Amidst the warmth and passion of spring, the 2nd Wellington China Staff-Parents Sports Tournament grandly kicked off on 26th April at Wellington College International Shanghai. This spectacular sports event, bringing together all Wellington campuses in China, was not just a contest of athletic prowess but also an extraordinary celebration that strengthened the bond between schools and families, and demonstrated the warmth of education.
On the green football field, 13 powerful football teams and nearly 150 enthusiastic players engaged in a fierce showdown. The Wellington College Hangzhou Parents Football Team, with their unwavering determination and well-coordinated tactics, stood out from the intense competition and claimed the championship. Every player's valiant efforts on the field not only won the highest honour for the Hangzhou campus but also set an example for all participants with their indomitable sports spirit, writing a legendary chapter for Wellington.
The badminton court was equally exciting. 57 teams and 114 players participated in more than 130 intense matches across four categories. The players swung their rackets with lightning speed. Every leap and smash, every delicate save, illustrated their love and pursuit of the sport. Particularly, two outstanding staff members from the Hangzhou campus, Julie and Jessica, won the women's competitive title with their exquisite skills and remarkable performance, becoming the shining focus on the court.
The significance of this tournament goes far beyond medals and honours. It is a bridge that closely connects staff, parents and pupils, making the sense of cohesion and belonging within the Wellington community even stronger. It is also a vivid practical lesson that allows us to deeply understand the power of teamwork, the spirit of striving for progress and the true educational essence contained in the sports spirit.
As an annual event for Wellington China, this tournament carries our unremitting pursuit of excellence and our beautiful expectations for the future. With great enthusiasm, we look forward to meeting again next year, continuing to write more glories and touching stories, and jointly witnessing the Wellington community marching towards higher and farther goals under the inspiration of the sports spirit!
As the captain of the Wellington College Hangzhou Parents Football Team, leading the team in the 2nd Wellington China Staff-Parents Sports Tournament filled me with emotions and pride.
This tournament gathered many strong teams. Thirteen teams were divided into two groups, and the cruel competition system only allowed the top 2 teams of each group, a total of 4 teams, to advance to the knockout stage. Our team assembled relatively late, and the players had limited time to train. We fell into a difficult situation at the beginning, with 2 wins and 2 losses in the first four games, and our chances of advancing were hanging by a thread. At a critical moment, the coaching staff made a decisive tactical adjustment, and the players quickly adapted. With their tenacious fighting spirit, we won two consecutive games and narrowly secured the last qualifying spot.
In the knockout stage, the challenges became even more formidable. In the semi-final, facing a strong opponent, luck favoured us briefly, and we achieved a thrilling comeback with a 1:0 victory. In the final, our opponent also advanced by eliminating the group leader. The two sides were evenly matched, and the game reached a stalemate. There was no winner in regular time, and finally, it came to an exciting penalty shootout. The players withstood great pressure and, with firm belief and excellent performance, won the championship.
Looking back on the tournament, the players fought 8 consecutive games in a day, staying united and giving their all. Every victory was the result of our sweat and wisdom, and every breakthrough from a desperate situation demonstrated the team's strong resilience. This honour belongs not only to every player but also to our families who supported us and the Wellington College Hangzhou community. We hope that more parents will join us in the future to continue writing our glorious stories on the soccer field!
As the founder of the Wellington College Hangzhou Parents Badminton Club and the captain of the Wellington College Hangzhou Parents Badminton Team in this tournament, I feel honoured to lead four groups of players to Shanghai for the competition: two groups of mixed doubles players competed with all their might, and one group of women's doubles and one group of mixed doubles players started this badminton journey with a joyful atmosphere.
Before the tournament, every player devoted themselves to training with great enthusiasm. During the competition, when unexpected situations occurred, we understood each other and cooperated tacitly, uniting the team with cheers. In the campus of Wellington College International Shanghai, the bright sun, blue sky and green court formed a beautiful scene, and the laughter and cheers of our teammates echoed on the campus for a long time. Although there were many outstanding players in the competition, our team members still stood out with their excellent skills and shone on the court. Although we didn't make it to the final, their fighting spirit has already become the most dazzling medal, and I am extremely proud of every team member!
This competition is not just a sports event but also a bond of emotions, deepening our friendship and igniting our even stronger love for badminton. Here, the Wellington College Hangzhou Parents Badminton Club sincerely invites all members of the school: whether you are a novice or an experienced player, you are welcome to join us! We look forward to fighting side by side with more Hangzhou parents in next year's tournament and jointly writing a new chapter of our glory!
