Background: SSI was founded by Jimmy Stewart, a former college basketball player. Prior to settling in Hong Kong, Stewart led teams of athletes to Thailand and Japan to conduct camps, clinics and exhibition games. Stewart has also been invited by the People's Republic of China to conduct workshops in its National Sports University.
Through such experiences, Stewart realized the potential of sports as a tool for bridging social, cultural and communication barriers resulting in opportunities for training, education and honest discussion about issues important to young people.
Guiding Principles: With the goal of meeting the needs of Hong Kong youth, SSI programs are designed to encourage growth in four distinct areas:
Physical: learning new athletic skills, bringing the body into good physical condition by exercising, practicing healthy eating habits, and supplying the body with adequate rest.
Mental: academically, we provide opportunities for students to practice and learn English through casual conversation and/or tutoring. We also hope to challenge students through the intellectual aspects of sports, including knowledge of the game, remaining open to constructive criticism, having a teachable attitude, setting high goals and aiming to become the best one can.
Social/Emotional: opportunity to become friends with coaches from different countries/cultures; interaction with other students; practicing commitment to sports training; learning to never give up on the hope that weaknesses can become strengths.
Spiritual: we believe that being in right relationship with the Creator God is the key element to being a "whole" person, so we hold discussion groups where students can talk about relevant topics (such as "pressure to succeed," etc.).
In addition to these four aspects, SSI staff provide a friendly and open environment where students feel free to relax and have fun while they are learning.
Finally, recognizing that the relationship between coaches and players can have a significant long-term impact, SSI staff strive to maintain on-going relationships with students involved in SSI programs. To augment this, SSI tries to arrange all activities in partnership with members of local schools, churches and other organizations to increase the number of adults available to participate.
Guiding Principles: With the goal of meeting the needs of Hong Kong youth, SSI programs are designed to encourage growth in four distinct areas:
Physical: learning new athletic skills, bringing the body into good physical condition by exercising, practicing healthy eating habits, and supplying the body with adequate rest.
Mental: academically, we provide opportunities for students to practice and learn English through casual conversation and/or tutoring. We also hope to challenge students through the intellectual aspects of sports, including knowledge of the game, remaining open to constructive criticism, having a teachable attitude, setting high goals and aiming to become the best one can.
Social/Emotional: opportunity to become friends with coaches from different countries/cultures; interaction with other students; practicing commitment to sports training; learning to never give up on the hope that weaknesses can become strengths.
Spiritual: we believe that being in right relationship with the Creator God is the key element to being a "whole" person, so we hold discussion groups where students can talk about relevant topics (such as "pressure to succeed," etc.).
In addition to these four aspects, SSI staff provide a friendly and open environment where students feel free to relax and have fun while they are learning.
Finally, recognizing that the relationship between coaches and players can have a significant long-term impact, SSI staff strive to maintain on-going relationships with students involved in SSI programs. To augment this, SSI tries to arrange all activities in partnership with members of local schools, churches and other organizations to increase the number of adults available to participate.
