Chinese students welcome Year of the Dog at the football
Chinese students with former Huddersfield Town player Andy Booth (right)The University’s Chinese students combined with Huddersfield Town FC and its Chinese sponsors OPE to celebrate the Chinese New Year
THERE was no better way for Chinese students from the University of Huddersfield to see in their New Year – the Year of the Dog – than a VIP visit to the local Premier League Football Team, also known as The Terriers, to watch them play a Premier League game against Bournemouth.
They were invited by Huddersfield Town Football Club to take part in a weekend of Chinese New Year celebrations, especially appropriate as the Club’s mascot is a Yorkshire Terrier.
The students were in the heart of all the action as they waved English and Chinese flags alongside the two competing football clubs as they entered the stadium to a roaring sell-out crowd.
The day culminated with Huddersfield beating Bournemouth with a handsome scoreline of 4-1 and the Chinese students enjoyed the winning atmosphere.
Before the match began the University's Chinese Society hosted an array of activities for fans and their families in the ground, which included calligraphy and chopstick challenges and stalls offering traditional Chinese crafts.
The University’s resident Chinese Panda also made an appearance with the Club’s mascots, Terry and Tilly the Terriers.
The students were also invited to see the fireworks display, which was attended by two Town’s players, Elias Kachunga and Jon Stanković the night before and see the infamous Jin Long Lion Dance as the evening’s revellers watched in awe.
The Club’s main sponsor is OPE Sports, a Chinese sports and gaming company and with every Huddersfield Town game beamed back to China and the UK the students were excited to know they would be on television in their home country.
The University hosts numerous international events including the Spring Festival on campus every year and is regularly applauded for the international student experience it offers to all cultures.
Pictured (l-r) Rachel Taylor, Zhen Tong, Jasmine Roebuck, Alan Tobi, Robyn Kennerdale
Alan Tobi, the University’s Student Experience Manager, said the students were really proud to represent their country and share their culture with the British public.
“The whole weekend was a glorious experience for our Chinese students,” said Alan. “The University is very happy to be working in collaboration with the Premier League and Huddersfield Town Football Club as it cements the long standing, close working relationships we have while promoting our famous town around the world.”
Sean Jarvis, the Club’s Commercial Director, added: “We were delighted to have the support of the international students from the University of Huddersfield throughout our Year of the Dog celebrations, and I would like to thank them for all their input.
“The celebratory activities they put on went down very well, and it was great to see our junior supporters learning more about the Chinese culture with the help of the students.”
Almost 1,000 Chinese students are studying at the University which operates four regional offices in China, in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xian.
There are also regional offices in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Nigeria and UAE most of which are managed by University of Huddersfield graduates, part of the commitment the University has to graduate employability.
The University’s International Office holds an array of activities throughout the year for international students to showcase their cultures and have fun with students from around the world. Students become involved with sport tournaments, food festivals, film festivals, cultural events and workshops.
- More information about International Week can be found online.