Be the best of yourself

If there is one word that captures the athletic spirit at Guanghua Academy (GHA), it is courage—the courage to compete, to push beyond limits, and to keep striving.

Our golf training base has officially opened, giving students a dedicated space to develop their game. On the rowing ergometers, students and faculty train and compete side by side, pushing themselves to the limit. In just six months, our lacrosse team rose from fifth place to become national champions, while two student-athletes earned places in the national youth development program.

Behind every achievement is a group of young people willing to put in the work.

This is athletics at GHA.

Golf: Building a High-Level Training Pathway with Championship-Level Support

During the 7th FALA Junior Golf Elite Championship, Guanghua Academy officially launched the “GHA Golf Partnership”, joining forces with Huangshan Songbai Country Golf Club and Shanghai PLAY GOLF Club to establish dedicated training facilities for our golf program. The partnership further strengthens GHA’s commitment to developing students who excel both academically and athletically.

Dr. Lei Dongdong, President of Guanghua Cambridge, said:

“GHA continues to expand opportunities for students through new athletic pathways. By leveraging the high-quality facilities and professional expertise of our partners, we are creating a strong foundation for student-athletes to pursue excellence in golf.”

Through the new golf training program, GHA will provide comprehensive support spanning instruction, training, competition, and college preparation, helping student-athletes build a pathway toward admission to leading universities through their athletic strengths.

Huangshan Songbai Country Golf Club will serve as GHA’s primary venue for on-course training and competition, with a strong focus on junior golf development. PLAY GOLF Club will serve as a dedicated instructional and practice facility, featuring one of Asia’s largest outdoor practice ranges and advanced training resources designed to support students’ technical development.

Yao Zhen, CEO of PLAY GOLF Club, said:

“We will integrate our instructional expertise and college guidance resources into the GHA program, helping student-athletes develop both their athletic potential and their readiness for university opportunities abroad.”

The program is further supported by championship-level expertise. China Tour champions Wu Tuxuan and Shen Nannan have joined the program’s Technical Committee, while Yan Jun, CEO of FALA GOLF, and Xie Yuzhi, CEO of Yuyuan Sports, have been appointed as operational advisors.

Together, these partnerships create a more comprehensive development pathway—from training and competition to long-term athletic and college goals.

Rowing: Today, We Are All Rowers

“Is the principal really competing, too?”

That was the question circulating around the covered sports court before the competition began.

On May 14, the 2026 Guanghua Cup Indoor Rowing Challenge brought students and faculty together for an afternoon of competition. Four Concept2 rowing ergometers were lined up across the court as participants took turns racing in teams and individual events.

The competition featured two categories: individual sprints and team relays. Four participants competed simultaneously on four ergometers, racing side by side.

Faculty members took the first turn. Teams of four completed a four-leg relay, with each participant rowing 500 meters. Accustomed to standing at the front of the classroom, the teachers showed the same determination on the rowing machines. Led by Principal Wan, one faculty team powered through the relay as teammates and spectators cheered them on, filling the court with energy.

The men’s and women’s elite divisions featured many members of GHA’s rowing team. Four athletes started simultaneously in each heat, demonstrating consistent technique, strong rhythm, and controlled power output—clear evidence of their regular training.

Many students who had never used a rowing ergometer before also stepped up to compete. Teams rotated through the four machines, with each athlete giving their all before the next group took over.

“It was much harder than I expected. My legs were shaking by the end, but it was so much fun!” one student said after finishing the race.

The mixed-gender, mixed-grade relay brought together four students per team, with each completing a designated distance of 500, 500, or 300 meters. As the final rower sprinted toward the finish, the cheers from across the court reached a fever pitch.

The next day, members of GHA’s rowing team were set to travel to Pinghu for an open regatta.

The covered court was more than a training ground that day—it was also a send-off.

May every GHA student-athlete have the courage to push harder, row stronger, and compete with confidence on their own course.

Lacrosse: Growing Stronger Through Competition—and Earning National Recognition

Among GHA’s three core athletic programs, lacrosse has also continued to make remarkable progress through consistent training and competition.

In just six months, the team went from fifth place at the Anhui tournament to winning the championship and finishing third at the Tianjin tournament—a remarkable turnaround built on hard work, discipline, and perseverance.

Even more encouragingly, two GHA lacrosse players were selected for the national youth lacrosse development training camp based on their strong performances. They will now enter a higher-intensity training program as they prepare for upcoming international competition.

Their progress reflects what GHA athletics is all about: showing up, putting in the work, learning from competition, and continually raising the standard.

Building Student-Athletes for Both Academic and Athletic Excellence

Golf, rowing, and lacrosse are three of GHA’s core athletic programs.

In 2026, GHA plans to recruit 10 student-athletes with a focus on lacrosse, open to both male and female students.

At GHA, athletics is not treated as separate from academic development. The school has established an integrated academic and athletic development model, combining structured training schedules with individualized academic support so that students can pursue athletic excellence without compromising their academic goals.

For students whose training and competition schedules create academic conflicts, GHA provides targeted academic accommodations and support. The school also offers Academic & Athletic Excellence Scholarships to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in both the classroom and their sport.

As athletes progress, they receive comprehensive guidance from experienced coaches and professional teams in China and abroad, with training covering advanced technical and tactical development as well as sport-specific strength and conditioning.

Drawing on its international education resources, GHA also provides NCAA-focused college guidance and recruitment support, helping student-athletes understand the U.S. college athletics landscape, identify appropriate opportunities, and present their academic and athletic profiles effectively throughout the college application process.