Finding Strength and Confidence Through Sports
At Dhammajarinee Witthaya School, Kamepp Judung, Head of Sports, has seen students arrive at their first practices afraid of making mistakes and unsure of what they can do. Then, through regular training and encouragement from their teammates, they begin to change.
“The most memorable moments are seeing the development of the girls’ teams,” Kamepp says. “Some students are initially too nervous even to hold the ball or run toward an opponent. But after continuous practice and support from the team, they are able to compete, give everything they have, and feel proud of themselves. Seeing their happiness after a game makes all the tiredness of being a teacher disappear.”
“What inspired me was DWS’s view that education is not limited to the classroom,” he says. “The school recognizes the value of developing the whole child, especially by giving girls the space to fully express their potential through sports.”
Kamepp helps lead a variety of sports at DWS. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, has provincial-level experience in soccer and futsal—a fast-paced, five-a-side form of soccer—and has completed futsal and basketball referee training through the Sports Authority of Thailand. Since joining DWS in 2023, he has taken student teams to provincial and regional competitions, where they have achieved championship and runner-up results.
Sports are embedded in the curriculum and daily routine at DWS. Every student takes part in daily physical education. Students from Grade 2 upward also participate in a daily sports period, and approximately 150 students choose additional evening and weekend training, with up to 16.5 more hours each week. In contrast, Thai schools typically schedule only about 40 minutes of PE per week.
But sports, Kamepp explains, “is not only about physical ability. It is a training ground for life. The girls learn confidence, communication, teamwork, planning, discipline, patience, and time management. They learn how to be good leaders and good team members. Most importantly, they learn how to win, how to lose, and how to stand up again after failure.”
Kamepp expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who makes these opportunities possible: “Thank you to every supporter,” he says. “Your support does more than provide equipment or facilities. It is an investment in the futures of these girls. You are giving them the opportunity to discover their potential, build confidence, and develop life skills that will remain with them throughout their lives.”
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