There is something special happening across the fields, gyms and sidelines at YCIS Beijing — and if you’ve been anywhere near the action this year, you’ve felt it.

Our athletics programme is alive with energy. Students are stepping up, trying new sports, cheering each other on, and pushing themselves in ways that go far beyond a scoreboard. And honestly, that’s the magic — because here, sport is not just a game. It’s an experience that shapes who our students are and who they’re becoming.

From our youngest competitors in U9 all the way up to our U19 squads, the message is the same: everyone is welcome, everyone belongs, and everyone has something to contribute. Whether it’s a first swing of a badminton racket, a nervous first serve over the volleyball net, or the thrill of representing YCIS at a tournament on a big stage, our programme gives students a place to be part of something bigger than themselves.

It’s easy to talk about wins, scorelines and trophies — and we absolutely celebrate them — but the heartbeat of YCIS sport is character. It’s the moments few people see. The student who arrives early to help set up equipment. The team that stays behind to cheer for another squad. The quiet athlete who works for weeks to master a skill and lights up the court when it finally comes together. These are the victories we remember.

Sport teaches lessons that go way beyond the game. Resilience when things don’t go your way. Respect for teammates, referees and opponents. Belief in yourself when the pressure is on. Pride in wearing the YCIS jersey and representing your school and community. And maybe most importantly — learning to lift each other up. Because at YCIS, we win together, we lose together, and we grow together.

And none of this happens without our incredible community. The parents who brave traffic to get students to training. The volunteers who run stations, keep score and make sure everything runs smoothly. The teachers who give their time after school and on weekends. And the coaches who pour their passion into helping students succeed on and off the field. The Scorpions spirit is real — and it belongs to all of us.

What we’re building at YCIS is more than a sports programme. It’s a place where friendships form, confidence grows, and every student can feel they are part of something meaningful. It’s a space where students discover abilities they didn’t even know they had. Where they challenge themselves, learn from setbacks, bounce back stronger and feel truly proud of the effort they put in.

So as the seasons roll on, the gyms fill up, the pitches get marked and the next group of Scorpions get ready to step out and play, we’re excited — because the story is just getting started. Our students are showing up, giving their all and setting a standard that makes the whole school proud.

We can’t wait to see what comes next.