“Stars to Shine” Mentorship Programme aims at providing newly retired HK athletes (mentees) with an additional avenue of learning through experience sharing and interaction with seasoned retired famous HK athletes who have successfully developed their second career and gained a wealth of working experience(mentors).
As a retired athlete in team sport, I understand well that "victory is not achieved alone." Just like the "Stars to Shine Mentorship Programme," which has been established for many years, it gathers talented individuals from various fields to unite and strengthen the diverse sports industry, laying an important foundation for the future.
With the attitude of "being both a mentor and a friend, and remaining active even after retirement," I hope everyone embodies this spirit. Through continuous learning and even entrepreneurship during the transition process, we encourage participants to successfully complete their journeys of retirement and transformation.
As the new term is about to begin, I will continue to share insights using the language of sports, helping athletes reconnect with their original aspirations. Together, we will face challenges, embrace new experiences, actively learn, and strive for a more vibrant life, achieving even greater accomplishments!
Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back. To enhance athletes’ academic qualifications for their future career development, HKACED provides wide range of educational supports to athletes, from Scholarship Programmes to consultations and General English Courses.
Knowledge and skills are necessary for athletes to be competitive in our fast-moving and resourceful society. Hence, Life Skills Training Programme is an essential part of the HKACED in creating opportunities to support and enhance athletes’ competitiveness for their next career goal.
In 2023, I was nominated by HKACED through the MOU with The Education University of Hong Kong to study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) Programme. Concurrently, I successfully applied for the HKACED scholarship programme, which has allowed me to pursue my "teaching dream" without hesitation. HKACED provides athletes with comprehensive support, from education scholarships to career training, paving a well-rounded development path for athletes after retirement. This enables me to leverage my experience and knowledge as a former athlete to contribute to the community, and inspire the younger generation to devote themselves to the sports industry.
Since retiring in 2017, I have faced challenges in my transition. However, joining the HKACED sports legacy scheme in 2022 allowed me to connect with coaches from various sports fields, expanding my network and gaining valuable experience. By interacting with diverse groups, I encountered new opportunities. HKACED also regularly organizes workshops to enhance my competitiveness and strengthen my secondary expertise. On my journey to becoming a physiotherapist, the HKACED scholarship programme has alleviated my financial burden, enabling me to focus more on my studies. In the future, I aspire to become a competent physiotherapist, serve the community, and fulfill my intention of helping others.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to HKACED for nominating me for the "Ontario eSchool Athlete Scholarship Program". As an elite table tennis student-athlete in Hong Kong, this support has been greatly assisting in my academic and athletic development. The online learning mode increases flexibility, allowing me to better balance training and study, and eliminate the impact of training and competition on my academics. Additionally, the scholarship alleviates financial pressure, enabling me to devote more time on training. This honor is both an affirmation and a spur for me to work diligently in my studies and athletic pursuits, to live up to everyone's trust and expectations.
I am deeply grateful for the support from the HKACED "Ontario eSchool Athlete Scholarship Programme", as it has helped me overcome the difficulties of balancing my studies and training. The tight schedule of traditional schooling in the past made it challenging to strike a balance between academics and football, which caused me so much stress. However, after transferring to Ontario eSchool, the flexible study schedule has allowed me to make progress in both my studies and training, giving me extra time to dedicate to additional training. Thanks to HKACED's educational scholarship programme, I can now fully commit myself and work towards higher goals without any worries.
Since 2019, I have been studying nursing in a part-time program. Throughout this time, juggling the roles of a student, part-time athlete, and full-time nurse, I have constantly worried about tuition fees and time management every semester. The high cost of living in Hong Kong has added an invisible pressure on me, affecting my mental state and athletic performance. Fortunately, last year, the HKACED optimized the education scholarship program. This not only relieved my financial concerns on my learning journey but, more importantly, significantly reduced my psychological burden, allowing me to feel more relaxed and at ease both on the field and in my professional career.
I sincerely appreciate the trust and support from the HKACED, providing funding through the education scholarship programme that has enabled me to successfully pursue a Master’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature. This Scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies, enhance myself, and fully unleash my potential. I will strive to study hard and live up to expectations, aiming to become a qualified primary school teacher in both physical education and Chinese language. I am dedicated to giving back to the society and the sports community.
As an elite triathlon student athlete in Hong Kong, in addition to pursuing excellence on races, it is also important to maintain good academic performance to lay a solid foundation for future career. I have always hoped to study at a university abroad to broaden my horizons and be connected with the world. Of course, several top universities in Ontario, Canada are among my top choices. The science and aviation programme of University of Waterloo is my first priority. I accidentally learned about the athlete scholarship program by HKACED and Ontario eSchool. As a student-athlete, I can focus on training while also taking care of my studies without financial pressure to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). To make it easier to connect to courses from various universities in Ontario and increase the chance of enrolment.
Participating in HKACED Ambassador Programme's activities has been a meaningful and unforgettable experience. As an ambassador, I not only carry the mission of promoting the spirit of sports, but I also feel the positive energy and impact that sports bring. After being a full-time table tennis athlete for 17 years, I have always focused on training and competitions. Now, at the end of my sports career, I am very happy to engage in more promotional activities in the community and connect with students to share my experiences.
During these activities, I met many passionate students, some of whom aspire to become professional athletes, which left a strong impression on me. I hope my story can inspire them to bravely pursue their dreams. Participating in HKACED Ambassador Programme's activities has also helped me improve my communication skills, allowing me to find confidence through interaction with students. I gradually learned how to share my sports experiences and insights in a simple and understandable way, and I tried to convey the spirit of sports in a more engaging and interesting manner. I hope to inspire more of the next generation to get involved in sports.
