Editor's Choice

Martina Is Sportsgirl Of The Year

2015 Singapore Sports Award

Jansen Yeo

Senior Executive, Strategic Communications

Student-athlete Martina Lindsay P Veloso will look back at 2014 fondly. Her competition schedule took her all over the world where she competed and held her own against some of the world’s best shooters.

The world took notice when Martina, then 14, beat the likes of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gold medallist Katrina Emmons to win the Women's 10m Air Rifle gold medal at the ISSF World Cup Munich, Germany, on 8 June 2014. She was the competition’s youngest ever gold medallist, and the only Singaporean to win the title.

At the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Martina missed the gold medal in the Women's 10m Air Rifle by 0.6 points, finishing behind Switzerland’s Sarah Hornung, who shot a 207.8 to Martina’s 207.2.

Martina made her debut for Team Singapore at a major Games – the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – where she finished 5th in the Women's 10m Air Rifle event. She was also part of the Team Singapore shooting contingent that competed at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games.

Martina’s standout performances saw her named Sportsgirl of the Year at the 2015 Singapore Sports Award on 5 August 2015.

“Winning this Award during Singapore’s Golden Jubilee is something special. I'm thankful to my coach, Miss Lim Chea Rong, for her guidance all these years and not forgetting all the Sports School staff who have helped me to get to where I am today. Being the Sportsgirl of the Year will motivate me to push myself even more during training and competitions.

“Overall, 2014 was a great shooting season for me. Competing in so many major games in one year was memorable. I really had a great time and hopefully, I will be able to repeat my performances again,” said Martina.

This was Martina’s second nomination and first award in the Sportsgirl of the Year category.

Team Effort Scores Team Award

2015 Singapore Sports Award

Pictures courtesy of MCCY.

Team of the Year (Event) winners, from left, New Hui Fen, Shayna Ng, Cherie Tan, Daphne Tan Shi Jing, Joey Yeo and Jazreel Tan Shi Hua.

Singapore Sports School alumni Jazreel Tan Shi Hua, New Hui Fen and Daphne Tan Shi Jing, together with teammates Cherie Tan, Shayna Ng and Joey Yeo, were

presented the Team of the Year (Event) award at the 2015 Singapore Sports Award. The team had beaten bowling powerhouses South Korea and Malaysia to win the Women’s Team of 5 gold medal at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games.

“It means a lot to us because we had previously been nominated for this award twice but didn’t win. So to finally get it was a great feeling. This award is an encouragement and a reminder to us that we have to start training even harder now to try and put ourselves back into the position to be nominated again, and hopefully, to win the award again. It is also a recognition, not just of our hard work, but also to all who have been constantly supporting us and putting their faith in us,” said Jazreel.

Singapore Sports School Award Winners

Sportsgirl of the Year

Martina Lindsay P Veloso (Shooting)

Team of the Year (Event)

Jazreel Tan Shi Hua, New Hui Fen and Daphne Tan Shi Jing (National Bowling Women's Team of 5 – Incheon 2014 Asian Games)

Team of the Year (Team Sport)

Kimberly Lim Wei Yan and Nur Aqilah Afiqah Andin Agustino Saman (National Netball Team – 2014 Mission Foods Asian Netball Championships)

Meritorious Award – Senior (Event)

Liang Xiao Yu and Terry Hee Yong Kai (National Badminton Mixed Team – Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games)

Jazreel Tan and New Hui Fen (National Bowling Women’s Trios – Incheon 2014 Asian Games)

Andrew Paul Chan Li Jian (National Sailing J80 Open Match Racing Team – Incheon 2014 Asian Games)

Cecilia Low Rui Qi (National Sailing 29er Women’s Team – Incheon 2014 Asian Games)

Nigel Lim Swee Hon (Staff) (National Shooting 25m Standard Pistol Men's Team – Incheon 2014 Asian Games)

Pang Sheng Jun (National Swimming 4x200m Freestyle Relay Men's Team – Incheon 2014 Asian Games)

