The Century-Old School Cup | The "Football Gentlemen" of Xuejun Primary School, an Educational Exploration in Chinese Football

Written by/ Zuo Rui Traditionally, the term "gentleman" is synonymous with being refined and courteous; however, Xuejun Primary School in Hangzhou (hereafter referred to as Xuejun Primary) has redefined "gentleman." In the second "Century-Old School Cup" held in Qidong, this team displayed a strong will to win, with the cheers of "Xuejun! Fight!" ringing out loudly. Even when facing opponents who could easily overpower them, they gave their all and faced the challenges calmly.

According to observations and interviews conducted by the "Football" newspaper, the concept of "Football Gentlemen" stems from Xuejun Primary's 117 years of educational heritage and is rooted in over 60 years of vibrant campus football practice.

As a unique school-based curriculum, "Football Gentlemen" has been recognized as a premium course in Hangzhou and a model course in basic education in Zhejiang Province. As a paradigm aimed at developing children's hearts, it has influenced numerous football players who graduated from Xuejun Primary. As a cultural concept, it enriches educational resources and campus culture while also making valuable attempts to refine and promote football culture.

In the first round of the group stage, Xuejun Primary easily defeated Kunming Shulin Primary School 4-0, but in the second round, they faced a ruthless blow from Nanning Taohuayuan Primary School. Most of these young players from Hangzhou are in the fourth and fifth grades, and against older, physically stronger, and more skilled opponents, their efforts seemed almost futile. However, throughout the match, head coach Zhang Zhuo continuously communicated strategies for defense, encouraging confrontation, and enhancing movement. Near the end of the match, team leader Li Zhihua even shouted from the sidelines, "No matter how many we lose, the result is the same; we must strive to score one!"

In the final round of the group stage against Hefei Normal School No. 2, the team was similarly on the back foot. However, after falling behind by one goal, Xuejun Primary managed to equalize and earned a chance for a penalty shootout. After determining the penalty takers and order based on the players' preferences, Li Zhihua remarked, "We lost first and then drew; we played a perfect match and gained a rare penalty opportunity. This match is incredibly valuable."

Losing in the penalty shootout was disappointing. Number 20, Wu Jinkai, wiped away tears but quickly composed himself and joined the team for stretching in the shade. The team's top scorer, number 39, Chen Yuhao, hit the post with his penalty kick. He told the coach that perhaps he shouldn't have been the first to take it, saying, "I find that when I kick later, my chances of scoring are much higher."

After returning to the dormitory, Li Zhihua opened his computer to showcase the "Football Gentlemen" presentation created with colleagues from the school's sports department. This course was developed within the school's "Child Heart Curriculum System" framework, designed to meet students' personalized development, expand their knowledge, and enrich their emotions. It consists of 16 class hours, including 12 theoretical classes and 4 activity classes, with the team's four weekly training sessions serving as practical supplementary hours.

The 16 theoretical classes are divided into three teaching units: "Normative and Courteous," "Resilient and Strong," and "Warm-hearted and Caring," which collectively define the main essence of "Football Gentlemen."

The first unit includes four topics: "Football Rules Expert," "Court Etiquette Ambassador," "Sports Protection Specialist," and "Event Organization Pro." The goal is to guide players through teaching, discussions, and practical training—encouraging them to showcase their football skills and officiate matches within the rules; to conduct themselves with civility and respect during games; to engage in football activities safely and respond correctly to common sports injuries; and to design and organize basic football events.

The second unit's topics are "Perseverance," "Courage to Overcome the Strong," "Miraculous Comebacks," and "The Charisma of Legendary Captains." Examples such as Zhejiang captain Cheng Jin, who was selected for the national team at 29 after over a decade of hard work, and Argentina's Messi, who faced numerous setbacks before lifting the World Cup trophy, as well as the "Greek Myth" of the 2004 European Championship and the "Danish Fairy Tale" of 1992, are included. The stories of the 20th Women's Asian Cup where the Chinese women's team made a comeback to win, as well as the leadership and influence of national team captains Fan Zhiyi and Wu Haiyan, are all part of the materials presented alongside classic stories from the school's football history and real-life accounts of past players.

The third unit's topics include "Unity and Cooperation," "Heartfelt Care," "Glorious History," and "Memorable Graduation Ceremonies." Through the stories of the Spanish national team, Atletico Madrid, and Manchester City, as well as the legendary experiences of Eriksen and Drogba, the struggles of "Over a Century of Xuejun, Half a Century of Football," and the annual "Football Family Graduation Welcome Ceremony" hosted by the school, players learn about typical teamwork and humanistic care in the global football scene, as well as the historical achievements and precious heritage of the school's football development.

To achieve the football education goals of adhering to rules, fair competition, resilience in the face of difficulties, and fostering mutual respect and self-confidence, the cases in the presentation are continuously updated, and the theory and practice of "Football Gentlemen" are constantly refined.

In the second round of the group stage, the relatively smaller number 5, Tu Jiayu, was knocked down by an opponent and cried out in pain. However, through his own judgment and intervention by the team doctor, he returned to the game without leaving the field. The goalkeeper, number 1, Zhang Qianhao, who often had to endure scrapes and bumps, would actively seek out the team doctor for iodine to treat his wounds after making several successful saves. This reflects the learning outcomes of "Sports Protection Skills." Taking care of oneself and showing concern for others is also a mark of gentlemanly conduct.

To achieve the goal of strengthening the team, Xuejun Primary did not assign sixth-grade players to participate in this competition. Consequently, the team faced two challenging matches in the group stage, but their fighting spirit and character were elevated through practical experience. Even after losing to Hefei Normal School No. 2 and finishing third in their group without advancing, the players remained optimistic, with captain number 2, Chen Xinyu, promptly inquiring about their next opponent.

Li Zhihua informed this newspaper that all the players participating in the competition in Qidong came from the school's Qiuzhi campus, which is only two kilometers from Huanglong Sports Center. The children not only attend matches to watch the Zhejiang team play, but some also voluntarily sign up for Zhejiang FC's summer camps or short training sessions during vacations, allowing them to take photos with Cheng Jin at the Zhongtai base and meet the stars discussed in the "Football Gentlemen" classroom, which serves as great motivation for the kids.

The annual graduation farewell ceremony for the football family is also a unique tradition of Xuejun Primary’s football team, with two to three hundred participants each year, including alumni who graduated 40 years ago. Since primary school graduation typically occurs before the middle school summer vacation, some former teammates who have moved on to middle school often find themselves busy with final exams during the farewell ceremony. In such cases, some parents of former teammates will actively attend the event. This deeply touches Li Zhihua, who believes it signifies "the inheritance of football spirit and the continuation of team culture."