Mr Richardson's P.E. Blog - TIS: October 2014

If you are looking to keep your child active over the holidays, consider enrolling them on some extra-curricular sports clubs, like the ones below.

SWIMMING

Harry Wright International

This club has infant swimming programmes available (for babies from 4 months up) and Harry Wright International is a Premier Swim Club that hosts swim galas, inter-club meets and fun days. A serious swimming club, Hannah Wilson is a former Harry Wright alumnus who recently represented HK at the London Olympic games.

Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association

Founded in the early 1950’s, the HKASA first took part in the Olympic Games in Helsinki 1952 with four swimmers, and now has over 8,000 registered athletes. They are the sole governing body for all swim sports in HK.

BASKETBALL

Tiny Tots Basketball

Specialists in bringing sports to little ones between 18 months and 5 years, Tiny Tots introduce the basics of basketball through physical play (such as movement coordination and balancing) as well as musical and visual stimulation.

YWCA Basketball

The YWCA offer a wide range of kids’ sports classes, and their Mini Basketball course runs over the whole autumn term for three months. Age-appropriate classes are available for children from Walking up to 4 years.

HORSE RIDING

Clearwater Bay Equestrian and Education Centre

With an emphasis on fun, safe riding and prioritising the welfare of their horses, the CEEC is a great place to experience horse riding in Hong Kong. Catering to all levels of experience, the centre offers lessons in everything from basic riding technique to how to tack your horse, all under strict supervision from one of their experienced instructors. Members can ride regularly throughout the year, whilst non-members tend to ride on weekday mornings and during the school holidays.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Public Riding Schools

Three locations in Tuen Mun, Pokfulam and Lei Yue Mun. Children between ages 6-14 can register for pony riding lessons for HK$305/lesson, and those aged 15 and above can ride with horses for HK$375/lesson. You’ll need to bring your own equipment (although helmets are available for hire at the schools).

Lo Wu Saddle Club

Situated in the rural New Territories near the Mainland border. The combination of peaceful countryside and experienced, BHS qualified instructors makes for a pretty perfect riding session. The Lo Wu Saddle Club was the first independent riding club in Hong Kong with over 50 years of history.

HOCKEY

Hong Kong Football Club Mini Hockey

HKFC Mini Hockey offer basic training, exciting tournaments and lots of fun for Hockey enthusiasts from 6 to 12 years of age. Both professional coaches and parent volunteers are on hand to encourage and teach youngsters this fast-paced sport.

Kai Tak Mini Hockey Club

Every Sunday morning from 9.30 to 11, Lok Fu Pitch hosts the Kai Tak Mini Hockey Club. Suitable for little ones aged 6 to 14, in three age groups. All sessions require parental supervision, so this is a great opportunity for the whole family to get involved.

Kowloon Cricket Club Hockey

The KCC host regular international tournaments and overseas players, making this an opportunity to get involved at a more serious level than your usual interest class. Kids under 12 can play in mini hockey teams which offer the opportunity to take part in a 300-person tournament each year! Serious training continues for kids between 10 and 16 years on their youth teams.

RUGBY

RugBees

RugBees is Asia’s first dedicated rugby programme for pre-schoolers, offering a playful introduction to rugby for children from walking up to 5. Each age-appropriate class introduces key motor and social skills in a non-competitive environment, building confidence. Classes draw on stories, music, play and creative equipment and are themed.

Hong Kong Rugby Football Union

At the HKRFU you’ll find all the rugby training you could want for kids, from Minis (U7s to U12s) to Colts (U14s to U18s).

TinyTots Rugby

Tiny Tots offer classes specifically for budding rugby enthusiasts between 18 months and 5 years old. You’ll find them at various schools and clubs around Hong Kong.

FOOTBALL/SOCCER

Asia Pacific Soccer Schools

With regular classes designed to instil a love of football in both boys and girls from ages 5 to 14, APSS also run an academy programme for advanced level players. Those selected for the academy are coached to a high level, offering the opportunity to try out for the Hong Kong Junior Football League, and progress to the highest levels in the game. My son plays for APSS and I have been very impressed with the efforts of the coaches.

Tiny Tots Soccer

Along with their Basketball and Rugby programmes, Tiny Tots also run soccer school for kids aged 18 months up to 5 years. The soccer continues for kids from 5 to12 years through Olé Soccer School, a year-round academy designed to bring out the fun and skill in soccer for boys and girls.

TENNIS

Hong Kong International Tennis Academy

Offering the much-lauded Monster Tennis programme with specialised children’s equipment and teaching aids, The HKITA aim to develop basic tennis skills in kids between 2-6 years old with a focus on fun.

Hong Kong Tennis Association

HKTA offer in-depth tennis tuition, covering amateur junior players up to those who wish to achieve elite or national level standard. Their Kindergarten Mini-Tennis tour travels around HK to promote the sport amongst 3-6 year olds and is a fun way for schools to get involved with new sport coaching.

Fast-Start Tennis at TennisLife

Fast-Start Tennis has a fun and fully developed structure. Older kids in the programme can also join one of the most comprehensive junior inter-school tennis leagues.

Information adapted from the Sassy Mama website (http://www.sassymamahk.com/).

The sport that we are focusing on for the next 5 weeks is football. For the older children (Years 3-6) I plan on doing the following:

Lesson 1. Re-visit basic rules. Ball control/ familiarization/dribbling Turning and stopping with the ball. Passing - Short and long passing (first touch/receiving the ball) Re-view jobs of attack/mid field/defensive players.

Lesson 2. Passing – pass and move principle. Passing between gates and 2V1 keeping possession activities. Shooting (knee over ball, head down and follow through) 1) static shooting 2) dribble and shoot 3) shoot a moving ball. 2V1 shooting activities with pressure. Provide a target for the defender if they win the ball. good 1^st touch when receiving the ball should be away from pressure.

Lesson 3. Defending. Basic marking. Shielding the ball. 1V 1 and shoot (1 defender in a zoned off section. When the attacker has got through the zone they can shoot). GK skills (balanced stance and high save action). Throw on’s (rules, use of the line, space). Crocodile’s game-3 teams of 4 players, and 3 balls. Each team get one minute in the middle as goalkeepers (they are the crocodiles in river trying to intercept the ball!) Count the number of interceptions. Other 2 teams have to play the balls across the 'river' back and forth.

Lesson 4. Space. Activities that encourage players to spread out. Passing into space and passing with value. End zone attackers must stay in zone. 5V5 full indoor game. Rotate positions. 5V5 Indoor game.