Mr. Smith: For a passion, for a change

“I started with sport through my family,” he recalls. “I simply liked playing, especially football. In the UK, where I live, you see kids playing on the streets, on lawns, in car parks, nearly anywhere. Football is so popular, it’s for everyone.”

“But as I grew up, I realized I was actually more skilled at rugby than football, so that’s where I focused.”

When asked whether there was a decisive moment that sparked his commitment to sport, he shakes his head. “Not exactly. It was more of a process than a single moment,” he explains. “But I had a brilliant PE teacher, and that definitely gave me the boost to think, ‘Yes, that’s what I’d like to do.’”   

 Mr. Smith playing football 15 years ago

His sporting life has not been smooth sailing, either, most notably with numerous injuries, a familiar subject when rugby is discussed. 

“I mean, you get injuries with any sort of sport,” says Mr. Smith candidly. “Doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at, you’re going to get hurt.” He then said, “Personally, I don’t believe they are by any means all bad, the slight injuries, because no one ever walks into a sport looking forward to getting hurt. If you do, then it’s a learning experience.” 

I nodded as he went on, “You come out the other side,  the stronger one. It’s a test, like throwing fire onto steel—you find out what it’s made of. As long as you can recover from it, you’ll absolutely be back and better.“

That spirit he refers to is something he attempts to instill in his students, both off the pitch and on.

“Sport mirrors character,” he says with a firm tone. “If someone gives up at the sports level, many times that attitude is manifested somewhere else. That’s why I look forward to my students getting something more from their sports science and PE class than just knowledge.” Inspirations and hopes are filling his eyes: “What’s most valuable is the attitude: health and fitness are universal.”

Despite obviously being talented, Mr. Smith admits that he wasn’t good enough to go pro. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I was maybe 22,” he says. “But I loved sport, and I loved teaching PE. That enjoyment stayed with me.” Fun as an experiential foundation for learning is something he mentions frequently. “I try to be an example—to students, first and foremost–not because I just happen to be technically brilliant, but because I love playing. I’d like my students, and all students and athletes in YK Pao, to understand that sport is something that you could love the rest of your life, instead of something that’s only for competition.”

Mr. Smith has experience in both the UK and China, which provides him with an unusual understanding of how sports are organized across different school systems. “In the UK, sport is highly integrated. School teams and amateur clubs have clear connections. Children play at night, at car parks, anywhere that there’s space,” he explains. “It’s different here. School sports are less organized. I hardly ever see children playing outdoors at night. There’s more protection, more safety—but at times at the expense of playing.”

Mr. Smith as the DJ for an event at the Bund

So, what would he change if given the chance to redesign school life? He doesn’t hesitate. “We need more time for sport—two hours a week is not enough. I’d introduce more structured recreational PE, plus varsity programs for those who want to compete at a higher level. We should have 4 to 6 sessions a week.” He draws on examples from schools in Abu Dhabi where sports are central to school identity. “They’ve got 26 teams, five international competitions, three local tournaments—it was truly amazing.”

Mr. Smith also believes in the power of inspiration: “We need more guest speakers—athletes, coaches, even sports scientists—people who can share their stories and make students think, ‘I want to be like that.’” 

He’s a strong advocate for school trips, tours, and even developing new leagues. “Friendly competitions matter too. It’s not always about winning. It’s about being part of something.” Beyond that, he’s keen on bettering the sports environment here in high school. He’s thought about infrastructure too: “Imagine if schools could hire university campuses or better sports facilities. That’s how we make sport a serious part of education—not just an afterthought.”

What stands out most in speaking with Mr. Smith is how deeply he believes in the role of sport, not just in physical development, but in shaping who we are. “I’m not trying to make everyone a professional athlete, you see, because how many students leave YK Pao and enter college with the aspiration of being a top athlete? I guess one or two, at maximum,” he says. “Becoming an athlete is just not the goal of any parents who send you here; we must put more focus on the academic side.” 

But then the hope in his eyes relit, “If I could, I do want every student to understand that they need sports... That sport really matters. And besides all those physical benefits, know that sports teach you about who you are and how you should live.”

As a passionate sports advocate, Mr. Smith has always stood firmly behind his beliefs and exemplifies the undeniable impact that individual determination can have in achieving educational excellence through captivating class settings.

“Two years ago, I embarked on this ambitious journey of over four thousand miles with a clear purpose and confidence: to drive significant reforms in Physical Education and Sports Science here at YK Pao. I’m doing it.”

“I know how long changes will need to take, and I’m here for it, for the better things to come true.”