TPM #291: Youth Sport in China
How another country does youth sport will open some eyes.
Good morning and welcome to edition #291.
My business background has me constantly looking at how things are done outside our organization, industry and direct area of focus. I have found this most helpful in building teams and systems that are focused on customer service, efficiency and performance.
In business, there are tons of examples of how to do and not to do things. A major requirement is we need to take our blinders off, reduce the ego and insecurity in being vulnerable enough to honestly assess what can be improved and how. Measure, improve and re-assess.
A culture of performance has always energized me. Performance with a focus on health and wellness is the trifecta in my books.
With some world travel to Asia on my plate and lots of time in airports and on planes, I thought I would look at how some others do youth sport.
Let’s start with China.
Why China? Well, I have an invitation to visit Shanghai and I am curious.
Let’s dig in. (Each category has some detailed information in the links.)
The basics:
China's youth sports model is characterized by a combination of government investment, a focus on developing physical fitness, and a variety of sports available to young people.
Government investment
The Chinese government has invested heavily in sports to improve public health and become a world leader in Olympic sports. The government has also built more sports facilities to encourage more youth to participate.
Sports as a way to develop life skills
Sports in China are seen as more than just a way to win or lose. They are also a way to develop essential life skills like discipline, collaboration, and empathy.
From the linked article:
In China, children's sports hold significant importance. Sports in our country encompass more than just winning and losing; they reflect the nation's history and its aspirations for the future. In addition to enhancing their physical fitness, Chinese adolescents engaged in organized sports are also shaping their legacies, moulding their personalities, and acquiring the skills needed for success in the contemporary world. People worldwide recognize that sports provide a well-rounded education that helps children develop essential life skills such as perseverance, discipline, collaboration, and empathy. As we delve into this investigation, we acknowledge that a myriad of factors naturally influences the dynamics of youth sports in China. Youth sports participation is heavily influenced by elements such as the frequency and intensity of participation, parental and peer involvement, and the availability of sports facilities. Equally important in understanding this multifaceted relationship is young athletes' self-esteem and the support and encouragement they receive from their loved ones.
I don’t know about you, but sentences like “acquiring the skills needed for success in the contemporary world”, and “youth sport participation is influenced heavily by parental involvement and availability of sports facilities” make me want to stand up and cheer!
A major concern in the western world is the reduced access to sport, either because of the high cost or the lack of infrastructure (or a combination of both).
A variety of sports
Today's China offers a wider range of sports than previous generations, including skiing and surfing. Ice hockey, climbing, snowboarding?
The traditional staples of gymnastics and others are being replaced by this new wave of sports development into skills that are none traditional. How these are supported is fascinating.
Sports in schools
The Chinese government has amended its Sports Law to prioritize physical education (PE) in schools and to integrate PE with other subjects. Sports scores are also included in middle school entrance exams.
This is in direct contrast to what is happening in most of Canada, and North America where government agencies have reduced and marginalized physical education in the schools. This is a topic that I am very, very familiar with and have addressed in past editions of TPM.
The impact of such reduction has been devastating on our mental and physical health. In contrast, here is a model that takes a reverse approach. A sports law that prioritizes physical education in schools. Interesting use of government funds?
This is a law, and we are not talking about elite athletic programs only.
Sports schools
China has a sports school system that has been in place since 1955. These schools train athletes who want to pursue a career in sports. According to the General Administration of Sports, in 2022, there were 2,196 such schools. In recent years, the system has sent an average of 4,000 people to outstanding sports teams annually.
From the linked article:
In 2023, the number of sports venues across the country reached 365,900, an increase of 8.7% compared to 2022. The sports area per capita increased to 2.89 m² in the country. For comparison, in 2013, there were 12.45 venues for every 10,000 inhabitants, and the area per capita was 1.46 m². Even so, China considers the current figure low compared to countries like Japan, whose area is 19 m².
If we think that the Chines are only focused on winning medals, dig into the above link. That is not their stated goal. They state that they care how hard the athletes work, how much effort they put into competing and representing the nation. That sounds like sound goals for opportunities via this avenue.
No model is perfect, I am sure this one has flaws and challenges. However, a glimpse of another country’s model shines a light on what could be better.
Hope you enjoyed this edition, and there are lots of links if you want go down this rabbit hole!