Spring marks the start of many international sporting events, including the Kentucky Derby, PGA US Open, Indianapolis 500, French Open, and Boston Marathon. In Beijing, young athletes can get into the spirit with the city’s many sports programs. Local sports organizations are currently kicking off the spring season with after school activities, weekend practices, community programs, adult teams, and more.
Sports Beijing
Previously known as the Beijing Community Sports and Recreation Committee (BCSRC), Sports Beijing is dedicated to providing recreational and competitive youth sports programs led by professional coaches. The group was created to coordinate the various volunteer-run youth soccer, little league baseball, and junior ice hockey leagues around Beijing. Since then, Sports Beijing has expanded to include gymnastics, tennis, rugby, and more. The organization also works closely with international schools to supplement their after school activities. Programs are designed for participants of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Founding date: 1999
Type: Non-profit organization
Area(s) of operation: Shunyi, Lido, Liangma Qiao, Gongti, Shuangjing, Gaobeidian, Di’anmen
Ages: 3-18, with some adult programs
Cost: Varies according to age, program, and number of sessions. For example, a weekly basketball program for ages 6 to 11 costs RMB 1,700 per child for 16 sessions.
Sports programs: Athletic hybrid training, baseball, basketball, cricket, field hockey, floorball, golf, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, inner tube water polo, judo, karate, kung fu, netball, rhythmic gymnastics, rock climbing, rugby, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, yoga and pilates
Other programs: Drama
Spring programs: Sports Beijing is gearing up with a number of spring programs. Spaces are still available for the following sports:
• Baseball: Ages 4-15
• Basketball: Ages 6-14
• Golf: Ages 4-18 (offered at the Seven Cedars Golf Centre)
• Gymnastics: Ages 6-16
• Ice hockey: Ages 4-14
• Judo: Ages 7-16
• Karate: Ages 6+
• Kung fu: Ages 4-16
• Netball: Ages 9-14
• Rock climbing: Ages 8-16 (offered at the International School of Beijing)
• Rugby: Ages 6-18
• Sailing: Ages 7-16 (offered at the Shunyi Olympic Water Park)
• Soccer: Ages 4-15
• Swimming: Ages 6-12
• Tennis: Ages 4-18
• Yoga and pilates: Ages 16+
How to sign up: Participants can register and sign up for sports programs on Sports Beijing’s website, drop by the office in person, or call to reserve a spot. Sports Beijing staff are present at the start of each program, so parents can also pay at the first class.
English-speaking? Yes, all of Sports Beijing’s programs are offered in English.
Contact: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. 2/F, Lido Country Club, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (6430 1370 /1176, activities@sportsbj.com)
www.sportsbj.com
朝阳区将台路6号丽都乡村俱乐部2层
ClubFootball 万国群星
ClubFootball offers a range of football (soccer) coaching programs for both adults and youth. Their junior courses are open to students from all local and international schools, taking place as after school activities and during the weekend at venues across Beijing and Tianjin. The venues include the International School of Beijing, the British School of Beijing, the International Academy of Beijing, Si’de Park, Chaoyang Park, Zhongguancun, and more. All coaches are certified by the UK’s Football Association or the Union of European Football Associations.
Founding date: 2001
Type: Joint venture
Area(s) of operation: Over 20 venues across Beijing and Tianjin (See website for details)
Ages: All ages. The junior programs target ages 4-18.
Cost: Approximately RMB 900 for a nine-week course (uniform included)
Sports programs: Soccer
Other programs: N/A
Spring programs: ClubFootball’s spring season kicks off throughout April at venues in Haidian, Shunyi, and Chaoyang Districts. Free tester courses are available. For a complete list of host schools and venues, visit ClubFootball’s website. Spring venues include:
• ClubFootball Chaoyang Park Academy: April 7-8 to June 23-24
• ClubFootball Olympic Forest Park: April 7-June 23
• ClubFootball Zhongguancun Academy: April 8-June 24
• MSB ClubFootball Academy: April 7-June 16
How to sign up: Participants can register for courses by logging on to ClubFootball’s website, showing up in person at their office in Jiuxian Qiao, or getting in touch through phone or email.
English-speaking? Yes, all of ClubFootball’s programs are offered in English (with a Chinese assistant coach when needed).
Contact: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Rm A212, Door 3, Zone A1, Zhaowei Huadeng Plaza, Zhaowei Building 51, 14 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (5130 6893/4/5/6, coaching@wanguoqunxing.com)
www.clubfootball.com.cn
朝阳区酒仙桥路14号兆维51号楼兆维华灯大厦A1区3门A212室
Basketball World
Founded by sports events developer Marco Tsang and basketball coach David Gros, Basketball World runs youth basketball programs for nearly 200 students. In cooperation with Sports Beijing, the organization’s programs are broken down into after school activities, community programs, and developmental teams. Their courses are offered at the International School of Beijing, the Canadian International School of Beijing, Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS), Beijing City International School, and Daystar Academy.
Founding date: February 2011
Type: Private enterprise
Area(s) of operation: Shunyi, Liangma Qiao, Lido, Shuangjing
Ages: 7-15, as well as an adult team that meets on Thursdays at CISB
Cost: RMB 75 to 90 per person (depending on the type of program)
Sports programs: Basketball
Other programs: N/A
Spring programs: Though Basketball World’s spring programs have already started, there is still space in the Wednesday and Friday programs. Interested students can register through Sports Beijing. In addition, Basketball World is starting two community programs on Saturdays at BIBS and Daystar.
• Elementary school program: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 6 to 7.30pm
• Middle school program: Fridays and Sundays from 6 to 8pm and 3 to 5pm respectively
How to sign up: Get in touch with Basketball World Assistant Manager Hui Tu at 186 0717 4318 or hui@basketballworld.cn. He speaks English and Chinese.
English-speaking? Yes, most of Basketball World’s coaches are from Europe and North America.
Contact: (186 0717 4318, hui@basketballworld.cn)
This article is excerpted from beijingkids April 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