Clarence Chew Zhe Yu (National Table Tennis Men’s Team – Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games)

Isabelle Li Siyun (National Table Tennis Women’s Team – Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games)

Isabelle Li Siyun and Yee Herng Hwee (National Table Tennis Women’s Team – ZEN-NOH World Table Tennis Championships)

Meritorious Award – Sportsboy (Individual)

Muhammad Nur Alfian Juma'en (Pencak Silat)

Bryce Chong Sheng Cher (Triathlon)

Meritorious Award – Sportsgirl (Individual)

Nicole Mae Wong Hui Shan (Fencing)

Muhammad Nur Alfian Juma'en, recipient of the Meritorious Award – Sportsboy (Individual).

Nicole Mae Wong Hui Shan, recipient of the Meritorious Award – Sportsgirl (Individual).

From left, Jazreel Tan Shi Hua, Cherie Tan and New Hui Fen (right), recipients of the

Meritorious Award – Senior (Event).

Feature

Time In A Bottle

Youth Celebrate! SG50 Time Capsule

Mohamed Zulkhairi Putera Mohamed Zali Track and Field Academy

Even now, I cannot decide which was the most exciting – placing a football into the SG50 Time Capsule, being part of the Singapore Sports Hub opening ceremony or meeting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 26 July 2015.

I was chosen to place a football, given out at the 2013 Canon Lion City Cup and signed by the players of Saturday Night Lights, into the SG50 Time Capsule. This was part of the Sports Hub opening ceremony programme held in conjunction with Youth Celebrate!, this year’s Youth Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Education. So, I was doing this in front of about 55,000 people. I had never seen so many people in one place before, and I was so nervous that I just couldn’t stand still. I kept moving like I was about to start a race.

During the first rehearsal, I found out that I would be standing next to the Prime Minister. I was excited and anxious at the same time. He will surely speak with me. I didn’t want to embarrass myself, so I thought up some questions he might ask me and prepared my answers. In the end, there wasn’t much time to chit chat. PM Lee asked me how’s school life and I only had time to reply, “Great.”

I had been a member of Saturday Night Lights for about a year and played at Singapore Sports School which hosted the football programme organised by SportCares Foundation. It was playing football at the Sports School when I fell in love with everything about the school and wished to study here. Besides playing football, I was also a member of SportCares’ CareRunners group. My coach was Mr G Elangovan. After training under him for a few months, I clocked a good time and won a prize. Then, I was given the chance to train with the Sports School’s Track and Field Academy and when I proved myself, I was offered a place to study at the Sports School.

I was representing the community at the new National Stadium at the Sports Hub when I placed the football into the Time Capsule. I also have a personal item going into the Time Capsule – the “C” Division 800m gold medal that I won at the National Schools Track and Field Championships this year; there is also a framed photograph and a short write up of me so that I will be remembered as the owner of the medal when the Time Capsule is opened in 25 years’ time.

When I was asked to donate my gold medal, my heart dropped. It is so dear to me. It represents a break-through, a chance at the Sports School and what I can achieve here if I continue to work hard. After I won the 800m race, I showed my medal to my grandmother. She was so proud of me. She told me to continue to work hard and I promised her that I would. She passed away recently and I dedicated my medal to her. So, I was reluctant to have it kept away for 25 years. But in the end, I agreed, because I will always have memories of my race and how I felt as I crossed the finishing line, and I’m sure my grandmother would have wanted me to donate it to the Time Capsule.

I also found out that a few of my seniors at the Sports School were also asked to donate some personal items and I felt happy and proud to be in the company of champions: Shanti Pereira, Nur Alfian and Martina Veloso – all gold medallists at the Singapore 2015 Southeast Asian Games. Shanti and Nur Alfian were present at the National Stadium to place their items at the Time Capsule, too. I’m so proud to belong to Singapore Sports School.

10 Dreams Among 50 Memories

SG50 Time Capsule

Singapore Sports School has contributed two items to the SG50 Time Capsule. One is a book called, “10 Dreams”, which contains the aspirations of 10 student-athletes from 10 sports academies – Badminton, Bowling, Fencing, Football, Golf, Netball, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Track and Field. The selected student-athletes represent a cross-section of the population of Singapore regardless of race, language or religion.

