Our U20 Boys Volleyball team captain and U20 Boys Football team co-captain Jared Gallagher (Year 13) has been playing football since the age of 10. Let’s check out his sports philosophies!

Q: What were your most memorable sports at YCIS?

A: During the semi-finals at the ISSFHK Volleyball Championships, I was injured so I was unable to play for the rest of the game and in the final. Even though we ultimately lost the final, to watch a group of players, who had little to no prior experience of playing volleyball, get to the finals was one of the proudest moments for me as captain. I knew I had done my job because each teamplayer knew their own abilities and were playing for themselves and with confidence. It was a proud moment for me to see that growth.

Q: What did playing competitive sports teach you?

A: Playing sports has taught me that you need to take a step back and delegate responsibilities. If you take on everything, you will end up wearing yourself out. It is unrealistic and unsustainable. Many times in the past, I thought I could do everything on my own and that if I took that burden upon myself, then I would get the best results. I learnt that through losing games, or even winning games but in a much more difficult manner than otherwise. One of the biggest lessons I have learnt so far is I cannot single handedly do everything on my own. My teammates can do just as much, if not more, than I can. 

When you are a team sports player, you also get to take on different roles on the team. Not everyone has leadership qualities but students can still be very focused on their own role within the team. That is completely fine because at the end of the day everyone is helping out each other. You learn to accept your role within the team. 

Q: How did you balance sports and your studies?

A: It has always been something I have done since I was young. At the end of the day, I am a student first. I am not a professional athlete. My job is to achieve the best grades I possibly can. I cannot get into university solely based on my athletic endeavours so I need to make sure I am equally strong in my studies too. Having that sort of mindset is a must for me. It’s not a choice.

Q: How did teachers at YCIS support your interests in sports?

A: The P.E. teachers have been very helpful because they organise our training, transportation and everything else. We always know what is happening at all times. That helps us to coordinate our busy schedules because a lot of student athletes are also very academically inclined too. All our subject teachers are also very accommodating. They allow us to leave class early so we can play in a game, or even for a few days if we have to play in a tournament abroad. I imagine it is not easy for teachers when students have to miss lessons to play sports because they have to make more preparations to ensure they catch up. I am either given the information prior to the lesson or I can always catch up afterwards. I am very thankful that I can play sports without having to worry that I might miss out in class. 

Q: Some students would like to try sports but are intimidated by the competition. How would you encourage them? 

A: I definitely understand that feeling, especially when younger students see older players well known in the school team. It can definitely be very daunting. If a student ever feels worried, they can always approach the P.E. teachers. They would be more than willing to bring them into the fold. What many students do not realise is that once they are in the team, the camaraderie and the sportsmanship within the group is unlike anything else you have ever experienced. Everyone is looking for each other, be it your coach, your teammates or even the teachers who come to watch you play. They all want to watch you succeed to the highest degree. There is no fighting between members in the team because it is all healthy competition. I think students sometimes think, “He or she might be better than me,” but at the end of the day, if someone is better than you, it gives you an opportunity to learn. People need to look at sports more holistically rather than just from an athletic point of view because sports helps you grow in many different ways. 

At YCIS, we support children to build collaboration and teamwork skills through different activities such as through Learning Communities, or Sports. Click to know more about our co-curricular activities or join our upcoming Information Sessions to learn more about YCIS’s curriculum and education philosophies.