A squad of student players from Jinhua defeated Wenzhou 6-5 in a penalty shootout to win the inaugural Zhejiang Wuyue Cup urban football league final at the Huanglong Sports Center in the summer of 2026. cn.chinadaily.com.cn reported that 17 players in the 60-member squad study or graduated from Jinhua Tangxi High School. The team averaged 21.5 years old, making it the youngest side in the tournament.
Following the regional victory, the Tangxi High School boys’ team represented Zhejiang in the national youth campus football four-tier league and finished sixth overall, marking the highest finish in school history for a Zhejiang high school boys’ squad in the competition. The performance built on a systemic push toward youth sports integration that began when Jinhua was selected as a national pilot area for youth football talent training reform in May 2025.
Bayern Youth Cup Global Triumph Follows Domestic Development
Jinhua’s youth success extended to international competition on October 19, 2026, when a 10-player delegation selected from national high school leagues won the Bayern Youth Cup global final in Munich. The Chinese team defeated Germany in the semifinals and Zimbabwe in the final via penalty shootouts, marking the first time a Chinese squad won the tournament in its 14-year history since launching in 2012. Two Tangxi High School students, Wu Jiayi and Zhou Ruijie, played key roles in the roster.
City education and sports administrators trace these international and regional achievements to a coordinated municipal framework. Jinhua Education Bureau Director Li Wei stated that campus football serves as a foundational pillar for comprehensive student development and sports nation-building. The city established a joint working group between education and sports departments, backed by an initial annual special fund of 10 million yuan dedicated to team training, tournament hosting, and coach development.
The municipal framework relies on a four-tier league system running from class and school to county and city levels, operating continuously since 2004. According to Jinhua Education Bureau Deputy Director Qian Shengjun, the city operates 185 national-level and 243 provincial-level campus football characteristic schools. To bridge the traditional gap between junior and senior high school sports, the city designated 24 provincial base schools—including 8 high schools and 16 junior highs—that recruit more than 260 football specialty students annually.
After over two months, spanning 11 cities across #Zhejiang with 61 exciting matches, the Wuyue Cup has finally drawn to a close ⚽🏆.Team #Jinhua claimed a 6-5 victory in the penalty shootout to win the championship! Congratulations to Team Jinhua from #Zhoushan! Well-deserved… pic.twitter.com/ikUNNmDGZw
Academic and Athletic Integration Shapes Player Pathways
Local schools have adapted academic schedules to retain student-athletes who otherwise might drop out due to academic pressures at age 12. Jinhua Eighth High School implements a dual-track management system for its women's football team, combining regular classes with afternoon training blocks and specialized scheduling during final university entrance exam preparations.
Tangxi High School operates a similar model, establishing a dedicated sports class in the second year of senior high with a sports instructor serving as homeroom teacher. Tangxi Party Secretary Chen Jianched described the sports pathway as an additional door opening toward higher education and professional sport.
At the elite level, the Jinhua Sports Department runs male and female elite youth teams across three age brackets. These programs have supplied more than 20 players to the Zhejiang Greentown club, placed 17 in the provincial team, and sent seven players to national squads, including U23 men’s national team player Bao Shengxin, U20 women’s national player Li Tingyingge, and former youth national team captain Lin Jin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jinhua’s Football Program
How are high school football special-admissions students selected in Jinhua?
The Jinhua Municipal Education Examination Authority organizes unified skill tests for high school football applicants, separating outfield players from goalkeepers. Admissions are determined by a formula weighted at 70% for practical skill scores and 30% for high school entrance examination academic scores, utilizing cross-region rotated referees to ensure fairness.
What financial and coaching resources support the city’s school teams?
The municipal government established a dedicated football fund starting at 10 million yuan annually to cover elite training camps, tournament operations, and coaching staff. The city also employs more than 100 external professional coaches, including four foreign instructors, and runs cross-school rotation programs.
Which national teams feature players developed through Jinhua’s school system?
Players developed in the city’s youth system include Bao Shengxin of the U23 men’s national team, Li Tingyingge of the U20 women’s national team, and former youth national team captain Lin Jin, alongside more than 20 players sent to the Zhejiang Greentown club.
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