Tianjin captain Zhang Lu lends his talents on the pitch to charity

By Sportswriters Wu Shuguang and Spencer Musick

BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- All famous footballers got where they are through their work on the pitch. But after making a name for themselves, they often decide to branch out into other endeavors, charity work being chief among them.

That's the case for Zhang Lu, goalkeeper and captain of China's top-flight club Tianjin Quanjian. Zhang initiated a football charity project in late 2016. The project aims to harness Zhang's star power to spur the development of campus football in China.

Zhang paid visits to eight schools in Liaoning and Tianjin in November and December of 2016, providing young football players with professional equipment, and showing them how to make a good save.

"Liaoning has given me a lot, as I spent 12 years here and got married and have kids. I love Liaoning and want to do something for the popularization of campus football here," said Zhang.

"The project has a three-year plan. I will visit 20 schools in Liaoning and Tianjin to provide professional guidance," Zhang added.

Zhang, born in Tianjin in 1987, received football training from the Tianjin Locomotive football club before joining Liaoning club at 16. He went back to his hometown club Tianjin Quanjian in the China League One in 2016, and only conceded 27 goals, which greatly contributed to Quanjian's promotion to the Chinese Super League (CSL), and was likely the reason that Zhang Lu won the Gold Glove Award of the China League One that season.

China's football reform plan, put forward in 2015, calls for a renewed focus on training and fostering young football talents early.

"We can't overstate how important it is for primary school students to receive professional training," Zhang said.

"The students were all excited when Zhang came to our school. He is a first choice goalkeeper for a CSL club, and schools in rural areas like us definitely need professional guidance from him," said Peng Jingyang, PE teacher and football coach of Woniushi primary school in Faku county, Shenyang.

"The lack of coaches is one of the biggest obstacles to football's growth at the school level, and we especially lack goalkeeping coaches," Peng said. Peng took some courses on how to coach young players, but it was more on a theoretical level.

Sun Dongliang, goalkeeper for Yangcun No. 10 primary school in Tianjin, gets excited when he recalls being coached by Zhang.

"Zhang taught me how to be a good goalkeeper, including how to stand, and how to make a good save. I corrected my mistakes after his careful guidance. He also told me how to conquer my fear when saving a ball, and that is very important," said Sun Dongliang, who has been practicing goalkeeping for over two years.

Zhang Lu is fully aware of the need for coaching at the grassroots level, so much so that he gave his personal phone number to his pupils.

"Football has given me a lot, and I want to give back," said Zhang. "Students like Sun Dongliang can contact me whenever they are in need of help."

"I thought it was only a gesture before Zhang came to our school. But he took it seriously, warming up first, then theory, then hand-to-hand teaching, and then a match," said Li Hongbao, schoolmaster of Yangcun No. 10 primary school.

After several visits to schools, Zhang came to realize that the students not only need professional equipments and guidance, they also want role models.

"I want to be a role model for those young players," Zhang said.

"It is clear to me that a lot of work remains to be done... but I will continue carrying on. I am supporting campus football for the good of Chinese footbal more generally," said Zhang, adding that he will continue his charity work to help develop grassroots football.

Zhang Lu already has a coaching license issued by Chinese Football Association, but says he has gained more by simply working with the young players.

"The experience is also beneficial for me, because I have to improve myself in order to give them the right guidance," said Zhang. Enditem