Communication is one of the most important skills in society nowadays. Athletes with good communication skills would assist them in bringing out their full talent. “I have joined the “MC and TV Presentation Skills” and “Presentation Skills” trainings held by HKACED and I have learned to express myself clearly and adopt various communication skills for different occasions.”

“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.”

RATP offers athlete a transformation period to enter and adopt the working environment. Not only the programme provides job opportunities, it also offers education subsidy for athletes to equipment themselves, which helps to boost our competitiveness.

The School arranged a teacher as my mentor, and provided a flexible working environment. My mentor would provide assistance and suggestions, and organise review meetings with me to help me excel at work. At the role of SSPC, I could understand more about the operation and administration of school and teaching pedagogy, which plays an important role in my successful transformation.

Through the support of HKACED’s RATP, I was able to overcome my hesitancies after athletic retirement and direct my energy towards career planning. The RATP has provided me with valuable suggestions and reinforcement, allowing me to reflect upon my change in role after retirement and teaching me to direct the attitudes of perseverance I had learnt as an athlete to my upcoming career.

 I am eternally thankful to be matched to Olympic House as a programme officer, my current duties are mainly concerned with athlete’s education and sports promotion. Apart from these core duties, I am also responsible for promoting sports history and Olympism to different schools and community centers across Hong Kong, as well as organizing local, national and international sports exchange programs. My work has allowed me to accumulate plentiful work experience that will contribute to my competitiveness in society. The supportive work environment I was welcomed into also gave way for an enjoyable and enriching transition process.

 Even though I have already been settled in a very suitable working environment, HKACED and the RATP still regularly provides me with opportunities to participate in very diverse professional and life skills training courses. This allows for a very productive career even after my retirement, as I am able to obtain skills that I have neglected during my time as a full time athlete, helping me transform into a much more well rounded person.

It is my privilege and pleasure to deliver my heartfelt appreciation on the RATP’s supporting to retiring and retired athletes.

Through the RATP, I was assigned to the Hong Kong Football Association Limited as a Sports Secretariat Administrator. Huge thanks for the help from my supervisor and my workmates, I have supported the AGM, Board Meetings and Committee Meetings and handled the whole house of secretarial works and documentary services. I am currently the leader of the force task team for delegating the job duties. I have organized the Member's activities and members' luncheon and provided all-rounded event management. Recently, I am very glad that I have been appointed and given the opportunity to organize and coordinate the international event - CUHK Sports Medicine x AFC President’s x HKFA Travelling Fellow 2022 in HONG KONG.

RATP plays an important supportive role in my career transformation.

 To an athlete, what is that he fears most?

Though it might seem iconoclastic to most, injuries and defeat are not what I fear the most, but the sudden changes my life would bring after my athletic retirement. The immense shifts in lifestyle and social circle. The inanition and lack of direction compared to what was felt in the past during competitions. The common adage of athletes’ retirement being something they should “deal with themselves” reflects the public’s inconsideration towards athletes and their efforts.

My fears were quickly eroded after joining HKACED’s ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’. From the process of job matching, personalized counselling to postgraduate education, the programme has given me a great feeling of appreciation. The job duties I have been provided with coincides with what savor, the process of sports promotion has allowed me to set out concrete goals and objectives after retirement. It was great to see my students being able to find their stride through sports. As a former athlete myself, it was a humbling experience to grow from the role of an athlete to a coach right now, I sincerely hope that the RATP will assist more retired athletes in serving the local sports community as coaches and educators. As the current head coach of Hong Kong’s Men’s Handball Team, I am frequently bombarded by post-retirement questions from my athletes, expressing the same fear I have experienced in the past. However, I can now confidently tell them that under the support of HKACED, there is nothing to fear.

I was assigned to work as a sports promotor in schools, the process has allowed me to initiate the influx of Karatedo into the campus. It was gratifying to see the growth of the students after their engagement in the sport. Apart from promoting my sport of expertise, the RATP has provided schools with adequate resources to allow its students to experience niched sports, inspiring them to maximize their potential and challenge themselves. Retired athletes can also share with students the experience they have encountered regarding training, injury rehabilitation and even dietary knowledge, promoting the practice of adopting a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives. 

Having practiced Judo for two decades, my membership within HKACED has allowed me to partake in the ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’, granting me the title of director of sports promotion at Pui Ying Secondary School. The school serves as an ideal venue for me to promote the beliefs and values I have adopted over the course of my athletic career. I am able to help students understand values built upon the foundation of sports, and that PE lessons do not fully encapsulate what sports represents. I aim to teach students how to apply what they have learnt in real life scenarios, instead of learning in a traditional “by the books” manner.

