Dr Leung: a complete insight into daily issues

While many children dream of being able to sprint as fast as Maurice Green or Marion Jones, far fewer can imagine actually running the national team. Although the role of the manager might not be as glamorous as that of the athletes, it forms an invaluable contribution to the team's efforts that is often overlooked in terms of glory. Requiring a high level of organisation and administration skills, this is a demanding job that needs a great deal of commitment.

Aspiring sports and recreation managers, however, can learn all they need to know in order to succeed by taking Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)'s BA (Hons) degree course in Physical Education and Recreation Management. And, with a post-graduation employment rate of 100 percent for the last ten years, this course guarantees a gold when it comes to employment options.

HKBU has long been renowned for its pioneering, broad-based interactive programmes. Since its establishment in 1956, it has strived to maintain a careful balance between teaching, research and academic excellence, while offering practical training and helping its students ensure they have jobs when they graduate. However, what is perhaps less well known is the fact that HKBU houses one of the best physical education programmes in Hong Kong.

The Department of Physical Education was originally just a unit within the university, but was promoted to a department in 1992. Back then, many people believed that the only sports careers available were either in teaching or as athletes, but HKBU recognised that few courses were available to train budding sports executives in the art of sports management. Initially offering a BA in Recreation Studies, the course was reaccredited in 1997 and the new-and-improved BA in Physical Education and Recreation Management was born.

Today, as Dr Leung Mee-Lee, head and associate professor, Department of Physical Education, says, "The BA course aims to provide students with sufficient depth in the discipline to allow them to pursue a career in the field of recreation management."

"Only about six to seven percent of our students go on to teach physical education in schools," Dr Leung continues. "About 40 percent of our graduates now work for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Many go on to work for voluntary agencies, such as the YMCA, or clubs, such as the Jockey Club."

"Other dedicated students have gone on to work for national sports associations such as the Table Tennis Association and the Amateur Athletics Association," she says. It is worth pointing out that Dr Leung herself is an Honorary Deputy Secretary of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

Each student attending the BA course must complete foundation subjects such as human anatomy and physiology. Skills and core subjects, such as the prevention and care of sports injuries, are also covered. Much emphasis is placed on research and methodology and each student is required to undergo either teaching practice or an internship. On top of this, more specialist subjects are available as electives.

The course not only enables graduates to handle the daily administration involved in running a big club or association; it also teaches them how to maintain financial control and budget for new plans. In addition, they learn how to develop policies for both safety and employment and are provided with a complete insight into the daily issues at hand in the industry.

Those interested in completing the BA in Physical Education and Recreation Management are up against stiff competition, with only 30 students accepted every year. Entry requirements are fairly basic, however, and either two A levels or one A level and two AS level subjects as well as Grade E in both English and Chinese language are required.

Dr Leung concludes, "We offer the best course in recreation management in the territory and we have some of the best facilities for students to learn on. It isn't hard to see why we are so popular."

Course information

First-class facilities The research facilities offered by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)'s Department of Physical Education are unrivalled throughout Hong Kong - most notably in the field of research. The Dr Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness was established in 1996 and is dedicated to providing professional training for workers in the field of health fitness and recreational management and the development of physical recreation and wellness. Housing hi-tech equipment designed to measure aerobic capacity and muscle tone, the centre takes its research considerably further than the basic fitness tests featured at gyms around town. While its subjects are not professional athletes, the facility has gone some way in making progress in the field. All full-time students are encouraged to work here, although they must be supervised at all times. The university also boasts some first-class sports facilities. The Wai Hang Sports Centre provides a wide range of sports facilities for students, staff and alumni. These include a swimming pool, a multi-purpose hall that can be used for basketball, volleyball and badminton, three squash courts, an activity room for dancing, a fitness room, a multi-purpose classroom and two rooftop tennis courts. The Dr Stephen Hui Sports Hall is another multi-purpose hall, which can be used for basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor tennis, table-tennis and gymnastics. In addition, students and staff can use the sports facilities at the Joint Sports Centre, jointly owned by the City University of Hong Kong, HKBU and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The centre has a grass soccer pitch, a synthetic all-weather running track, facilities for field events, four tennis courts and a multi-purpose hard court for football, basketball and handball activities. "This centre was 15 years in the making," says Dr Leung Mee-Lee, head and associate professor, Department of Physical Education, HKBU. "It was my baby. I came up with the idea many years ago, when I was working at Hong Kong Polytechnic, and it eventually opened in 1998. It can seat 1,015 people and is a huge asset for the university."

Taken from Career Times 2003/09/05