A dedicated teacher fostering sports development in Quang Tri’s schools

For the last two decades, Nguyen Viet Luc, a Physical Education teacher at Cua Tung Secondary School in Vinh Linh District, has consistently dedicated substantial efforts towards fostering and enhancing physical education and sports within the school.

Furthermore, he also excels in coaching student sports teams and mentoring both educators and staff, resulting in numerous notable achievements in competitive sports.

In 2022, Teacher Nguyen Viet Luc, serving as the head coach of the women's volleyball team under the Quang Tri Department of Education and Training, secured the top position in the Education Volleyball Award within Emulation Cluster No. 6. Photo: D.C

Strong passion for sports

Since 1998, Nguyen Viet Luc has been consistently praised and held in high regard by many coaches and physical education teachers in the province.

In that same year, during the provincial-level Phu Dong Sports Festival, Luc, who was in grade 12 at the time, set a school-age record in athletics with an impressive long jump of 6.28 meters. This remarkable achievement earned him a Gold Medal for Cua Tung High School’s athletics team.

"I was fortunate to inherit athletic talent from my family, excelling in sports such as soccer, volleyball, and athletics since childhood. In middle school, I began competing in various school and local tournaments. The early successes in my life, coupled with the support and encouragement from my family and teachers, motivated me to further hone my abilities and continue pursuing my passion for sports," Luc said as he recalled his journey.

In 1998, Luc successfully passed the athletics exam at Da Nang University of Sports and Sports. His exceptional physical strength, innate talent, and enduring passion made him a prominent figure who actively participated in school and class sports events.

In November 2001, he was appointed to work at Vinh Nam Secondary School in Vinh Linh District, and since 2005, he has been at Cua Tung Secondary School, where he remains to this day.

For many years, Luc has been directly involved in instructing, training, and motivating numerous students in physical education. He employs a hands-on teaching approach combined with direct guidance during classes, meticulously molding every small movement to help students easily grasp techniques for both classroom tests and future self-improvement.

Many of his students have attested that in real life, Luc is an amiable and sociable person but maintains strictness in his teaching and training.

Some initially physically weaker students would feel somewhat intimidated attending his physical education class. However, it is this very rigor that motivated these students to practice diligently and strive harder with each movement.

With an unwavering sense of responsibility and a dynamic and creative approach to his work, Luc consistently excels in his professional duties. He has been honored with the title of “Grassroots-level Emulation Fighter” for many years and has received numerous certificates of merit and commendations from various levels of authority.

The Table Tennis Club at Cua Tung Secondary School stands out as a formidable team in the school sports scene, competing at various levels. Photo: D.C

Outstanding contribution to school sports

Beyond his core teaching responsibilities, Luc is deeply committed to nurturing and expanding the school's physical education program. School leaders have entrusted him with the task of training multiple student sports teams, resulting in commendable achievements at school sports festivals, sports tournaments, and Phu Dong Sports Festival events at various levels. Thanks to his dedication, Cua Tung Secondary School's sports teams consistently rank at the pinnacle of school sports movements at all levels, exemplified by their remarkable victory of gold medal in the girls' volleyball category at the 6^th Phu Dong Sports Festival in Quang Tri Province in 2021.

At Cua Tung Secondary School, Luc collaborated with the school to establish the Cua Tung Secondary School Table Tennis Club, consisting of 20 students and 10 teachers. The aim was to provide a recreational outlet for officials, teachers, trade union members, and students within the school, allowing them to engage in physical activity and friendly competition outside of their demanding work and study hours.

Serving as the club’s president, Luc takes on the responsibility of regularly organizing friendly matches, planning club activities, and offering enthusiastic guidance and technical training to its members. As of now, the Cua Tung Secondary School Table Tennis Club stands out as one of the most competitive teams in the school sports scene at all levels.

Recognized as a familiar face in the coaching ranks of various school sports tournaments, especially in volleyball, Luc earned the trust of the Quang Tri Department of Education and Training. He was appointed as the head coach of the Women’s Volleyball team representing the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri at the Education Volleyball Tournament within Emulation Cluster No. 6.

Reflecting on the task, he shared, "Despite my extensive experience in teaching and coaching school sports teams, I still felt some pressure when I accepted this role. This was a significant tournament featuring over 120 male and female athletes from 10 teams representing the education sector of the North Central provinces, ranging from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue. Leading the team to compete at home against formidable opponents, I was filled with concerns and pondered strategies."

Teacher Luc, donning shirt number 10, enthusiastically engages in numerous sports tournaments organized by the provincial education and training sector. Photo: D.C

He went on to describe how he closely monitored the athletes, providing technical guidance and instilling a strong sense of enthusiasm and sportsmanship during each match. Through teamwork and unwavering determination, the Women’s Volleyball team of the Quang Tri Department of Education and Training emerged victorious, claiming the top prize.

On a local level, Luc plays an advisory role for local government, agencies, and unions in the development of volleyball and football teams, facilitating their participation in competitions and achieving notable successes. Notable highlights include coaching the Cua Tung Town football team, which secured first place at the Vinh Linh District Sports Congress in 2018.

He also coached the U12 football team in Cua Tung Town, leading them to victory in the U12 Boys' Football Tournament in Vinh Linh District in 2022.

Furthermore, he also coached the Cua Tung Town volleyball team to victory in the men’s volleyball tournament commemorating the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2 in Vinh Linh District in August 2023.

Despite a hectic schedule, Luc consistently finds time to engage in sports, prioritizing his own well-being and setting a positive example for his students. He actively participates in volleyball clubs, the Teacher Cua Tung soccer club, and the Vinh Linh U40 Veteran soccer club. He is always willing to share his knowledge and provide technical guidance, and strategic insights to those seeking to learn. Additionally, he frequently partakes in friendly matches to raise funds for underprivileged children and participates in volunteer and charity activities for the community.

"For me, sports are both a passion and a profession. Moreover, after two decades of working with many generations of students, my enduring goal is to keep the flame of my profession alive, passing on enthusiasm and passion while helping them improve their health. This is aimed at fostering a younger generation that is physically healthy and mentally vibrant," Luc said.

Ngoc Mai - Hoai Diem Chi