At April 2020, I officially ended my 9 years of service as an athlete of Hong Kong. I subsequently enrolled in HKACED’s ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’, being assigned the honorable role of coordinator of sports promotion at Leung Shek Chee College. HKACED not only facilitated my matching process with LSC College, I was also provided pre-work training, allowing me to have a better understanding on the operations of my new role. Though the overall time I have spent as a coordinator was short, I gained valuable insight on the different responsibilities an athlete and a sports coordinator had. Apart from managing the financial aspects of sports, the role of coordinator also meant the obligatory collaboration with other teachers and students, assisting PE teachers in fostering a healthy sports culture that promotes student participation in various sports. Although I faced lots of challenges along the way, it was an incomparable learning experience.

Following the closure of my 10-year career as a full-time athlete, I was successfully matched with Maryknoll Father’s School through HKACED’s ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’, serving as a coordinator of sports promotion. The challenges I have faced in my new position differed from those I have encountered in the past as an athlete. As an athlete, my only focus was on training and competition, there were very limited factors I had to be concerned with. As a coordinator however, I not only had to handle administrative work related to sports promotion, I also spent an extensive amount of time communicating with teachers and students in bettering the sporting environment of the school, which could promote student participation in various types of sports. Thankfully, HKACED has provided me with plentiful amount of support, ranging from training to educational talks that all contributed to my smooth adaptation into my new field of work.

“When you encounter setbacks in life, tell yourself that this is merely a process, believe in yourself, persevere and you will eventually succeed”

The role of coordinator of sports promotion in schools has given me great insight on the meticulous processed behind this field of work. At the same time, I’m also able to understand how an educational institute operates, which would greatly benefit my work as a sports promotor in the future. The programme has allowed me to interact with a great amount of secondary school students, the process has improved my communicative skills with the younger generation which will be of great benefit to my work.

The road I embarked on after my retirement from Bowling was strenuous. I was well over the ripe age of an athlete, and years of athletic training has had me lacking in format schooling and work experience. The numerous setbacks I have encountered eventually led to my juncture with HKACED’s ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’, which gave me the opportunity to work as a coordinator of sports promotion at Kowloon Technical School. The programme has facilitated by career transition process, giving me the valuable chance to continue my post-retirement education alongside a stable job at hand, which will inarguably assist in preparing me for sports administrative work in the future. 

Under the RATP, I am able to continue on my post-retirement learning alongside my newly given opportunity to work in the field of sports promotion in schools. The programme has assisted retired athletes like myself in a smooth career transition, providing sports related work opportunities under a supportive environment and system. HKACED has also provided active support for our education process, including both formal academic education and subsidiary life skills training, i.e. first aid training, fitness certificates and computer software training, allowing us to better prepare ourselves for future challenges.

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.

As a retired Sports Climbing athlete, my initial objective when joining the RATP was to gain experience in the field of sports promotion, utilizing the lessons I have learnt as an athlete and coach to give back to Hong Kong’s sports community. My current work as a ‘Director of Sports Promotion in Schools’ at CCC Kei San Secondary School has given me the opportunity to work alongside teachers during PE lessons and organizing future plans regarding the promotion of sports. Apart from providing me the valuable chance to immerse in the practical aspects of sports promotion, the RATP has also given me financial support for pursuing a postgraduate education.

I was able to settle in a stable working environment and continue my pursuance of various goals after joining the ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’. Having worked extensively on campus, I was able to experience the difficulties teachers encounter during their work, giving me a more comprehensive understanding on the diverse considerations an educator must make. The programme also provides an array of training courses such as electronic software tutorials for retired athletes, helping them prepare for their transitions into a new working environment.

“Embrace your challenges with an open hearts, because through every challenge strength forms.” The RATP has allowed me to engage in sports related services, giving back to the local athletic community as an ambassador rather than an athlete. I have gained an unorthodox sense of satisfaction during my current work, at the same time, I am also able to pursue different learning opportunities which will aid in enhancing my employment competitiveness.

The RATP has allowed me to broaden my horizon, the opportunity to immerse within schoolwork gave me a profound understanding on the operations of an educational institute. The plethora of resources provided by HKACED gave me the chance to better equip myself in both knowledge and daily life skills, I was able to gain much needed confidence along the way.

As a former Handball athlete, a majority of my time and effort was spent on Handball alone. After my retirement, I was able to enroll in the ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’ which gave me the opportunity to work as a coordinator of sports promotion at HKTA, The Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School. The job has allowed me to adopt the role as both a coach and an older sister for students, accompanying them throughout their journey into adulthood. I was able to promote sports and the value of a healthy lifestyle in the school, the lessons and experiences I have gained has helped my career transition process to a large degree, allowing me to shine even outside the Handball court.

The ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’ is able to provide retired athletes with a great amount of support, allowing me to comfortably pursue my postgraduate studies and career transition post athletic retirement. As a current director of sports promotion in schools, I have been given the rare opportunity to share my knowledge and experience as a former athlete with the next generation, with the goal of teaching important values in sports that can likewise be applied to everyday life. In the future, I hope to continue my service for Hong Kong’s sports circle, reaching out to more of the community as a positive influence. 

 At first, my decision to retire brought me lots of pessimistic thoughts. I felt perplexed about my future, but I insisted on exploring new fields of work to immerse in. After signing up for the RATP, I was able to land a job as a coordinator at HKACED’s Sports Legacy. Through my work in sports promotion for schools, I gained a better understanding on the framework of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, at the same time, devoted myself to continued education in order to facilitate my successful career transition.

The journey from competing in a filled-out stadium to my current line of work was nothing short of arduous. The RATP has provided me an effective platform for career transition, it gave me the opportunity to gain valuable experience and support for continuing my education, these factors all contributed to my successful career planning and transition into a new working environment. I hope that all retired athletes like myself can find a successful career transition and continue to search for the invigorating moments in life even after their retirement from competitive sports.

After securing the role of a coordinator of sports promotion through the RATP, I have had the valuable opportunity to conduct multiple sports promotion events. The events provided me with the chance to interact with children of the next generation, allowing me to acquire the necessary communicative skills and various working skills along the way.

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.

“I was a softball athlete and I love this game so much. I wish I can contribute to the promotion of this sport after retirement. Through RATP, I was matched to Hong Kong Softball Association as the Promotion Coordinator. In the past few months, it was a challenge for me to adapt to the new environment. There are definitely big differences between the work place and sports field, but I am confident that I can overcome. RATP provides me a workplace, together with the on-job training and education subsidy. I think it is a good support for retired or retiring athletes’ transformation.”

“After retirement from cycling career, I joined the RATP and was matched to Confucian Tai Shing Ho Kwok Pui Chun College as the School Sports Promotion Coordinator. To match up with my expertise, the school makes cycling development the focus of this programme. They put a lot of resources to promote cycling, such as renovating an activity room to become a cycling training room, and arrange sufficient time and manpower for cycling activities. I am grateful to have the chance to promote the sport I love. RATP provides me a platform to transform since I can learn difference things in school, and to enhance my soft-skills like public speaking and event management.”

The ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’ has given me the opportunity to engage in further studies after my retirement, my role as a sports promotion director in schools has allowed me to share the positive attitudes of sportsmanship with students.

The ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’ allowed me to reflect on whether a position within an educational institute befits my preference of work. Moreover, the role of a director of sports promotion gave me valuable work experience that will ease my career transition in the future.

Employment opportunities provided by the RATP drastically reduced my post retirement concerns as a former athlete, the programme has allowed me to take the role of director of sports promotion in schools, where I can motivate and encourage students using the experience I have gained during my athletic career.

 The RATP provides retired athletes with employment resources and a concrete employment platform, allowing for my career transition process to be done in a much more smooth and efficient manner. I was able to find a flexible job under the RATP’s stable employment platform, giving me adequate time to prepare for my future career.

I am eternally thankful for HKACED and my assigned school for giving me the opportunity to devote myself in this new field of work. Their constant support has given me the chance to work as a coordinator of sports promotion and complete my Postgraduate master’s degree at the same time. I have benefited a great deal from the work I have done over the past two years, apart from gaining administrative knowledge, my interactions with the younger generation has also given the opportunity to strike a positive influence in the community.

After partaking in the ‘Retired Athletes Transformation Programme’, I was blessed with the opportunity to work as a coordinator of sports promotion at Lai King Catholic Secondary School. Over the past two years, my work has allowed me gain insight into the daily operations of a school, as well as experience the duties of a PE teacher. The programme has also provided me with much support in continuing my education, allowing me to better prepare myself for future career transitions into different industries.

I was able to work at Tin Shui Wai Methodist College as a coordinator of sports promotion under the RATP, overseeing the development of sports within the wall of the campus. The nature of work between my current role and a full-time athlete was strikingly different, it forced me to make important adjustments to my style of work and habits. I was fortunate to have the full support of the principal and many colleagues, as well as HKACED in providing various training opportunities and lectures to help me assimilate smoothly into my new position.

" “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.