Summary

The British Council invites UK universities to participate in the fifth annual 'UK-China University Sports Week' which will be held in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province in May 2019. The opportunity will provide a platform for the selected UK institution to raise its sporting profile in China, develop links with the Federation of University Sports of China, whilst providing students and staff with a unique sporting exchange opportunity.
 

Opportunity

1. The Federation of University Sports of China and the British Council are now seeking two university 7-a-side rugby teams (one men’s team and one women’s team) to participate in the “UK-China University Sports Week” exchange programme in May in Zhuhai, Guangdong province in south China.

The teams can come from the same or different UK institutions. Each team is expected to consist of no more than 15 people, including coaches and support staff. In the one-week-long exchange programme, the two teams will participate in activities including two or three friendly rugby matches with Chinese university teams, as well as networking activities among students and cultural visits. UK teams will need to cover their own cost for visas, travel insurance and international flights from the UK to Zhuhai. The Federation of University Sports of China will cover costs for accommodation, catering, local transportation, training, matches and visit programmes throughout the week. 

2. The Federation of University Sports of China and the British Council are also seeking one UK institution to host a visit in August 2020 by one Chinese university 7-a-side rugby team (one men’s or women’s). The entire delegation will consist of no more than 30 people. The UK host institution is expected to plan and manage a five-day-programme (arrival and departure day excluded) of activities, such as friendly matches with host teams, training, networking activities with local students and cultural visits.

The Federation of University Sports of China will cover the cost for the teams' visas, travel insurance, international flights, accommodation and meals in the UK. The host UK university is expected to cover any cost incurred from running the visit programme, such as venue costs for matches and training, domestic transportation and tickets for cultural visits, etc. 

Applications for the above two opportunities will be considered separately. Universities can choose to apply for either one or both opportunities.

Benefits

• Position your university as a leading institution in UK-China sports education exchange
• Build relationships with the Federation of University Sports of China, the solely authorised national university sport development organisation under the Ministry of Education
• Build relationships with Chinese universities with strength in sports and sports education
• Raise your universities brand profile in China amid the rapid rise and popularisation of rugby in the country - the rugby-themed exchange will draw attention from Chinese sports authorities, media and the general public
• Provide your students and staff with an unforgettable experience that allows them to meet new friends, compete and learn from each other on the pitch, and build an in-depth understanding of China and Chinese young people.

About the “UK-China University Sports Week”

The “UK-China University Sports Week” initiative was agreed as an education outcome of the UK-China High Level People-to-People Dialogue: a key pillar in the UK-China relationship, celebrating links between the two peoples through culture, education, tourism and sport.

The joint initiative was developed in 2015 by the Federation of University Sports of China and the British Council and aims to deepen and expand collaborations and exchanges between the two countries in the field of university sport.

Since 2015, three men’s and three women’s university rugby teams from the UK have participated in the “University Sports Week” respectively in Beijing (2015), Xiamen (2016), Zhuhai (2017) and Xi’an (2018).
 

About the Federation of University Sports of China

The Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC) was founded in 1975 under the administration of China’s Ministry of Education. A member of the All-China Sports Federation (ACSF), Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF) and International University Sports Federation (FISU), the FUSC is the solely authorised national organisation for university sport.

The main roles of the FUSC are promoting participation of sport among university students in China; organising national university sports events; promoting international exchanges with university sports associations; and assisting China’s participation in international university sports events and exchanges.

How to participate

UK institutions interested in this opportunity should complete the attached application form and return it to Nancy Long, Education Programme Manager of the British Council China at nancy.long@britishcouncil.org.cn by 8 February 2019 (12 noon GMT).

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