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	<title>athletics &#8211; Beijing Kids</title>
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		<title>At 17, He&#8217;s Building the Future of Lacrosse in Beijing</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2026/03/23/tony-ding/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Playing Outside]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports and Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lacrosse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=202568</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BeFunky-sample-26-300x144.jpg" /></div>At just 16 years old, Tony Ding is already thinking about how to grow lacrosse in China. A junior in high school who balances his passion for diabetic biology studies with his love for the sport, he recently launched Laxmeter, a website designed to connect players across the country and help build a community around [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BeFunky-sample-26-300x144.jpg" /></div><p>At just 16 years old, <strong>Tony Ding</strong> is already thinking about how to grow lacrosse in China. A junior in high school who balances his passion for diabetic biology studies with his love for the sport, he recently launched Laxmeter, a website designed to connect players across the country and help build a community around a game still finding its footing in Beijing.</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202571" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d04bfc473237dd5f46caf23caa3acf0c.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1622"   />A former student at Beijing World Youth Academy, Tony&#8217;s own journey began only three years ago when he entered high school in the US as a freshman. He played thirds lacrosse and was, by his own admission, terrible at it. It took him a week just to learn to successfully catch and throw the ball. But despite the steep learning curve, he fell in love with the fast pace, the aesthetic motion of a well-aimed shot, and the way the varsity team celebrated a win where everyone sprinted onto the field to high-five their goalie. For Tony, the beauty of lacrosse lies in that tension between fierce body contact and delicate stick movement.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202569" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ac4c948b3c7c62fc91621dc38e1a9ac4-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1255"   />With lacrosse set to return to the Olympics in 2028, he saw an opportunity.</p>
<p>The sport is growing in China, but there&#8217;s no platform bringing players together. When his parents suggested that hiring a professional to build one would be too expensive, Tony took matters into his own hands. Drawing on what he learned in AP Computer Science and a post-AP data structures course, he programmed Laxeter himself.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202570" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2fdbc663c5f18d51601791ed8026027e.jpg" alt="" width="1006" height="256"   />Right now, the site features a rankings system meant to motivate more players to participate in games. But his ambitions are bigger: he wants to eventually rank players by stars and help them build profiles that college coaches can see.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202575" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/a951dd9899fffa0c7a7f26d92e3168e4.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1920"   /></p>
<p>His vision doesn&#8217;t stop online. Tony is now working to establish a school lacrosse league among Beijing&#8217;s international school communities. He&#8217;s calling it BALL (the<strong> Beijing Academia Lacrosse League</strong>), and he&#8217;s already reaching out to schools to invite them in.</p>
<p>The plan is to start with a 3v3 format and scale up to a more competitive Tier I league for players with real talent and drive. For anyone interested in starting, he recommends <a href="https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2026/03/16/parents-guide-lacrosse-beijing/"><strong>BUX Lacrosse Club</strong></a> and the <strong>Beijing Lacrosse Association</strong> as great places to begin, filled with passionate athletes and professional coaches ready to help.</p>
<p>For Tony, this moment matters. &#8220;This is a pre-Olympic stage of Lacrosse (as I would like to call it), so every player is a pioneer. They&#8217;re not just learning a sport—they&#8217;re building a community from the ground up. That sense of ownership makes their journey deeply personal, which not only creates future influencers in the lacrosse community to publicize this sport we love more, but also presents opportunities (colleges, national teams, branding, etc.)&#8221; says Tony. The story of lacrosse in Beijing, he believes, is ultimately one about belonging and identity.</p>
<p>When asked what advice he&#8217;d give to kids who want to pick up a stick, he quotes his high school&#8217;s varsity goalie, John: &#8220;Lacrosse is an easy sport to pick up, but a hard sport to excel in.&#8221; What matters most, Tony says, are the friends and connections you make along the way. Whether you&#8217;re playing in big games, tossing the ball with a neighbor, or doing wall-ball with music in your ears, you&#8217;ll find yourself improving with a smile on your face. And then he adds John&#8217;s signature send-off: &#8220;Let&#8217;s go hit the wall.&#8221;</p>
<p>For kids in Beijing who want to give the sport a try, it&#8217;s easy. &#8220;I am working to create lacrosse teams at every high school that shows interest in this sport. Not only can they come to play at BUX lacrosse club, but they can also aid me and convince their teachers about including this sport in their school. We have professional coaches who are happy to show up and teach you the tricks!&#8221;</p>
<p><em>Inspired? We know we are! If you’re a teen with an incredible achievement, let us know! Get in touch with Mina Yan via email at minayan@beijing-kids.com or WeChat (ID: Wilhelmina87).</em><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202554" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7d874eef193e2e097622274a4e2879ee.jpg" alt="" width="1108" height="1512"   /></p>
<p><em>Images: Tony Ding</em></p>
