THIS IS NOT a typical graduation ceremony. These are Hong Kong's first graduates from Coach University and their diplomas read 'life coach'.
Just before he hands out diplomas, the 'college principal', wearing a tie pin which states 'I Coach, U Win', is wrapping up his turgid speech. 'Coaching is like teaching a caterpillar how to fly. What I call 'the pull to freedom'. I think of you as butterflies. Your process of change has been both visible and beautiful.'
Captain Dreamweaver is Terry Phillips, holder of the Coach U licence for Asia. Coach U is a virtual university on the Internet, and he's now brought the brand to Hong Kong. A robust man with immaculately blow-dried grey hair, Phillips has the smooth, persuasive air of a television evangelist when he takes the dais to deliver his commencement address.
Suddenly, Phillips loses his composure and is wiping tears from his eyes. 'He's an emotional guy,' newly minted coach, Christine Fillilove, leans over and whispers. One by one, while family members videotape the proceedings, the graduates step up to the front of the small room. Many of them are in tears as Phillips hands them all a diploma and a small butterfly sticker with a hug.
Phillips is muttering now. 'They're silly little stickers. I'm embarrassed to put them on your diploma. It doesn't look very professional, so you put them where you want.'
The atmosphere in the dark, wood-panelled room of the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley feels more like an over-friendly church social than a university graduation. Maybe it's because, as the flurried exchange of business cards indicates, these graduates are frantically searching for their first job in a relatively new field.
Coaches aren't just for athletes any more. Playing the combined role of shrink, best friend, motivational speaker and nagging mum, these life coaches are poised to help us get our lives in order.