February 1999

Gymnastics and Hockey:

Feminine Vs. Masculine?!

     There are some special kinds of physical education programmes available to university students. Two of them are gymnastics and hockey.

     Gymnastics is one of the physical education elective courses provided for students at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

     Ms Hon Kwai-yue, Director of Physical Education Unit of CUHK, said: "The programme started when Chung Chi College was still an independent college.

     "When the four colleges merged together to form CUHK, this course became open to all students."

     "Ms Hon explained that offering this kind of physical education course is to improve the students' health and fitness through training in vault, uneven bars, balanced beam and floor exercise.

     Ms Hon said that these training are particularly suitable for girls.

     Said she: "They require skills of certain difficulties and some dance-like movements.

     "They train every part of the body. For example, exercising on balanced beam trains one's balancing ability while uneven bars can strengthen one's arms and upper legs," Ms Hon said.

     To sum up, gymnastics requires strong sense of rhythm and gracefulness.

     Through all these training, students can gain good forms in walking and the confidences to present themselves in real life.

     Ng Kwan-ling is a Year 1 social work student. She took gymnastics as her physical education elective course last semester.

     She said: "I chose this course since it did not require me to expose under the sun.

     "Besides, I had played balanced beam when I was in secondary school. I think that gymnastics would not be too difficult."

     Ms Hon said that gymnastics is good for teenage girls.

     Said Ms Hon: "In fact, gymnastics can train their bodies' flexibility."

     Each college in CUHK has a gymnastics class. However, the courses are not for boys.

     Ms Hon explained: "As few boys applied for the course, the University stopped offering it to them.

     While CUHK offers gymnastics for girls, the Hong Kong University provides hockey to hall residents.

     Mr. Danny Lai, a Year 3 finance student, is the coach of Swire Hall's hockey team.

     According to him, hockey has a long history at HKU. Each hostel has its own hockey team.

     "Originally, hockey was not offered to all hall students. However, they can now all participate in this activity," said Danny.

     There are numbers of reasons which drive Danny to stay in the hockey team, despite of the long hours of training.

     Said he: "Through practising hockey over and over again, I have improved the skill a lot. This gives me great satisfaction.

     "I hope that I can represent Hong Kong in overseas hockey competitions. It becomes my goal and I'll strive for it."

     One of the team members, Leanne Chan, a Year 1 student majoring electronic and electrical engineering, said: "You have to think twice before taking the next step.

     "That means you not only need to be physically fit, but also need to be skilful in playing."

     The hockey team is taught by a coach who is elected by the team members.

     "Usually, those who have been playing for a long time in the team will become the coaches.

     "Sometimes, former members may come back to teach the team," said Danny.

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