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		<title>A Parent’s Guide to Lacrosse in Beijing</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2026/03/16/parents-guide-lacrosse-beijing/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:07:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BUX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lacrosse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=202524</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BeFunky-sample-22-300x144.jpg" /></div>It started, as many good things do, with a few friends and a ball. In 2022, a small group of lacrosse enthusiasts gathered on a football field in Beijing. Among them were members of the Chinese National Team, and Rebekah Liu — someone who had just discovered the sport and was already completely hooked. Curious [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BeFunky-sample-22-300x144.jpg" /></div><p>It started, as many good things do, with a few friends and a ball. In 2022, a small group of lacrosse enthusiasts gathered on a football field in Beijing. Among them were members of the Chinese National Team, and <strong>Rebekah Liu</strong> — someone who had just discovered the sport and was already completely hooked.</p>
<p>Curious passersby kept stopping. Football players, frisbee players, families out for a walk all wanted to know one thing: what is that thing they&#8217;re holding? The sticks, they joked, looked like nets for catching dragonflies. So the group earned a nickname: <strong>the Dragonfly Catching Squad.</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202532" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/f40bd84b5b502286fd57c7f8d0baebde.jpg" alt="" width="2275" height="1279"   /></p>
<p>That curiosity never really went away; it actually worked in their favor. As curiosity grew, so did the group. Before long, what started as a few friends throwing a ball around became <strong>BUX,</strong> Beijing’s first lacrosse club.</p>
<p>If you’ve never seen lacrosse before, you’re not alone. When BUX first started, very few people in Beijing knew what it was. But that unfamiliarity turned out to be an advantage. People were intrigued. They wanted to understand. And once they tried it, many of them stayed.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202531" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/c1fe6b86cfa9925791901a3377d14abd.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067"   /></p>
<p>Still, getting people through the door was only half the battle. The other half was helping them get past the fear.</p>
<p>Lacrosse is fast. It’s physical. And yes, there is contact.</p>
<p>For beginners, especially teenagers and adults, the idea of getting hit can be intimidating. So BUX changed its approach. Instead of diving into the competitive side, they introduced the sport using rules that limit intentional contact. Suddenly, it wasn’t about toughness anymore. It was about the rhythm of passing, the satisfaction of a clean catch, and the feeling of the ball landing perfectly in the pocket. Once people fell in love with that, their hesitation melted away and made space for newfound confidence.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202529" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/341c9743eabea0fff7bd30c3569ecbb9.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1015"   />That’s the kind of space BUX has built. Whether you’re a national team player or someone who has never held a stick before, you’ll find your place amongst them.</p>
<p>The training is structured so that beginners learn the basics in a safe, supportive environment, starting with how to hold the stick, how to cradle, and how to catch. And when that first catch happens? That’s usually the moment people get hooked.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202537" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/15a0ce307b9559889e36db296566182d.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067"   /></p>
<p>More experienced players train at a faster pace, working on tactical drills and full-field scrimmages. But the groups aren’t kept separate. During games, veterans are spread across teams to play alongside newcomers. The beginners learn fast. And the veterans get the quiet satisfaction of watching someone else grow under their guidance.</p>
<p>Off the field, that same spirit carries through. Lacrosse is still niche in China, so finding each other feels a little like fate. Teammates become friends. They grab dinners after practice, host watch parties for NCAA games, and hang out on weekends. People who show up just to “try it out” often end up staying because of the warmth of the community. Watching someone go from their first catch to making their first tournament roster that never gets old.</p>
<p>For parents, there are always practical questions. What about the cost? What about the physical side of the sport?</p>
<p>The answer might be more reassuring than you expect. For first-timers, BUX provides everything. All you need to do is just show up in sportswear. If your child wants to continue, a beginner stick costs a few hundred RMB, similar to a decent pair of soccer cleats. And because the community is so close-knit, experienced players often pass down their old gear to newcomers for free or at a low cost.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202530" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5b83d8120db7ef806c80aac66c379dd1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="563"   /></p>
<p>As for the physical side, lacrosse is far more approachable than it looks. For young beginners, the focus is on skill, not contact. Kids learn in a safe environment, building confidence before they ever have to think about checking or body contact. And here’s something worth noting: in North America, where the sport is biggest, you see many Asian faces on high school and even NCAA Division I teams far more than in basketball or football. That’s because lacrosse isn’t about height or weight. It’s about technique, vision, and smart movement. It rewards what you build through practice.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202533" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/99ad57063ae862edf468b91aa50487a6.jpg" alt="" width="1706" height="1279"   /></p>
<p>The age range at BUX is broad. Members include young teens, high school students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and even people who travel from other cities to train.</p>