The second item is a poster featuring the 96 Team Singapore athletes from the Sports School who competed at the 28th Southeast Asian Games. Copies of this poster were presented to all the athletes in a send-off ceremony on 27 May 2015. Altogether, the 96 athletes contributed 32 gold, 19 silver and 19 bronze medals across 18 sports to Team Singapore’s tally of 84 gold, 73 and 102 medals in 36 sports.

There are 50 items in the Time Capsule. They reflect the aspiration of youth and sport in Singapore. Contributions from past and present student-athletes from the Sports School include:

• Veronica Shanti Pereira’s jersey and bib that she wore at the 28th Southeast Asian Games when she won the Women’s 200m gold medal, ending Singapore’s 42-year wait for a gold medal in athletics, and the pair of spikes she wore when she clocked 24.12s in the Heats at the 27th Sea Games in Myanmar and broke the Women’s 200m National Record. • Martina Lindsay P Veloso’s glove, shade and the signed target which she used when she won the 2014 ISSF World Cup Women’s 10m Air Rifle gold medal, becoming the first Singaporean to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal. • Muhammad Nur Alfian Juma’en’s autographed scarf and belt which he wore when he defeated the 2015 World Champion from Vietnam to clinch Singapore’s only gold medal in Pencak Silat at the 28th Sea Games, despite his foot injury sustained during the match. The emotion he showed on the prize podium is one of the most endearing images of the Sea Games. • Sasha Siew Hoon Christian’s waterski handle which was used at the 28th Sea Games. Sasha won 2 individual gold medals and 1 team silver medal. • Mohamed Zulkhairi Putera Mohamed Zali’s 2015 National Schools Track and Field Championships’ Boys “C” Division 800m gold medal.

Sports

40 Golden Performances In Land Of Smiles

2015 Thailand Sports School Games

Singapore Sports School student-athletes from the Football, Netball, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Track and Field academies competed at the 18th Thailand Sports School Games in Sisaket from 30 July to 8 August 2015 and altogether, won 40 gold, 28 silver and 25 bronze medals.

FOOTBALL

Seventeen Secondary 2s represented the Sports School. In the Group Stage, they played to 2 victories over Phitsanulok and Muensriwitayanuson and 1 defeat to Nakhonpathom. It was against Nakhonpathom in the quarter-finals that the Sports School faced a defeat and bowed out of the competition.

NETBALL

Eleven Secondary 1s played in the U14 and U16 categories. They were physically stretched as they had to play two matches in a day for two successive days. They won the U14 gold medal. Against their U16 competitors, they showed great team spirit and determination.

SHOOTING

Eight Secondary 1s and four Secondary 2s competed against 40 shooters from four sports schools from Thailand and won 4 golds, 2 silvers and 4 bronzes. About 20 per cent of our shooters achieved personal best performances, including Ryan Dayne Phang (Secondary 2C) who shot 606.2, Fernal Tan Qian Ni (Secondary 1D, 408), Nurul Syafiqa Nassaruddin (Secondary 1E, 406) in the 10m Air Rifle category, and Ross Lee Yu Bin (Secondary 1D, 534) and Hew Yun Ting (Secondary 1C, 365) in the 10m Air Pistol event. Most of our shooters followed their pre-shot routine, kept their focus and performed to expectation.

SWIMMING

Secondary 1’s Luke Tan Yu Yang was Sports School’s top performer, winning 3 gold medals in as many individual events and setting a new Meet Record in the U14 Boys 200m Butterfly. Secondary 4’s Dynes Quek Yi Chen also bagged 3 golds in his individual events. The Swimming Academy of 22 student-athletes contributed 27 gold medals to Sports School’s medal tally. Four new Meet Records were set – two by Secondary 1’s Ervina Lim Qianhui (U14 Girls 100m and 800m Freestyle) and one each by Luke and Secondary 2’s Sarah Chue Wen Xin (U14 Girls 50m Freestyle).

