Zhou - Youth tour to China exciting opportunity

PAPEETE, Tahiti – Tong Zhou can’t wait to bring the best of Chinese culture and football to young Kiwis looking for a new experience this July.

Zhou, 34, is a community coach with Auckland City FC and delivers programmes across the city where he has touched the lives of many young people from a range of different cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The impact has been profound for the children and youth with Zhou’s background as a former professional football player in China helping touch the lives of many young Chinese New Zealanders.

I really love my community coaching job and enjoy the every moment spent with the kids I’m teaching.

I’d love to see my kids improving football skills in a way that helping them to grow both physically, mentally and as young athletes.

My dream is to establish an international academy here at Kiwitea Street, in which I’ll try my best to recruit more community kids into my program and eventually into the club’s player pathway.

Now Zhou is preparing to take an U-10 to U-13 youth team to China in July thanks to a unique relationship with Tianjin Football Association, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger FC, Beijing Guoan FC, the Dajili Group Ltd and Ikicer Ltd.

We are looking to take a squad of players to China in July to have a rich cultural experience in a unique football environment.

We have spaces in our squad and would love to hear from parents who feel this is an opportunity they would like to have for their child, Zhou told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

I am really excited about visiting China with the club and this young squad.

This is going to be a crucial step for Auckland City FC to enter the thoughts of football fans in Asia but maybe just as importantly, this project would greatly promote the cultural study/exchange programs between different cultures.

I am really keen to take part in any programs that would help consolidating the friendship between our two countries, Zhou added.

The OFC Champions League has reached the final stage with the Navy Blues set to meet AS Pirae in the competition’s title decider, but also around the corner is the FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025 next June.

The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup is going to be an unprecedented event for both my club and myself.

It’s impact is so significant that people will be watching us all over the world.

I believe that to compete against top tier clubs are dreams of all my team-mates and we are ready for the challenge. I am really looking forward to it, he said.

If you want to know more about the tour to China then contact the club at the details below.

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