The China-French LeDong Charity Football Season, a joint initiative by the Beijing LeDong Charity Foundation and Auxerre China, continues to make waves as it reaches its second station with its special football fund established to promote the integration of football culture into schools and help children realize their dreams of playing football.
At the second station, the Jing-Jin-Ji Land Rover New Defender Club participated as a special guest.
On May 30, the event officially kicked off at Gaoling Town Central Primary School in Huludao City, Liaoning Province, just in time for International Children's Day on June 1. The school, a long-time beneficiary of financial support from the ORG Group, provided the perfect setting for this momentous occasion. The event aimed to use football as a bond to bring joy to the children, foster a love for sports, and promote their healthy development – a fitting gift for Children's Day.
On May 29, a dedicated team from the Foundation and skilled football coaches from AJ Auxerre gathered at the Jing-Jin-Ji Land Rover New Defender Club in Beijing. Together, they embarked on a journey to Huludao City, ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of the young participants. Over the course of two days, May 30 and 31, the coaches conducted professional football training for the 63 enthusiastic members of the football team at Gaoling Town Central Primary School.
First Session - Football Culture Class
The session began with an introduction to football jerseys, an indispensable aspect of football heritage. By starting with elements that are both interesting and easily understandable to children, the class fostered a correct understanding of football culture from the outset.
The instructor expertly guided the children through the evolution of football jerseys, highlighting how each jersey's color, stripes, and style reflect the cultural and political history of the team's home city.
Through this engaging and informative science popularization class, the kids were introduced to the world of football using football jerseys as a lens to explore the sport's rich history and cultural impact. The class helped the children understand that football is more than just a game – it is a reflection of the communities and values it represents.
Second Session - Football Skills Class
The second session was designed to provide tailored coaching to the school's 63-member football team. The Chinese coaches from AJ Auxerre led the training session. To ensure that each child received appropriate guidance, the football team was divided into three groups based on grade levels.
Middle grades
Senior grades
Senior grades
The coaches carefully customized lesson plans to replicate the authentic AJ Auxerre youth training system content, taking into account the current skill level of each group.
The training session lasted approximately one hour and consisted of five components: warm-up, technical training, situational training, competitive training, and stretching.
The primary goal of this session was to expose more children to the allure of professional football training. By experiencing firsthand the excitement and challenges of a well-structured training session, the young participants were encouraged to develop a genuine interest in the sport and actively engage in future opportunities to play and improve their skills.
To foster closer relationships between teachers and students, the principal of Gaoling Town Central Primary School invited the teaching team to participate in the school's Children's Day ceremony. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for first and second graders as they joined the Young Pioneers of China, a prominent youth organization.
During the event, the newly inducted Young Pioneers presented red scarves, a symbol of their membership, to representatives from the LeDong Charity Foundation, AJ Auxerre coaching team, and the Jing-Jin-Ji Land Rover New Defender Club. This heartwarming gesture of inclusivity and appreciation was captured in a memorable group photo.
School leaders awarded special appointment letters to three coaches who participated in teaching the school's football team.
As the midday break approached, members of Jing-Jin-Ji Land Rover New Defender Club created a comfortable environment for the children: despite the scorching sun, they set up rooftop tents on their vehicles, providing much-needed shade. The Club members also brought out their guitars and sang classic songs by the beloved band Beyond, treating the children to a unique and impromptu "music class".
In addition, the Club members expressed their goodwill by donating stationery they had purchased to the children through the LeDong Foundation.
Group photo of representatives from all parties.
Zhang Lijiang, Principal of Gaoling Town Central Primary School, awarded a silk banner to the Foundation.
Children's Day serves not only as a celebration for children but also as a crucial reminder for society to prioritize children's rights and promote their healthy growth. The second station of the China-French LeDong Charity Foundation Football Season exemplified this commitment by bringing football culture and professional training to the children of Gaoling Town Central Primary School. By fostering their physical and mental health through the transformative power of sports, the Foundation and its partners aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of these young individuals.
