education
Callum Beattie, age 17
Student and budding footballer
While he hasn't reached the career
stage yet, 17-year-old Callum Beattie’s
life has definitely been influenced by
sport, in particular by football.
Callum moved to Hong Kong age
six and attended French International
School before moving across to South
Island School in year 7.
Callum initially played both football
and rugby – he was in the Hong Kong
National Rugby setup for a couple of
years and also played football with
the Hong Kong Football Club. It was
in football that things started to open
up, though. “I was asked to play for a
team in a men’s league at the age of
14. I was enjoying football more than
rugby at the time; also, knowing that
academics were going to be important,
I realised I had to stop one of the
sports, so I focussed on football.”
When Callum was just 15 he was
promoted to playing for the top men’s
team at the Hong Kong Football Club.
The team went on to win the league,
making it the best amateur team in
Hong Kong.
In March 2018, Callum took
part in Hong Kong's first football
scouting event for US and Hong Kong
universities. During the event, which
was run by sports recruitment company
Sportsync and Affinity Sport, he was
'spotted' and approached by a number
of US universities. He was encouraged
to realise that his dream of playing
football at a more serious level could
become reality. He had a number of
conversations with head coaches at the
US universities, and really appreciated
their advice on playing in the US.
Callum is now coming to the end
of his time in secondary school, and is
looking forward to going to university.
Despite not sitting his IB exams until
May, he already has an offer from
a NCAA Division 1 university – St
Bonaventure in New York State, and
will be starting in August 2019 with a
sports scholarship.
Try to be the most
hardworking one
in training and the
rewards will come
in the games.
Callum is very aware of needing
to continue the juggling act between
academics and training. “I’ve always
been able to go to every game and
training session as I get my work done
and handed in on time. Academics
are top priority.” And he realises this
is something he needs to continue in
university; if you don't keep up with
your academic grades, you're not
allowed to play football.
“Sport has definitely taught me to be
patient, and confidence and motivation
is something a sportsperson needs
in order to succeed and constantly
improve.” Callum works hard to keep
on top of his game and advises others
to do the same: “Try to be the most
hardworking one in training and the
rewards will come in the games.”
Callum's latest wins have included
winnning the All Hong Kong Schools
Jing Ying Football Tournament (in which
Callum captained South Island School
to victory and was awarded Best
Defender of the Tournament), and the
The Singapore Soccer Sevens with his
HKFC team.
Callum tries to go to the gym at
least three times a week – in addition
to training and playing matches. He
has qualified to be a young referee for
football and referees for younger teams
in the Hong Kong Junior League. He
also undertook the Level
1 Coaching Course for
Football.
Callum’s ultimate goal
is “to play at a professional
level of football, hopefully
to the best standard
possible.” We hope this
dream comes true for
Callum and look forward
to updating readers on his
progress…
Spring 2019
55