From a professional player to a teacher within the system, his transformation is both perfect and inspirational.

Reporters Wang Wei and intern Li Xin reported On July 16, during the second "Centenary Famous School Cup" high school football tournament, the host Guangzhou University Affiliated Nansha Experimental Middle School (hereinafter referred to as Guangfu Nanshi) defeated the Hongqiao Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone Hong Kong and Macau Student Team 3-2, achieving their first victory. The head coach, Zhuang Jiade, was very pleased. This coach, who once excelled in professional leagues during his playing days, now also serves as a physical education teacher within the system. From the professional football field to the school classroom, Zhuang Jiade's transformation is both perfect and inspirational.

Born in 1995, Zhuang Jiade began his football journey in his hometown of Zhanjiang, Guangdong, leaving his mark on teams such as Zhanjiang, Guoan Youth Team, Meixian Iron Man, Beikong, and Beijing Sport University Football Team. While with the Guoan Youth Team, he was a teammate of Barton.

As a child, Zhuang Jiade suffered a fracture while playing football, and his family initially forbade him from continuing. However, he had a dream at that time, saying, "I had already fallen in love with football; it had taken root in my heart. If they didn't let me play, I would definitely be unhappy."

At the age of 11, recommended by a friend of his youth coach, Zhuang Jiade entered the Guoan Youth Team through a trial (shown in the picture as number 21), playing as a full-back and winning the national U18 league championship with the team.

In 2013, at the age of 18, Zhuang Jiade faced a turning point. After failing to make the first team, he moved between teams such as Meixian Iron Man, Beikong, and Beijing Sport University, always pursuing his dream and eager to showcase himself on a higher platform.

At the end of 2019, the wheels of fate changed. After his contract with the club expired and due to the pandemic, Zhuang Jiade's search for a new team was not smooth. At that time, many clubs were disbanding, and some teams could not afford to pay salaries. With no other choice, he decided to retire and became a youth training coach in Guangzhou.

Having lived alone in Beijing since childhood, Zhuang Jiade became accustomed to a "drifting" lifestyle. Besides training, he would read books—not just leisure reading. Moreover, during his time in professional leagues, he decided to pursue a university education and was admitted to Meizhou Jiaying University, where he met his mentor, Li Rui. Encouraged by his mentor, he obtained a teaching qualification certificate.

It was precisely this teaching qualification certificate that linked Zhuang Jiade to football education inextricably.

In 2021, Zhuang Jiade stumbled upon a job listing for a temporary physical education teacher at Guangzhou Foreign Language School in Nansha (hereinafter referred to as Guangzhou Foreign School) and decided to give it a try, marking the beginning of his transformation journey.

After becoming a temporary teacher at Guangzhou Foreign School, the physical education teachers around him, especially Cao Zhida, who mentored him, advised him to consider taking the civil service exam if he wanted to deepen his career in education.

From 2021 to 2024, during his three years of substitute teaching, Zhuang Jiade worked hard to learn and prepare lessons, traveling to Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan to participate in civil service examinations for physical education teachers, totaling at least a dozen attempts. "There is a teaching demonstration segment in the interview that requires us to showcase classroom management and teaching abilities, which is more exhausting for those of us accustomed to tactical boards than playing a full match; it's indeed not easy."

Hard work pays off; ultimately, after passing through numerous selections, Zhuang Jiade was admitted to Guangfu Nanshi in September 2024, becoming a physical education teacher within the system.

For professional athletes, transitioning to a physical education teacher through examination is no small feat.

"Many professional athletes lack a university degree, and a significant number do not have a teaching qualification certificate, which poses a challenge for transformation. However, as long as one has this mindset and plans a development path, transformation is entirely possible!" Zhuang Jiade stated.

In fact, Zhuang Jiade's transformation experience serves as encouragement for some professional football players.

Reflecting on his role change, Zhuang Jiade felt deeply, "When I was in a professional team, a lot of people surrounded me, with team doctors and managers serving me. Being a physical education teacher is different; I must teach students practical football knowledge and skills, enabling them to learn useful sports skills at school."

Regarding why he chose to become a physical education teacher, Zhuang Jiade explained that after he could no longer play football, he wanted to continue contributing to the sport in another capacity. "Having spent so long in a professional team, I hope to bring what I have learned into the campus, allowing students to acquire football techniques and sports skills, achieve success, and experience the joy that football brings."

From youth training coach to a temporary physical education teacher at Guangzhou Foreign School, and then to being accepted into Guangfu Nanshi, Zhuang Jiade has remained rooted in the front line of youth football in Nansha. He deeply understands the concept of "Nansha, a young city attracting young people," stating, "Nansha's receptiveness to talent is excellent; it is this inclusiveness that has made me consistently choose Nansha as a place where dreams can be realized."

Guangfu Nanshi is located in Hengli Town, Nansha District, and was established in September 2019. It adheres to the philosophy of "Building a sound personality starts with sports; a beautiful campus begins with sports," emphasizing the important role of sports in education. It also insists on a dual-track approach of "cultural foundation + professional empowerment," developing football as a key feature of the school’s sports program.

Principal Chen Wenxue is a football enthusiast who organizes football matches for faculty and staff in his spare time, and every year he arranges football interactions between the school and students' parents. "With strong support from Ouyang Jianhua, a member of the district committee and head of the publicity department, we at Guangfu Nanshi are fortunate to represent Guangzhou Nansha in this 'Centenary Famous School Cup' competition. I am grateful to Principal Chen Wen and Head of Physical Education Department Xi Jun for their encouragement of the football team," Zhuang Jiade remarked.

Additionally, Zhuang Jiade expresses deep gratitude to the Nansha District Committee, District Government, District Cultural, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, and District Education Bureau for creating this opportunity for the team. He also thanks Teacher Kuang Jianlin from the District Education Bureau for his dedication to the team, allowing them to learn from century-old famous schools across the country and recognize their own gaps, thus motivating them to work harder. The first victory has greatly encouraged him and the team.

Teacher Ruan Jinhui (shown in the picture) is the leader of the Guangfu Nanshi football team, and he has provided Zhuang Jiade with ample confidence and support. Now, the two plan to start training from elementary school, participating in various competitions, focusing on honing skills during the three years of middle school, and competing in provincial and national competitions in high school, enabling students to obtain athlete certificates through competitions for more opportunities.

"Students without athlete certificates can enter universities through physical education entrance examinations, while those with certificates can enter better universities through sports admission." Zhuang Jiade's ambitions extend beyond this, "I also hope that in the future, Nansha can compete in city sports meets or city championships, with the Guangfu Nanshi football team as the foundation. I hope our school will be included in the pilot schools for youth football talent cultivation reform in Guangzhou, attracting more outstanding players to join our school, and through professional training, cultivate even more excellent athletes."

Zhuang Jiade has many thoughts on campus football; he believes that it must start at the grassroots level, with good training, participation in competitions, and achieving ideal rankings, allowing children to gain more confidence and opportunities in football.

From a professional player to a physical education teacher within the system, Zhuang Jiade's transformation journey is full of challenges. However, with his passion for football and relentless effort, he continues to advance in this new field, contributing to the development of youth football and campus football in Nansha District.