<p>For younger kids, BUX partners with clubs that offer programs for elementary through high school students so for a complete beginner, the first session is about fundamentals: holding the stick, catching, passing. Game-based activities, no pressure, just fun. That moment a child catches the ball for the first time? That’s when the spark ignites. From there, they’re placed in the right group based on age and level. And it’s not just about skills but also about goals, and also learning to communicate, to trust, to bounce back. Lacrosse teaches things that stick with you long after you leave the field.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202534" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/a38227034858595868a71818c907cf89.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1125"   /></p>
<p>As with the most important life experiences, the best way to understand it is to try it. Bring your child to a free session. Let them run, pass, and feel the game. You’ll know within ten minutes if it clicks.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>If Rebekah can bust just ONE single misassumption about lacrosse, it&#8217;s that it&#8217;s not rough. &#8220;Yes, there&#8217;s contact—but it&#8217;s controlled, rule-bound, and for beginners, entirely optional. We teach in a way that prioritizes safety and fun. If you&#8217;re curious, watch a session. Better yet, try it. You&#8217;ll see that lacrosse is a sport of skill, speed, and strategy,&#8221; she says.</p>
<p>To get in touch, add Rebekah on WeChat at <strong>wenxuan_jj </strong>or call her at <strong>18510677142.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202528" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/97d01009aba207b08fb1753126b8d9f7.jpg" alt="" width="1110" height="1491"   /></strong></p>
<p><em>Images: Rebekah Liu</em></p>
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		<title>Beijing Teen Simon Wang Becomes Highest-Drafted Chinese NHL Player</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2025/07/03/beijing-teen-simon-wang-highest-drafted-chinese-nhl-player/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:30:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Local News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports and Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Things to Do]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hockey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=200615</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Untitled-image-26-300x144.jpeg" /></div>Wang is only the third ever Chinese player to be drafted by the NHL.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Untitled-image-26-300x144.jpeg" /></div><p>Recently, 17-year-old Beijing-born <strong>Simon Wang</strong> made history as the highest-drafted Chinese player in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born to a family that&#8217;s got ice in their veins, Simon first laced up his skates at one of the city’s few ice rinks, when the sport was still growing in popularity. His early years were spent balancing school and hockey, often practicing late into the night after the public rinks had emptied.</p>
<p>China isn’t known as a hockey powerhouse, but Simon&#8217;s talent was impossible to ignore. By his early teens, he was dominating local competitions, catching the attention of scouts who saw his potential. At 12 years old, he made the life-changing decision to move to Canada, where he could train at a higher level and pursue his NHL dream.</p>
<p>Wang’s transition to North American hockey wasn’t easy – new culture, faster play, tougher competition – but he adapted quickly. After honing his skills in British Columbia’s junior leagues, he became a standout defenseman for the Vancouver Giants.</p>
<p>On Jun 28, Simon made history as the highest-drafted player born in China when the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/team/_/name/sj/san-jose-sharks" data-clubhouse-guid="8c0b5061-09c3-2e5c-529b-274a22d1b6bb">San Jose Sharks</a> selected him with the first pick of the second round of the NHL draft. He&#8217;s the third ever Chinese player to be drafted by the NHL, but he&#8217;s confident he won&#8217;t be the last.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s an unreal moment for my family, for hockey in China,&#8221; Wang said. &#8220;Just a really surreal moment, a dream-come-true moment. &#8230; I hope I&#8217;ve inspired a lot of kids back home.&#8221;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-200618" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/doing-sport-concept-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1463"   /></p>
<p>For young players in Beijing looking to follow in Simon&#8217;s footsteps, here are some of the best places to train and play:</p>
<p><strong>Capital Indoor Stadium 首都体育馆冰场</strong><br />
Find it:<br />
56 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District<br />
北京市海淀区中关村南大街56号<br />
Tel: 6833 5552</p>
<p><strong>Beijing Aoyuan Ice Sports Center 北京奥众冰上运动中心</strong><br />
Find it:<br />
12 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District<br />
北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路12号<br />
Tel: 8437 2996</p>
<p><strong>Shougang Ice Hockey Arena 首钢冰球馆</strong><br />
Find it:<br />
Shougang Industrial Park, Shijingshan District<br />
北京市石景山区首钢工业园内<br />
Tel: 8829 5555</p>
<p><strong>Joy City Champion Ice Rink 朝阳大悦城冠军冰场</strong><br />
Find it:<br />
6/F, Joy City Mall, 101 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang District<br />
北京市朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城6层<br />
Tel: 8556 2466</p>
<p><strong>Le Cool Ice Rink 国贸Le Cool冰场</strong><br />
Find it:<br />
B2/F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District<br />
北京市朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城B2层<br />
Tel: 6505 5776</p>
<p><strong>Wukesong Ice Sports Center 华熙LIVE冰上中心</strong><br />
Find it:<br />
69 Fuxing Lu, Haidian District<br />
北京市海淀区复兴路69号<br />
Tel: 6815 9111</p>
<p>If your child is trying it out for the first time, there&#8217;s no need to hit up Decathlon for a whole set of equiptment just yet. Most rinks will offer skate rentals for around RMB 100 an hour, and beginner places will have hockey gear you can borrow. Pick the rink that&#8217;s most convenient, but keep in mind that Joy City or Le Cool both offer beginner programs that are well loved by parents.</p>
