The International School of Beijing (ISB) has become the first location in China to install a skills.lab system. Since May 2026, the skills.lab Cube has been used for football training and interactive activities, giving students and the wider school community new opportunities to engage with the sport.

Established in 1980, ISB is one of the longest-established international schools in China, with a strong reputation and an extensive global alumni community. The school is known for its rich and diverse student programs and its forward-looking approach to sports and technology, using innovative training tools and experiences to enrich student life, support athletic development, and help students prepare for future academic opportunities.

The project was also developed in collaboration with ISB official school partner ClubFootball, a pioneer in grassroots football in China and the first organization to introduce British and European football training methodologies to the country. For the past 25 years, ClubFootball has delivered authentic football programs across schools in Beijing.

Expanding Football Training and Activities at ISB

ClubFootball was the first to integrate the skills.lab Cube into its after-school football program, also introducing the system to teams participating in the Beijing International Junior Football League (BIJFL).

Through short, repeatable exercises and immediate performance feedback, the Cube allows players to work on specific technical skills. Coaches can use the recorded data to identify areas for improvement and adapt exercises to individual training needs.

Rowan Simons, Founder and Chairman of ClubFootball, sees particular value in the possibilities this creates for coaches and players.

The Cube has also found its way into activities beyond regular football training. At the ISB Spring Fair, students, parents, and teachers had the opportunity to try the system through interactive challenges.

Different Applications Within One School

During the current school year, ISB is using the Cube for school team assessments, with plans to further integrate it into regular team training, individual player development, campus competitions, and PE sessions.

The Cube’s short challenges are derived from professional football training and real-game scenarios, combining professional training methodology with a highly gamified experience. This makes the system both purposeful and engaging, allowing students to train and play independently and proactively, regardless of their age or skill level.

Simon Parker, Director of Student Activities at ISB, shares how students have responded and what the school has planned next:

For Johannes Tändl, CEO of skills.lab, the installation in Beijing demonstrates the potential of the Cube in an educational environment: