided to set up the Academy with the aim of promoting “happy soccer” and “fair learning for joyful growth”. In the second year of operation, she encountered a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) whose parents were unaware of his special needs.

    Typically, children with ASD have shorter attention spans and are more prone to mood swings compared to their peers. Despite her limited knowledge of the disorder at that time, Sherry was determined to keep the 4-year-old. “Education for all is at the core of our principles,” she emphasises. In addition to arranging more attentive coaching for the student, Sherry sought professional advice in a hope to provide the best support possible. Eventually, on her recommendation, the parents had their son assessed and received subsequent support.

    Coincidentally, ASD students kept coming since then, prompting Sherry to contemplate a more tailored programme. Finally, in 2016, Love Soccer was launched to provide specialised training for ASD kids from low income families. The number of beneficiaries has surged from 20+ in the first year to over 120 to date. Since last year, the social inclusion programme, sponsored by Chinachem Group, has offered not only regular training but also parenting seminars hosted by professionals, with the formation of a parent support group in the works. “The time these caretakers spend here means a lot to them,” says Sherry, as she gazes at the parents sitting on the sideline. “For an hour, they can relax, find solace, or support one another. We have to take good care of them too.”

    “Fate had brought these kids to me. I must utilise my effort to make a difference in their lives. That was my calling.”

    Photo: Sherry Cheung and her son Ian

    The positive impact of soccer on ASD children is evident, as stated by James, Head Coach of the Academy since its inception. “After holidays, we consistently received feedback from parents that their kids miss the field. No doubt soccer holds great significance to them.” The students’ passion for soccer has been made possible by the well- trained coaches who genuinely care about inclusive education. “We hope to provide the kids with a sense of achievement on the field,” he adds.

    Photo: James, the head coach of the Academy

    Recently, the coaching team welcomed a new member – Ian, who aspires to follow in his mother’s footsteps by taking concrete actions, including enrolling in a youth coach training course. From being a complete outsider to becoming an active practitioner, Sherry is delighted that her son is always by her side, saying, “He brought me into the soccer world. And through soccer, our relationship has grown closer than ever.”

    Happy soccer for all

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