<p><em>Images: Freepik, ESPN</em></p>
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		<title>Horse Play: A Beijing mom and daughter  tell us about their equine obsession</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2019/10/09/horse-play-beijing-mom-daughter-equine-obsession/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Pennywu]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Oct 2019 02:00:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hobby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse riding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pets]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=141273</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DSCF2342-300x200.jpg" /></div>It’s said that dogs were the first animal to be domesticated by man. Horses came relatively late to the party, some ten thousand years later, after the goat, the camel and even the guinea pig. But no animal can have had such a profound effect on human civilization. Horses provided transport and status, and were [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DSCF2342-300x200.jpg" /></div><p class="p1">It’s said that dogs were the first animal to be domesticated by man. Horses came relatively late to the party, some ten thousand years later, after the goat, the camel and even the guinea pig. But no animal can have had such a profound effect on human civilization. Horses provided transport and status, and were once so important that early engines were measured by how many “horsepower” they produced.</p>
<p class="p3">But the motor long surpassed the mare, and cities have developed around the automobile. Is it still possible, in a 21st century metropolis like Beijing, for children to learn to love and care for these magnificent beasts? We spoke to a mom and daughter who say the answer is emphatically “Yes!”</p>
<p class="p3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-141275" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DSCF2311.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="468"   />Vanessa Vandevraye grew up in her native France without a horse of her own.</p>
<p class="p3">“I always loved horses as far as I remember,” she tells us, “but I also loved to play piano and my mother had not enough money to pay for both activities so I had to choose. I had to wait until I was grown up and getting my own money to start riding lessons. Then I owned my first horse when I was 24.”</p>
<p class="p3">Becoming a riding instructor was a natural next step.</p>
<p class="p3">“I had the chance to combine my two passions. I wanted to become a teacher and I had the opportunity to become a horseback riding instructor.”</p>
<p class="p3">As a result Vanessa’s daughter Dakota grew up around horses.</p>
<p class="p3">“She likes to say that she started riding when she was inside my belly!” Vanessa laughs. “It’s almost true. She has been with horses every day, and got on their back each time she wanted to since she was a baby. She did a lot of vaulting (gymnastics on the back of the horse) when she was 4, but she starting progressively to really learn how to ride around 5 or 6 years old. What she just loved was to take care of them. We never pushed her to ride, always let her ask for it, and taught her nothing except what we normally teach to a toddler: left and right, colors, how to count, coordination, balance. But then when she said she really wanted to ride, we made sure she would do it on a regular basis and stick to it.”</p>
<p class="p3">Dakota’s passion for riding is certainly genuine.</p>
<p class="p3">“I like horse riding because I love horses, and when I ride them I feel like I’m free or that I’m flying,” she tells us. “I like to try to understand how they feel the day I ride them or care for them: if they feel sad or happy, if they feel scared or confident.”</p>
<p class="p3">The family came to Beijing seven years ago, and Vanessa and husband Joel now run a riding school in Shunyi. This has given Dakota plenty of opportunity to deepen her interest in horses.</p>
<p class="p3">“I also love to train the new ponies who arrive in our club,” she says. “Usually they are shy or scared of people. I teach them to be confident in humans and in their new environment. I also like to give them their new English or Chinese names. I have special bonds with some of the ponies and horses of the club, and if I feel sad or if I had a bad day I go see them, and they always try to make me laugh or cuddle me.”</p>
<p class="p3">While she cares for all the horses and ponies, she owns four of her own – plus a dog called Mickey.</p>
<p class="p3">“My horses’ names are Andalou, Aladdin, Gucci, and Hawaii,” she says. “My favorite horse is Andalou, he was given to me by my parents for my 10th birthday. He’s now 5 years old, and his color is grey and his breed is Spanish horse. He loves hugs and kisses. He loves eating so he’s always a bit fat. He likes apples and carrots, but his favorite is watermelon. When I arrive in the stables in the morning he calls for me and becomes crazy if I don’t come see him right away. And he doesn’t like when I leave. Every afternoon, he goes out in the paddock with Gucci and Hawaii and the other horses. They are all girls, so he is very proud. He bosses them and protects them. His favorite mare is Happiness, who is the tallest horse of the club. He is also very smart because he’s learned many tricks, like opening the door of his stall by himself. We now also play horseball together, even if he doesn’t really like to have the ball landing on his head.&#8221;</p>
<p class="p3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-141277" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DSCF2363.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="1053"   />Dakota is now 12, a student at the Lycée Français International Charles de Gaulle de Pékin (LFIP), and the demands of schoolwork are beginning to increase.</p>
<p class="p3">“We are a lucky family because we are all involved in horses,” Vanessa says. “My husband is also a horseback riding instructor so Dakota can go to the club anytime she wants. However, this year she entered middle school, and her planning is very busy so she has less time except on weekends and holidays.”</p>
<p class="p3">“This year it is difficult,” Dakota agrees, “but I try to make sure my homework is done far in advance. This way I can spend more time at the stables. Sometimes I feel tired, but when I see my horses it gives me courage and then I have energy again. I know school is very important but I feel sad because I have less time to go to the stables. And horse riding is also a very important school of life.”</p>
<p class="p3">We ask her what she learns at this school.</p>
<p class="p3">“First I learn patience,” she says. “Then I learn responsibility. I learn that nothing is easy in life; if you want to be good you must work hard and always pay attention to details. Even a very gentle horse can kick you.</p>
<p class="p3">“The most important thing I learned is that we call ourselves humans and the other kind the animals, but we forget that we also are animals. We are not ‘the humans’ and the horses our slaves; even if we don’t speak the same language we can learn how to communicate with each other and respect each other. Horses they are very sensitive, they really have feelings and if we pay attention we can share our feelings and they can show us how we feel. They are like mirrors, so we must be a good person if we want our horse to be good.”</p>
<p class="p3">Mom too sees the value of the time Dakota spends with her horses.</p>
<p class="p3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-141279" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DSCF2384.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="1053"   />“Horses require daily attention,” she says. “It’s not a toy you just put back in the box when you don’t want to play anymore or you are too tired. It teaches her empathy, leadership, communication skills, self control, discipline, independence… what amazed me the most was when last year she came up with a daily planning of all the tasks she would do during her holidays. She had set it up herself, and was ticking a box each time she completed the tasks.”</p>
<p class="p3">But Dakota still finds time for other activities.</p>
<p class="p3">“I have always done Taekwondo, thanks to the extracurricular activities of the schools I went to. I now train with my favorite teacher, Bruno from NB8. He knows I love horses, so he always says my brain is half horse on the left, half horse on the right, and horse in the middle! My best kick is the horse kick. I also play piano and hulusi [a Chinese woodwind instrument]for my pleasure but I don’t learn with a teacher, just by myself.”</p>
<p class="p3">Not all of her school friends share her passion, Dakota tells us.</p>
<p class="p3">“At the stables I have many friends and ride sometimes with them. My friends who also love riding think that I am so lucky to have my own horse and to live most of the time at the club. At school my best friend rides a little bit. Many of my friends don’t ride, but they have other sports they are passionate about. For my birthday, I invited them to the stables and they got to ride for the first time and they all liked it and liked the horses so I was very happy.”</p>
<p class="p3">Vanessa says it’s not a hobby that’s out of reach for most people, though it can become an obsession.</p>
<p class="p3">“If you don’t own a horse, it’s easy! Even if riding is much more expensive in China than in Europe, it is still affordable to ride on a regular basis. If you own a horse, then it’s terrible because then you want the pretty saddle and bridle to go with it, all the equipment, with different colors, the best grooming kits, you become a fashion victim! Attending competitions can be expensive too, and of course horses are like kids – you pay attention to their health, to what they eat, if they have one hair upside down you call the vet…”</p>
<p class="p3">But she emphasizes the importance of doing things properly.</p>
<p class="p3">“Every parent wants to make sure that their kid will be safe,” she says, “so I would tell them to find a very professional place with certified instructors. They have to visit the place before trying to ride and go see the horses. Do they look happy or aggressive, are they in good shape or skinny, are there ponies for the kids? Is the environment healthy, clean and quiet? Will the kid be taught how to care for the horse before and after the riding? If you want to have all the benefits that<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>horses can bring into the life of your kid, this is very important.”</p>
<p class="p3">For Dakota, life without horses is now unthinkable.</p>
<p class="p3">“I will always ride, there is no way I will stop riding. In fact I would like to be a horseback riding instructor or director like my parents when I grow up. If for any reasons I cannot be that I would like to be an archaeologist, but horses will always be part of my life.”</p>
<hr />
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-141062 no-display appear" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/wechat-900x500-2.jpg"   alt="" width="900" height="500" /></p>
<p class="p1"><em>This article appeared in the </em>beijingkids<em> October 2019 Family Foodies issue</em></p>
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		<title>Face Off: Get Set for Our November 2017 Sports and Athletics Issue</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2017/11/07/face-off-set-november-2017-sports-athletics-issue/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Andy Penafuerte III]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Nov 2017 01:30:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports and Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2022 Winter Olympics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Editor's Note]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[olympic games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Olympics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=111058</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Beijingkids-Cover2-compressed-e1510019713933-300x136.jpg" /></div>A recurring idea in this issue is how organized sports make for a more well-rounded and responsible child. We couldn’t agree more with this. Along with providing some gains throughout their development into adulthood and looking great on a college application, sports have an amazing overall effect on a young person. When I was in [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Beijingkids-Cover2-compressed-e1510019713933-300x136.jpg" /></div><p>A recurring idea in this issue is how organized sports make for a more well-rounded and responsible child. We couldn’t agree more with this. Along with providing some gains throughout their development into adulthood and looking great on a college application, sports have an amazing overall effect on a young person.</p>
<p>When I was in high school in the early 2000’s in Orlando, Florida, we were lucky to have an abundance of lakes and a pretty well-respected crew team. It sounds like a very posh sport I know, but this wasn’t really the case in the South. It was a newer sport, with most of the rowing programs in the state only being in existence for only 10-20 years. This is nothing compared to some of the prep schools we would compete with when traveling to the Northeast.</p>
<p>I loved being a part of something bigger than myself. The daily practices throughout the entire school year (the season was year-round) designed to push us to our physical limits, and the people all played a significant role in my development as a young adult.</p>
<p>But, it was probably the relationship we all had to our coach that had the most significant impact on our performance in and outside the boat. He was always there to push us along and was very strict when it came to our studies, checking our report cards every quarter, and was also aware if we got into any trouble at school. He was revered by all in the community, for his obsession with the sport and the positive impacts he had on many young lives. Some students would go on to receive significant scholarships and row at top universities, but all learned about the selflessness required to be a part of a team, which he perfectly personified through the countless hours of work he put into this motley crew of teenagers.</p>
<p>In this issue, we got to experience firsthand some of the people in Beijing&#8217;s community that personify this sort of involvement, along with the athletes benefiting from the mindfulness and structure that athletics can provide. In Schooled (p34) we talk with a handful of international school coaches about their views on the benefits of physical education. In Food for Thought (p22), Chef Pauline shares her high-energy snacks to keep your kid in the game. Then finally, in our cover feature, we cover some of the winter sports that have been gaining popularity in China in the years leading up to the 2022 Winter Olympics (p46). This and more should give you a clear idea about the importance of competitive play in your child’s life, and how we could all use a little more “fun and games.”</p>
<p><em>Featured photo: Dave&#8217;s Studio</em></p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kids-2017.11-.pdf"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-111055 size-full" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/3D-cover.jpg" alt="" width="387" height="500"   /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>This article appeared on p5 of </em>beijingkids<em> November 2017 issue.</em><br />
<em>Download your copy <a href="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kids-2017.11-.pdf">here</a>.</em></p>
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		<title>Girls with Grit: Beijing Girls Tell Us About Their Favorite Sports</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2017/11/06/girls-grit-beijing-girls-favorite-sports/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Pennywu]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Nov 2017 07:05:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Playing Outside]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=110671</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Liu-Rui-Qi-200x300.jpg" /></div>Liu Ruiqi My name is Liu Ruiqi (Rachel). I am seven and a half years old and attend Yu Ying School. I have been riding horses since I was three and a half; equestrian is my favorite sport. When the horse gallops very fast, I can feel the wind blowing on my face, through my [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Liu-Rui-Qi-200x300.jpg" /></div><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-110672 size-large" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Liu-Rui-Qi-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="683" height="1024"   /></p>
<p><strong>Liu Ruiqi</strong></p>
<p>My name is Liu Ruiqi (Rachel). I am seven and a half years old and attend Yu Ying School. I have been riding horses since I was three and a half; equestrian is my favorite sport. When the horse gallops very fast, I can feel the wind blowing on my face, through my hair and it feels like flying. When the horse and I try to hop over the wood bars on the ground, the horse sometimes almost ignores the bars, but when we make it across, I’m very happy and I can tell the horse is happy too. I would like to become a professional horse rider someday.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-110673 size-large" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/katherine-wang-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="683" height="1024"   /></p>
<p><strong>Katherine Wang</strong></p>
<p>I am Katherine and I am 9 years old. I attend Dulwich College Beijing. My favorite sport is taekwondo. Taekwondo is really fun and I enjoy doing it with my brother. I started practicing a year ago. The most exciting thing during taekwondo practice is when I do something I thought I couldn’t do. I will continue taekwondo for as long as possible but I have different dreams such as becoming a music teacher. I want to teach little kids how to play music because I am also a great violinist.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-110674 size-large" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/calista-james-shepheard-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="683" height="1024"   /></p>
<p><strong>Calista James Shepheard</strong></p>
<p>My name is Calista James Shepheard and I am 14 years old. I attend Harrow and study ballet, jazz and tap at On Pointe Dance Studio. Ballet is my athletic and artistic outlet. Dance in general, and ballet specifically, allows me to be a performer, athlete, creator, and teammate all at the same time. I don’t just dance, I am a dancer, and it’s who I am as much as what I do. I took my first dance class at 3 years old &#8211; it was more like ‘playtime’ at a dance studio. My classes now at On Pointe are much more structured; I wish I could have started at On Pointe when I was little. This past August, I came in third overall in my age category at the Asian Grand Prix. The Asian Grand Prix is the largest classical ballet competition in Asia, held annually in Hong Kong. My dream is to be a principal dancer or ballet mistress at the Royal Ballet in London. I also love chemistry and would enjoy studying this subject in University while pursuing my ballet dreams.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-110675 size-large" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/julia-seidel-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="683" height="1024"   /></p>
<p><strong>Julia Seidel</strong></p>
<p>I am Julia Seidel and I am 10 years old, I attend the British School of Beijing in Shunyi.<br />
I chose soccer because I like running and being outside and I get to play in a team. My friends in Beijing play as well. My brother and I have played soccer with other children on the beach in South Africa, and with our friends in Australia and Germany. It’s a universal game, enjoyed all over the world. I have been playing soccer since I was eight years old, and was chosen to play with the U12 girl’s team at BSB this year (and so far we are undefeated!). I don’t want to be a professional soccer player, and right now I see my future in agriculture.</p>
<p><em>Photos: Dave&#8217;s Studio, Uni You, Chi Hong</em></p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kids-2017.11-.pdf"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-111055 size-full" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/3D-cover.jpg" alt="" width="387" height="500"   /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>This article appeared on p24-27 </em>beijingkids<em> November 2017 issue.</em><br />
<em>Download your copy <a href="http://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kids-2017.11-.pdf">here</a>.</em></p>
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		<title>BCIS Warriors – Fighting for Victory!</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2016/02/29/bcis-warriors-fighting-for-victory/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nimo_Wanjau]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Feb 2016 02:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[School News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beijing City InternationalSchool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[Sponsored by Beijing City International School (BCIS). Located in Beijing&#8217;s CBD, BCIS lives by its motto: &#8220;Empowering and Inspiring Through Challenge and Compassion.&#8221; This not-for-profit, co-educational day school provides a personalized, inclusive international curriculum under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system, offering the PYP, MYP and DP to both expatriate and Chinese national students [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="rteleft"><i><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="250" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="91" align="left" src="/files/u286347/BCIS-10th-slogan_Logo_zqrsz.jpg" />Sponsored by <a href="http://www.bcis.cn/">Beijing City International School</a> (BCIS). Located in Beijing&rsquo;s CBD, BCIS lives by its motto: &ldquo;Empowering and Inspiring Through Challenge and Compassion.&rdquo; This not-for-profit, co-educational day school provides a personalized, inclusive international curriculum under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system, offering the PYP, MYP and DP to both expatriate and Chinese national students from Toddler to Grade 12. For more information, please email admissions@bcis.cn&nbsp;</i></p>
<p class="rteleft">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="333" align="middle" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/files/u286347/20140917_U9_FootaballExchange-7.jpg" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>With enrollment nearly at 1,000 students, it is no longer the case that BCIS should be considered a relatively &ldquo;small&rdquo; school. It remains the case, however, that growth in student numbers is not making BCIS any less inclusive when it comes to its growing and thriving Athletics Program. Students from both Elementary and Secondary School levels compete in sports events as part of the International Schools Activities Conference (ISAC) and the Association of Chinese and Mongolian International School (ACAMIS), as well as with all the other major international schools within Beijing.<!--break--></p>
<p>Athletics have always presented students with unique opportunities. There&rsquo;s the chance to become a functioning member of a team and to enjoy the success that good teamwork brings &#8212; an invaluable life skill and experience. There&rsquo;s also the chance for them to travel to other cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Hong Kong, meet other students and broaden their horizons.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="333" align="middle" src="/files/u286347/IMG_8738.jpg" /></p>
<p>Over the past couple of years, BCIS students have written and reflected on their times taking part in sports activities, both as part of a team and also sometimes as a coach for younger students. Below we have some extracts, firstly from Grade 12 student, Tiger Liu:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&ldquo;Socializing is a big part of sports. When participating in the sports teams, it&rsquo;s easy to meet students you don&rsquo;t know and make new friends. During my time playing for the school sports teams, I have met many students from other grades. Most of my peers have kept their friends mostly to those in their own grade. However, I know the people who participate in sports from Grades 8 to 12. I have also started up my own badminton [extracurricular activity], during which I have tried to help younger badminton lovers improve their skills.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#8212; Tiger Liu, writing in 2014, currently in Grade 12 preparing to graduate in 2016</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="332" align="middle" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/files/u286347/Football_Warrior.jpg" /></p>
