From Fanling to Kilmarnock: the remarkably resilient journey of Hong Kong women’s footballer Vicky Chung
Vicky Chung Pui-ki deals with series of culture shocks on debut for Scottish women’s team Kilmarnock last season
The 21-year-old Hong Kong team member wants to bring some structure to local women’s football
Published: 10:21am, 4 Jan, 2020
Updated: 11:14pm, 4 Jan, 2020
Thick accents, intense physicality and torrential rain. These are just some of the differences Hong Kong women's footballer Vicky Chung Pui-ki was forced to adjust to after moving to the west of Scotland in September. The 21-year-old Chung joined F.C. Kilmarnock Ladies to catch the end of their fourth-place finish in the Scottish Women's Premier League's second division last season, but the Fanling native’s debut left her crying at half-time. “The first game was both exciting and tough to get through because I cried,” said the former Kitchee midfielder. “My English wasn’t that good and I had trouble understanding my teammate’ communication. Their on-field culture is very intense, very aggressive and includes swearing – they are very competitive. “I was a bit intimidated so at the half-time break I cried in the changing room. Also I didn't really anticipate the physicality would be so strong so I was a bit nervous to go into challenges. I became much more used to it in the end.”
Chung – a Hong Kong national team regular – is eligible to play in the UK under a working holiday visa. She does not receive a player wage and makes ends meet by waiting at a local Chinese restaurant. Fortunately, she is not the only Hong Kong player in the squad. Veteran Chun Ching-hang – more familiarly known as 'Ching' – joined the East Ayrshire outfit after a trailblazing spell at Swansea City Ladies in Wales earlier in the year. Hong Kong’s first women’s player to sign for a British team has been somewhat of a role model for young Chung.
Chun Ching-hang is the first Hong Kong women’s footballer to play for a British team.
“We’re good friends. I live with Ching in the city centre and she’s helped me a lot,” Chung said, adding that she hopes the pair can continue playing for Kilmarnock until their visas run out.
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“When I first started playing for this team, it was tough to get used to because my English wasn’t that good and Scottish accents were difficult to grasp – Ching would sometimes help me translate. My coaches and teammates also understood I struggled at times and would intentionally speak slower or clearer for me.
Former Kitchee player Chung dribbles the ball past an opponent in a Hong Kong women’s league match. Photo: Handout
Former Kitchee player Chung dribbles the ball past an opponent in a Hong Kong women’s league match. Photo: Handout
羅曉聰2020-01-05 00:46:59
“They speak so fast – sometimes it confuses me. But everyone in the team treats me well. I’m also close to our Scottish-American goalkeeper, who speaks with a bit less of an accent.” Aside from sharpening up on aural comprehension, Chung required extra sessions in the gym to acclimatise to Scottish football’s elevated level of speed and physicality. “If I wasn’t going to the gym after training, it would be hard to keep up with their physical threat. Next season will be better as we’ll get more training sessions per week,” said Chung, who had her first taste of European football at a Bayern Munich-run youth football development scheme in Germany in 2014.
“I’ve learned a lot of things at Kilmarnock. Getting used to the physical side, the weather, the speed of the game, their style of communication, their one-touch football ... Everyone in the league is also at a good level – the difference between them is small and you have to be ready because while a team may be below us in the league, their ability and mindset is still strong.” Chung went on to describe the promising technical improvements and player overhauls seen in the Scottish second division’s roster. While very encouraging for her own fledgling playing career, the 2018 Asian Games quarter-finalist has a long-term vision for women’s football back home.