Understanding "understanding": Seed the Stars and YONEX Host Inaugural Badminton Session for Children with Autism in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, September 24, 2026 — Seed the Stars, a student-led non-profit foundation, hosted its inaugural badminton session for children with autism on September 24 at the 财大虹口科技园体育馆 (Caida Hongkou Science & Technology Park Gymnasium) in Hongkou District, Shanghai. Held on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival from 16:30 to 17:45, the event brought together 12 children, 15 volunteers, and a team of professional coaches for an afternoon of sport, skill, and community connection.

Under the guidance of professional coaches and with the steady, patient support of volunteers placed alongside each participant — many of them university students from local institutions, including Fudan University — the children were introduced to the fundamentals of badminton, learning to hold the racket, swing through the shuttle, and feel the thrill of a successful strike. For many, it was their first time on a badminton court, and the afternoon was marked by small victories: a shuttle sent cleanly across the net, a high-five after a near-miss, and the quiet confidence that grew with every attempt. The atmosphere was one of encouragement rather than competition, with volunteers cheering each effort as though it were a championship point.

The program also included a practical workshop in overgrip wrapping, during which the children and volunteers gathered in a circle to learn how to apply overgrips to racket handles — a genuine skill used by players and stringers in the sport. Seated side by side, they worked through the technique together, sharing the tangles and the triumphs, while building fine motor skills, focus, and a tangible sense of accomplishment. It was a reminder that inclusion can take many forms: not only on the court, but in the shared rhythm of a simple, hands-on task.

The event was jointly organized with 彩虹笔 (CaiHongBi), a government-recognized public welfare organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and developmental differences. CaiHongBi's professional guidance and collaborative partnership were instrumental in shaping the program, and its teachers' presence throughout the afternoon ensured that every child was supported with expertise and care. Volunteers and coaching staff arrived well before the session began to prepare the venue, organize equipment, and rehearse the agenda, guaranteeing a safe, welcoming environment for every family in attendance.

Seed the Stars extends its deepest gratitude to both partners. To CaiHongBi, for its unwavering commitment to the children and its essential role in making the day possible; and to YONEX, whose generous sponsorship of badminton rackets, shuttlecocks, and overgrips provided the foundation for the entire afternoon. From the first serve to the final high-five, every piece of equipment on the court was a gift from YONEX — a gesture of support that reflects a shared belief in the power of sport to open doors and change lives.

More than a single afternoon of sport, the event was a celebration of what happens when a community comes together. University students, professional coaches, special-education teachers, corporate partners, parents, and children all shared the same court, the same laughter, and the same sense of joy. Every racket passed, every hand guided, and every smile exchanged was a simple act of kindness, yet together they showed that the warmth of Shanghai lies not in its skyscrapers, but in the patience and care its people offer one another. In these small, human moments, everyone left with something: the children gained confidence, new skills, and friendships; and the volunteers and partners gained a deeper appreciation of the bright, capable children at the heart of it all.

In conclusion, as the President of Seed the Stars, the event organizer, and most importanly, a highschool student, I would like to reflect on this experience. Through planning to executing this event, I realized that the word “understanding” is more complicated than the dictionary meaning of it. I remember seeing all the volunteers, teachers, coaches, and brand representatives walking in an hour and half early that day to settle on details. There was a key moment which I remember being the most impactful. Originally our event included a 15 minute session for children to play on courts by themselves or with their volunteers. However, I was humbled when the representative of CaiHongBi explained to us that neurodivergent children cannot handle the pressure that comes from free activity time. It was that moment when it hit me that “understanding” cannot purely and solely come from textbooks or facts. Rather, it is through experiences and the circumstances that needs to be discovered before claiming that you “understand” them. Thus, I believe that Seed the Stars is not just an NGO or platform where shared experiences with neurodivergent children are articulated, it is also not an NGO that solely spreads the awareness of Autism. Rather, it is an NGO where volunteers, event planners, and a President like me learn more than service. We discover deeper meanings to “understanding” and truly feel the power of an act of kindness.