TABLE TENNIS

Bangkok Sports School is a powerhouse in table tennis especially in the Girls’ U18 category which has a national player who had just represented Thailand at the Singapore 2015 Southeast Asian Games in June. With the inclusion of two Indonesian Sports Schools, the level of competition is higher than previous year. Our girls, however, performed exceptionally well in the U16 Team final, exceeding coaches’ expectations. Altogether, the Sports School team won 1 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze medals.

TRACK AND FIELD

About 67 per cent of our 29 student-athletes achieved Personal Best performances with close to 80 per cent of them achieving top 8 results. This was possible as the standard of competition was high and our student-athletes were appropriately challenged. Altogether, the Sports School team retuned with 7 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals. Their performances at this competition is a good gauge of their potential as senior athletes. Alumni Calvin Kang Li Loong, Dipna Lim Prasad and Veronica Shanti Pereira are some who had done well at the Thailand Sports School Games and gone on to represent Singapore at the Sea Games; Calvin and Dipna are Olympians.

BADMINTON

Shuttlers Test Their Skills And Adaptability

Overseas Training Camp

Desmond Tan

General Manager, Badminton Academy

The Badminton Academy – 21 student-athletes and 4 staff – went on an academy trip to Penang, Malaysia, from 31 July to 5 August 2015. In those six days, we sparred with players from the Penang Badminton Association and LTT Badminton Club. This trip was fruitful because our players had the opportunity to match their skills against strong opposition. Over four days, each player played at least 10 matches which tested their fitness and endurance.

In addition, our players had to adapt quickly to the different playing conditions at different venues. In Penang, the badminton halls we played in were dimmer-lit than those we are used to in Singapore. Our shuttlers also had to get used to the noise caused by the impact of rainwater hitting the roof of the hall. Because of that, they were unable to “hear” the impact when their opponents hit the shuttle, thus affecting their reading of the shots. During Doubles matches, the players also faced difficulty in communicating with their partners.

Penang is one of the strongest badminton states in Malaysia, having produced the likes of national shuttlers such as Lee Chong Wei. The timing of our friendly matches with PBA was perfect because the Penang state players were preparing for the Malaysia Grand Prix Finals National Age-Group Championships which is a major competition for them. They took the friendly matches very seriously and they pushed our players to their limits.

Our shuttlers also got to see Malaysian national player Goh Jin Wei train with the Penang state team. Our own national youth player, Lim Ming Hui, also had the opportunity to spar with Jin Wei, the Woman’s Singles bronze medallist at the Singapore 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

The Badminton Academy also had a series of friendly matches with the LTT Badminton Club which has the highest number of players in the state team.

A highlight of our trip was our morning jog up Penang Hill. After covering almost 5km to go up the Hill, we were treated to a splendid view of Penang; that itself was worth the effort.

GOLF

Gregory Finishes 4th Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open 2015

Shaun Chew

General Manager, Golf Academy

Singapore Sports School alumnus Gregory Raymund Foo Yongen was the best Singaporean golfer at the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open 2015 with his 4th place finish out of 77 golfers in the Men’s Open Division. Gregory found himself down in 12th position after a poor first round of 2-over 74. He moved one spot up to 11th after shooting an even-par 72 in Round 2. Gregory saved his best for last with a solid 4-under 68 in the final round to push himself into 4th place for a three-day total of 2-under 214.

National teammate and Sports School alumnus Abdul Hadi Uda Thith was 8th with his score of 3-over 219, while alumnus Joshua Shou Minqing was 31st with a 15-over 231.

Sports School student-athletes Nicholas Mok Chee Yong, Nicole Mok Shue Ying, Sabrina Chau Shu Ning and Tommy Tan Xuan Hao also competed in the tournament held at the Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia from 4 to 6 August 2015.

Tommy and Nicholas narrowly missed the cut by 1 and 2 strokes respectively after two rounds of competition. Tommy finished 40th and Nicholas, 41st.

