Social sports instructors are essential to the national fitness movement. As of now, over 180,000 individuals have registered on “Zheliban”, an online administrative service platform of Zhejiang Province, as social sports instructors.

To recognize the important role of social sports instructors in national fitness, the 2024 Zhejiang Social Sports Instructors National Fitness Volunteer Service Achievement Exchange and Fitness Carnival was held at Hengdian World Studios, Dongyang, from December 14-15, bringing together outstanding representatives of social sports instructors and volunteer teams from across the province for further advancements in national fitness development. The event featured presentations and an award ceremony to commend outstanding individuals and organizations, including the “Most Beautiful Social Sports Instructors” and “Best Vibrant Organizations”.

At the event, national fitness organizations and volunteer teams from across the province demonstrated their skills in rope jumping, fitness exercises, taekwondo, Tai Chi, and more. Additionally, their stories were presented to showcase the dedication and work of social sports instructors and professionals from primary-level sports organizations for the new era, promote their exemplary role, and enhance their sense of recognition, pride, and mission toward national fitness initiatives.

As a representative of the most beautiful social sports instructors for the rural revitalization initiative in 2024, Lin Weiya, Director of the Cultural Station in Hepu Town, Xiangshan County, has been dedicated to sowing the seeds of health and vitality in rural areas. She renovated 326 outdoor fitness facilities, replaced 12 basketball stands, completed three rural revitalization projects, and built five new public gyms and five multifunctional sports fields. 

These efforts significantly enhanced the public sports infrastructure in Hepu Town. Currently, Hepu has 20 sports teams, including square dancing, table tennis, and cycling. By actively organizing sports events, the town strives to inject sustainable impetus to rural revitalization and the wellbeing of local residents. She mentioned that many new sports teams are under preparation to get more women involved.

During the presentation, Gao Chunqin, an elementary school P.E. teacher from Shaoxing, wowed the audience with a diabolo performance. Since 2008, she has been dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the diabolo sports, volunteering an impressive 600 times and a total of 1,200 hours in 2024 alone. Over the years, she has personally funded awards for 900 students and provided online and in-person instructions for 2,000 students during holidays, bringing this traditional sports to a wider audience.

Stories like this are countless. There are many exceptional social sports instructors, working in communities across the province. They come from all walks of life. Some are retired or current athletes, coaches, or referees, and some are fitness gurus or sports enthusiasts. What they all share is their expertise in sports, top-notch fitness skills, and a strong commitment to public services. They dedicate their time and knowledge to promoting fitness for all.

When asked what this role has brought them, their answers can be summarized as follows: “Giving back brings joy.”

During the event, social sports instructors enjoyed an immersive, time-traveling experience at the Dream Bund of Hengdian World Studios through various sports. A fitness challenge, which comprised both traditional and new sports like pickleball, wuji ball, and Cuju, created a thrilling experience for participants. Cheng Xiaoqin and Jiang Juhua, two representatives from Huzhou City, said, “The venues scatter around the scenic area, combining sightseeing with skill challenge.” In addition, outstanding social sports instructors visited the Palace of Emperor Qin. They promoted new sports when offering high-standard and scientific fitness instructions to local communities.

In recent years, social sports instructors have remained on track to meet the goal of building Zhejiang into a strong modern sports province. Social sports instructors and local sports organizations, as effective partners of the sports authorities, have taken an active part in the national fitness movement in both urban and rural communities. Their efforts have contributed to breaking down barriers to fitness accessibility and advancing a more robust service system.