DHSZ v.s. DHHQ: Sports Exchange Recap
Between 22 and 23 May, more than 20 student athletes from the Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou arrived at Dulwich Hengqin. Led by teachers from the school's sports department, the group travelled across cities to take part in a two-day friendly sports.
As part of the Dulwich schools under the Dulwich International Schools network, students from Suzhou and Hengqin spent two days on the courts. From one-on-one table tennis and badminton matches to team basketball and volleyball competitions, every rally was filled with determination.
Left: Dulwich Hengqin Team, Right: Dulwich High School Suzhou Team
Ms Zhu, a maths teacher and Dulwich Hengqin alumna who was once a member of the school sports team and participated in numerous inter-school competitions, shared her insights with the athletes taking part in the event.
'During my time at Dulwich Hengqin, I took part in three big sports tournaments, of which two were in Suzhou. And I remember exactly where I was standing--nervous, excited, and not sure how well I would do in the competitions. And what I learned during those tournaments wasn't just how to win. I learned how to lose and get back up. I learned that your teammates become something like family. I learned that the opponents on the other side of the court can become friends you never expected. Those tournaments gave me more than medals. They gave me the courage to lead, patience to listen, and the belief that small failures are just fuel for something better. Let's enjoy the game! '
Day One: Fast-paced singles and seamless mixed doubles
Table tennis and badminton took centre stage on the first day. While the singles matches were individual displays, the mixed doubles matches were a test of trust. After round after round of friendly competition, the players from the two schools went from being strangers to being opponents who would clap each other on the back in unison. There were no solemn tactical discussions on the sidelines; after the matches, players would pat each other on the shoulder and laugh, saying, 'Your backhand is brilliant!'
Day Two: Team Matches – Friendship First!
The basketball and volleyball matches kicked off on time at nine o'clock sharp on the second day. The morning session featured simultaneous girls' volleyball and boys' basketball, while the next session saw girls' basketball and boys' volleyball take to the court one after the other.
However, the most unexpected moment of the entire event occurred during the second half of the boys' volleyball. At their teacher's signal, the Dulwich Hengqin Boys' volleyball players put on red vests and entered the 'territory' of Dulwich High School Suzhou. The two teams then swapped players!
Two players who had just been trading blows across the net suddenly became partners, leaping side by side at the net. The score continued to tick up, but victory or defeat had become secondary. The audience watched intently as the new players integrated into their teams immediately and took their positions.
In that moment, sport was no longer a competition, but a shared language.
Exchange extends beyond the playing field
The value that sport offers each individual goes far beyond scores and victories. It is the composure when trailing and the focus when leading. It is the grace to shake hands even after losing a set. Students gradually embed these intangible qualities — resilience, respect, cooperation and responsibility.
This is precisely what the Dulwich International School network provides: an opportunity for students from different campuses to meet, compete and collaborate in person. Sport is just one part of the Dulwich family. There are also ensemble performances at the Worldwise Festival of Music, Drama Workshop at the Shakespeare Festival, the Dulwich Olympia as well as the Student Leadership Conference.
This is a platform that truly enables students from different Dulwich International Schools campuses to get to know, learn from and engage with one another.
Mr Tim Rees, Director of Sports, Dulwich High School Suzhou:
'This was my second time being involved in the Dulwich Suzhou and Hengqin Sports Exchange, and once again it was an incredible weekend filled with competition, sportsmanship, and opportunities to create lasting friendships and memories.
I was especially proud of the students from both high schools, who not only gave their best effort in every competition but also consistently demonstrated our shared school values. Their positive attitude, respect for others, and willingness to support and connect truly showed what it means to be part of the Dulwich family of schools.
On behalf of Dulwich International High School Suzhou, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Dulwich Hengqin for creating such a fantastic sporting experience. We greatly appreciate your hospitality and look forward to welcoming and hosting you in the future.'
