The Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC) and the China School Sports Federation (CSSF) are China’s national associations for university and school sports, operating under the Ministry of Education.

FUSC/CSSF are seeking UK partners with the capacity to design, deliver and manage 3-month study programme for a total of 180 Chinese coaches from schools and universities in China to visit the UK and learn about football coaching and management. They expect to work with one or more UK partners, with each of them hosting small groups from the total of 180 Chinese coaches.

Background

In March 2015, China’s State Council released an overall reform plan to boost the development of football in the country. According to the plan, football should be taught in PE classes in primary and middle schools across the country. More school hours will be allocated to football education. China aims to increase the number of schools with strengths in football to 20,000 by 2020 and 50,000 by 2025, from the current number of 5,000. Meanwhile, 50,000 full-time and part-time football coaches will be trained by 2020. The plan aims for football to be the cornerstone to realising China’s dream of improving its overall national performance in football.

At the UK-China Education Summit and High-Level People-to-People Dialogue in September 2015, a new agreement was reached between the UK and Chinese governments to work together in developing sports education, including new collaborations on sports policy, study programmes to the UK to learn about football coaching and management, and the development of a joint accreditation in football coaching for PE teachers.

Scope

1)    Objectives

The study programme aims to use the UK’s expertise and resources to help football coaches from Chinese schools and universities to achieve the following:

-       learn about the UK’s approach to football management,

-       improve their technical skills and theoretical knowledge,

-       develop their capacity for training young people and increasing China’s football competitiveness.

2)    Programme elements

The 3-month programme should include:

A.    Indoor and outdoor training sessions during week days, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects of football training. Examples:

a.    Theoretical foundations for basic football training.

b.    Essential knowledge to master football training.

c.    Psychological aspects of football training.

d.    Training project: improving physical performance

e.    The role of the coach

f.     Knowledge of organisational structures, including visits to professional football training centres and others

g.    Field applications

h.    Sociological approaches to sports activities

B.    Visits to local schools, football academies and clubs

3)    Participant profile

There are 180 football coaches, with half from high schools (student age: 15-18) and half from universities (student age: 18+). All of them meet the following criteria:

-       Hold a bachelor degree or above

-       Have more than three years’ experience as a football coach or assistant coach for a school or university football team

-       Have a basic understanding and knowledge of exercise physiology, athletic psychology, and sociology

-       Have previously engaged in training provided by the FUSC/CSSF in China

4)    Programme period

The study programme should be three months in length, preferably during the summer or autumn. 

5)    Budget

The budget the FUSC/CSSF has set for overseas study programmes in other EU countries is included here for reference:

Tuition fees:                          £3,000 per participant for three months

Living expenses:                  £3,000 per participant for three months

Timescale

Please note, this timescale may be subject to change.