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Healthy Children's Pursuits Offered by Sports Beijing

ountless expatriate as well as some Chinese parents in the capital have cause to be grateful to Sports Beijing (SB) for the way it continues to provide facilities and training for their children in numerous healthy activities a positive counter to the youngsters falling into bad company out of boredom.

SB, a community based non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality sports and recreational programs to expatriate youth in the city, is the only local non-profit children's sports community. In the last six months or so alone it has recruited almost 900 participants, compared with 850 in 1999-2000, and 1,276 in 2000-2001. The total in 2001-2002 was 1,475.

Courses provided include baseball, ballet, basketball, chess, dancing, volleyball, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, martial arts, riding, "roots and shoots" rugby, scuba diving, scouting, soccer, swimming and tennis. Such a wide range does, of course, require a host of coaches and teachers, but according to SB director Catherine Finch, there is no shortage of competent volunteers.

She said they come from two sources, one being local professional circles such as the reputable Shichahai Sports School, the other the ranks of enthusiastic expatriates. Numerous parents also offer their services in teaching basic skills in, for example, soccer. Exercise and competition venues are also from two sources-international schools such as ISB and WAB, and rented gymnasiums.
Whatever the activity they choose, children are classified into team age groups. Every team has its own uniform and sponsors, with SB providing all necessary equipment for the benefit of all, be the sport soccer or basketball. Individual items of equipment, for example baseball bats and tennis rackets, are the children's own responsibility.

SB gives high priority to safety in all activities, so in the event of accidents they can call on three international clinics which are their cooperative partners. Many bumps and bruises are avoided because of the vigilance of parents who like to watch their youngsters at play.

Sports Beijing's mission statement says: "We provide safe, wholesome, organized and well-staffed activities that invite involvement, develop social and physical skills and keep the youth of Beijing entertained after school and on weekends. While our programs are designed to meet the needs of the expatriate community, Chinese children are welcomed into all programs."