On May 9, the Wuxi team delivered a dominant 3-1 victory over defending champions Taizhou in the Su Super League, igniting football passion across the city. The following days saw triumphant players participating in special events in Jiangyin and Xishan, filled with heartfelt interactions and warm camaraderie.
Jiangyin City
On the afternoon of May 11, Wuxi team captain Xie Zhiwei and player Ding Wentao visited Nanzha Central Primary School, Xie’s alma mater, to engage with the school’s “Shangxian” youth football team. The players shared their football journeys, discussing training routines and on-field insights, while spreading the spirit of perseverance, collaboration, and dedication that defines the Wuxi team.
During the exchange, Xie expressed his honor in representing Wuxi and admitted feeling nervous returning to his alma mater, where he spent three years before attending Jiangyin Sports School. “I never wanted to give up. Training was tough, but it was all worth it,” Xie shared. Ding recalled his childhood training, full of hard work and sweat, and the joy of scoring goals and celebrating with teammates: “Scoring a goal—the moment teammates embrace you—is the happiest.”
In a simple yet touching ceremony, young players presented flowers and red scarves to Xie and Ding as a tribute to their football heroes. Xie was appointed as an “off-campus counselor” for Nanzha Central Primary School, pledging to support the school’s football development. The Wuxi team also gifted autographed footballs to the children, symbolizing hopes and blessings for their football dreams.
“Have you ever wanted to give up during your football career? How did you get through it?” “What do you enjoy most about professional football?” “What do you do when you’re not training?” Facing these sincere questions from the young players, Xie and Ding patiently answered one by one, sharing their personal experiences and encouraging the children to face challenges head-on, persist in their passion, and grow through football.
After the discussion, the Wuxi players transformed into coaches, guiding the youth team through foundational skills like passing and shooting, as well as tactical techniques. The children were enthusiastic, mimicking and practicing diligently under the players’ professional and patient instruction, filling the green field with youthful energy and passion.
Xishan District
On the afternoon of May 11, a Wuxi team team-building activity unfolded at Wuxi University, brimming with youthful vitality and football fervor. The district’s sports department expressed gratitude to the players for their outstanding performances and introduced professional football to campus, fostering a bridge between elite and school football.
The Wuxi team appeared in uniform, mingling with the university’s football team, posing for photos while cheers of “Wuxi, go for it!” reverberated across the field. Players Tong Le and Liu Yuhao demonstrated impressive skills—juggling and precision shooting—earning applause from the audience. During passing and intercepting drills, the Wuxi players patiently taught techniques and shared practical tactics, engaging in exchanges that enhanced everyone’s growth.
“It’s thrilling to interact with professional players up close! They are friendlier and more down-to-earth than on screen,” said Zhou, a member of Wuxi University’s team. The exchange not only taught him practical skills but also reinforced his determination to pursue his football dreams.
As a backup training base for the Wuxi team, Wuxi University has provided comprehensive support including training facilities, medical assistance, and accommodations, equipped with liquid nitrogen chambers, rowing machines, and professional strength training gear. Team logistics manager Zhou Zehao noted that the team meticulously prepares for matches through video analysis and tactical refinement during every training session. The players expressed that they will channel the support from all sectors into motivation, striving for better results in upcoming games to honor their fans and contribute to Wuxi football development.
Wuxi University Party Secretary Zhang Yonghong remarked: “It is a great honor to engage in in-depth exchanges with the Wuxi team, offering a rare competitive opportunity and exemplifying school-local cooperation and sports-education integration. Cultivating high-quality applied talents requires not only solid book knowledge but also robust health and resilient mentality.” He added that the university will use this partnership to introduce diverse sports culture into campus life.
Green fields chase dreams—enough excitement! Let us cheer for the Wuxi team once more and wish the young talents on campus fulfill their love for the sport and bloom in the sunlight.
