French coach kicks the ball in for Sanya youth soccer

During a training break, he invited a 7-year-old boy to demonstrate a dribbling move. The technique was basic, but Brevot-Choplin nodded in encouragement.

"Soccer is not only about competition," he explains.

"It helps children build confidence, learn discipline, and understand teamwork."

Brevot-Choplin says working with young players in China is fundamentally the same as working elsewhere. "Soccer is a game of observation," he points out. "You need to watch and understand. You don't need many words."

Using a few simple Chinese instructions, he communicates smoothly with his players on the field.

While visiting partner schools, Brevot-Choplin noticed that many campuses have soccer pitches and teams, but few opportunities for regular competitions. "Matches are very important," he stresses. "More games and more exchanges help players improve faster."

He has since promoted the idea of a local school soccer championship and invited youth teams from other cities to train and play in Sanya. Last summer, a youth team from Beijing took part in joint training sessions.

Brevot-Choplin adds that his work has been supported by services available in the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City. "What attracted me to Sanya was its friendly environment for foreign entrepreneurs," he says, citing the convenience of registration and daily operations.

Looking ahead, he hopes to expand youth soccer programs, support school competitions, and train more local coaches.

"Children in Sanya must continue to dream of soccer," he says.

"If one day more Chinese players stand on the world stage, I will be proud to know I was part of that process."