I studied mechanical engineering in the university and learned from HKACED for the MTR Graduate Trainee Programme. Being a graduate engineer in MTR, my job is to ensure the train safety by carrying out the inspection and maintenance work carefully. I have a strong dedication to my job.
Sherman was successfully employed by BOCHK as a Management Trainee through HKACED’s referral. “I am grateful for HKACED and BOCHK both attach great value to Hong Kong athletes and their staunch supports. Through the crossroads of life, I laid down my bow and arrows and waved goodbye to the stadium where on I fell, triumphed and endeavored. The MT program of BOCHK becomes my next stage to sweat and shine. Nurtured under an all-rounded professional training, facing obstacles and challenges that lie ahead, I’m ready to keep my eyes on target and make every shot count as they did yesterday.”
After retiring with a gold medal won at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, I participated in RATP and was successfully matched with SF&OC Sports Legacy Company Limited (SLCL). I hopes to leverage my identity as a retired athlete to give back to the sport industry and continue supporting the development of sports in Hong Kong. Like other retired athletes, I had to adapt to a change in athletic identity and the workplace. I am grateful to have a team that guides me well and shows tolerance towards me at work. The RATP team has also been supportive and provided advice when I felt confused. During my time at SLCL, my mainly responsibility have been administration work, such as procurement, managing the coaching team, and liaison tasks. This experience has enriched my work
experience for my future transformation.
After retiring, I considered transitioning into a teaching career. Therefore, I chose to work as a SSPC, which helped me understand the working environment, culture, patterns, and structure of schools. During my three-year tenure, I made good use of the school environment to organize various sports activities, encouraging students to play and try different sports. At the same time, I took advantage of my time to actively pursue further education, enriching my qualifications and enhancing my competitiveness in the workplace.
Dare to try and strive for the best in doing everything well is my working motto. It has allowed me to receive different job opportunities in the past three years. Leaving my comfort zone and gaining different experiences have brought me to another stage. I do looking forward to my new position in Sports Park Sai Sha, and I am ready for the new challenges. All beneficiaries who are looking for transformation should seize the opportunities, dare to try, and try their best to do everything well.
I participated in the RATP after retired as a boxing athlete. I am now working as a School Sports Promotion Coordinator for The Methodist Lee Wai Lee College. I am interested in working at school because I can promote boxing to students. It is sincerely hoped that boxing can bring enjoyment to students so as to change their inherent impression on boxing. Students can train up their fitness and sportsmanship through boxing, and explore their talent and interest in sports. On the other hand, handling administration work, communicating and maintaining good relationships with students are the difficulties that I have to overcome. Learning from experienced supervisor and colleagues are necessary.
I was successfully employed as the coordinator of sports promotion for Sing Yin Secondary School through the ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’ after my retirement. The programme gave me better insight on how to organize and facilitate the promotion of a sporting event, as well as the necessary administrative processes. Working on campus also allowed me to interact with younger students, giving me the opportunity to enhance their sports performance, abilities and most importantly, interests. Moreover, the RATP has provided me with various professional training courses that has helped increase my competitiveness in the current society.
I have taken part in the ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’ after my athletic retirement, the programme has given me the chance to work as a director of sports promotion at Queen Elizabeth School. I was able to promote my sport of Triathlon within the school, allowing for more students to understand and appreciate the sport and the values o perseverance strongly associated with the event of Triathlon.
Having worked at the Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) for nearly a year, which aligns with my expectations for working in a sports organization, my current job is challenging and diverse. My most memorable experience is certainly assisting in the preparation of the Hong Kong Sevens. Being part of the organizing team for one of Hong Kong's major sporting events is a rare and valuable opportunity. Additionally, the programme offers a series of on-the-job training courses to help athletes improve their work and communication skills, which has made my work much more effective. I really enjoy my current job.
Besides promoting sports at the school as an athlete, I also contribute as an alumna, passing on the torch and contribute back to my alma mater. I am mainly responsible for planning, organising, and executing various sports activities, assisting with sports-related administrative works, and managing the logistics of sports teams. The most memorable event was the five-day ‘Sports for All Week,’ which encouraged teachers and students to participate in sports by introducing newly-emerged sports; even the school janitors enjoyed it. Lastly, I am grateful for Principal CHENG's wholehearted support and trust, and for the guidance from Ms. WONG, the supervisory teacher, who helped me quickly adapt to the workplace and engage with my alma mater as a staff member.
" "Don't be afraid of being late." I think athletes, with their perseverance and hard work, can re-learn and adapt to areas other than their own training, creating a new page in life.” HKACED's athlete employment and education consulting services provided athletes with diverse training courses, study, employment counseling and opportunities. Cheng Tsz-man Chris had received HKACED’s athlete consulting services to understand his individual needs, discuss the development of academic studies, and assist him to prepare himself for the future.
With the support of HKACED, WONG Wan-yiu was able to re-commence her studies after having joined various of careers and life skills training courses post-HKACED consultation. “Although I have only returned to school and have transitioned into a new career in my late 20s; but it has definitely been an opportunity that could not be missed, as I have always learned to strive for the best as an athlete and to treasure every opportunity given.”
Sinney, first consulted the HKACED in 2014, and had begun to think about retiring from the National Baseball Team. “HKACED had helped me a great deal through its consultation process, I was offered a chance to be part of the HKACED Ambassador Programme; this programme not only gave me the opportunity to learn more about other sports as an Elite Athlete Ambassador, but most importantly I was able to pass on and share my passion of Baseball at the same time.” These programmes have assisted the transition development of Sinney, providing her an opportunity to experience different roles of job duties as an ambassador and she has gained a deeper understanding of herself and her future career direction as well.