<p>Grade 11 student, Antoni Gillert, also discussed his time as a football coach for the U14 team, and how it has helped him develop at school:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&ldquo;As with every year, getting involved in the coaching program helped me gain awareness of my own strengths and weaknesses. This season, I worked particularly hard on the clarity of my instructions, making sure that players understood exactly what we asked of them&hellip;Many of the skills I have acquired on the pitch are also applicable to the classroom. In particular, I have gained more confidence when speaking in front of a larger group of people and am more willing to assume leadership roles.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#8212; Antoni Gillert, writing in 2015, currently in Grade 11</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="rtecenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="282" align="middle" src="/files/u286347/IMG_6213.png" /></p>
<p>Finally, Grace Wang in Grade 10 discussed her experiences as Captain of the U19 Volleyball Team, and in particular an ISAC Division 2 Tournament they took part in:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&ldquo;It was a tough tournament. However, as captain, I am extremely proud of how far our team has come this year. I started playing volleyball when I was in Grade 6. Throughout these five years of participating, I accomplished a lot. From playing in the U12 team, to the U14 team and now in the U19 team, I have realized that these years of practice have not only developed my skills in this sport, but have also been a great influence in developing my sportsmanship and my team bonding skills.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#8212; Grace Wang, Captain of the U19 Volleyball Girls Team, Grade 10</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="rtecenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="333" align="middle" src="http://www.beijing-kids.com/files/u286347/Basketball_2.jpg" /></p>
<p>Training hard and working together has paid off, particularly this year as BCIS Warriors are enjoying great seasons filled with victory. In January, the Boys U19 Basketball team made school history by enjoying a second undefeated season, winning their ISAC Division One Championship one week, and following the next with a stunning win in the ACAMIS Green Division Basketball Tournament final against Kaohsiung American School team from Taiwan. Grade 12 player, Sean Williamson, was awarded MVP of the tournament! A tidal wave of Warrior pride washed over the school, as the third season of the year also kicked off to an amazing start with BCIS winning all three of their first encounters against international schools in Beijing.</p>
<p>The Warrior Spirit prevails, and also educates! As the program grows, our community looks forward to more and more continued success.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;<em>Photos: BCIS</em></p>
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		<title>WABX to the MAX: the Ultimate Athletic Competition</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2012/09/27/wabx-to-the-max-the-ultimate-athletic-competition/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Beauty, Style, and Fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athletics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beijing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[school events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shunyi Happenings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[students]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western Academy of Beijing]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[&#160; Seventeen high school school athletic teams converged upon the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) on Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, to face off in WABX to the MAX. The two-day showdown featured tournaments for four activities: baseball, tennis, volleyball, and dance, with teams from Beijing international and local schools, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="35" height="332" align="middle" src="/files/u190610/volleyball_blog_0.jpg" title="Volleyball teams compete Friday at WABX  to the MAX" class="caption" /></p>
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<div>Seventeen high school school athletic teams converged upon the <a href="http://www.beijing-kids.com/directory/Western-Academy-of-Beijing">Western Academy of Beijing (WAB)</a> on Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, to face off in WABX to the MAX. The two-day showdown featured tournaments for four activities: baseball, tennis, volleyball, and dance, with teams from Beijing international and local schools, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and even Manila, Philippines.</div>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" vspace="10" hspace="35" height="332" align="middle" src="/files/u190610/baseball_blog2.jpg" title="A WAB player takes to the plate" class="caption" /></p>
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<div>Tournaments got started on Friday, with a WAB versus the <a href="http://www.beijing-kids.com/directory/The-British-School-of-Beijing">British School of Beijing (BSB)</a> on the baseball diamond. Meanwhile, boys and girls volleyball and tennis teams competed in round-robins and matches that would determine the set-ups for Saturday. The dance groups were tasked with choreographing a dance to a piece of jazz music, which music students would play live during the performance in WAB&rsquo;s Peace Park on Saturday evening.</div>
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<div>The tournament focuses on exchange and community, and students from schools outside of Beijing stayed not in hotels but in homes with WAB families. This is the second year that WAB has hosted WABX to the MAX. WAB organizes the tournament with the goal of developing links with schools that don&rsquo;t have the same facilities, and, according to WAB Athletics and Activities Director Martin Halpin, to &ldquo;carry on the goodwill of sportsmanship.&rdquo;</div>
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<div><em>Photos by Ellis Friedman</em></div>
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