Competing against 30 other golfers in the Women’s Open Division, Nicole and Sabrina failed to make the cut after Round 1 and finished 27th and 29th.

SHOOTING

Shooters Hit 5 Golds

Singapore Youth Olympic Festival 2015

Koh Aik Beng

Assistant Head, Cluster (Sports)

General Manager, Shooting Academy

Fion Pan Cai Feng (second from left) and Sheryl Lieo Wei Xuan (left) with a 1-2 finish in the

Women's Youth 17 10m Air Pistol.

Our shooters competed at the Singapore Youth Olympic Festival 2015 shooting competition at SAFRA Yishun from 1 to 2 August 2015 and they came out tops in five categories.

National Youth Team shooter Ho Xiu Yi won the Women’s Youth 15 10m Air Rifle gold medal. Teammates Mohamad Irwan Abdul Rahman and Fion Pan Cai Feng finished first in Men’s Youth 17 10m Air Rifle and Women’s Youth 17 10m Air Pistol events.

Our junior shooters also put in impressive performances. Secondary 1 student-athletes Cecilia Ng and Rachel Chua Xin Ying notched up maiden wins in the Women’s Youth 13 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Pistol events.

“We are into the off-season of our shooting calendar so this competition is good for the shooters to maintain their competitiveness. The performance of our Secondary 1 shooters is also encouraging. I am confident they can build on this and continue to improve,” said Coach Nigel Lim.

Shooting is one of nine sports competed at this year’s Singapore Youth Olympic Festival. The SYOF is a legacy of the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games and it is into its 4th edition this year.

Results

Men’s Youth 15 10m Air Pistol Terrence Ng Shu Hao – 3rd

Men’s Youth 17 10m Air Pistol Ricky Lim Yun – 3rd

Women’s Youth 13 10m Air Pistol Rachel Chua Xin Ying – 1st

Women’s Youth 15 10m Air Pistol Natalie Julia Chua – 2nd

Stacy Ho Ting Ting – 3rd

Women’s Youth 17 10m Air Pistol Fion Pan Cai Feng – 1st

Sheryl Lieo Wei Xuan – 2nd

Men’s Youth 15 10m Air Rifle

Zack Lim Yu Heng – 2nd

Jesse Chow Sai Kit – 3rd

Men’s Youth 17 10m Air Rifle

Mohamad Irwan Abdul Rahman – 1st

Ong Yong Qing – 3rd

Women’s Youth 13 10m Air Rifle

Cecilia Ng – 1st

Women’s Youth 15 10m Air Rifle

Ho Xiu Yi – 1st

Women’s Youth 17 10m Air Rifle

Catherine Shi – 2nd

Adele Tan Qian Xiu – 3rd

Mohamad Irwan Abdul Rahman (second from right) and

Ong Yong Qing (right) won the Men's Youth 17 10m Air Rifle

gold and bronze medal respectively.

Men's Youth 17 10m Air Pistol bronze medallist Ricky Lim Yun (right).

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Women's Youth 13 10m Air Rifle gold medallist Cecilia Ng.

Rachel Chua Xin Ying, Women's Youth 13 10m Air Pistol gold medallist.

Women's Youth 15 10m Air Rifle gold medallist Ho Xiu Yi.

School News

Happy Birthday, Singapore!

SG50 National Day Celebrations

Singapore Sports School student-athletes, staff and parent representatives from the Sporting Parents Network decorated 50 cakes in celebration of Singapore’s 50th birthday. Groups took pictures of their decorated cakes and uploaded them on Instagram with the hashtag #SSPSG50CAKE which were then judged based on

the Instagram pictures. The five most beautifully decorated cakes received gift hampers sponsored by Nestlé Singapore.

Celebrations got into full swing as student-athlete band Red Hot Chilli Padis dished out performances to bring out the festive mood. The programme was hosted by Secondary 3 Justin Lim and Year 2 Diploma in Sports and Leisure Management student-athlete Raphael Chau Yi Zhi at the Sports School Dining Hall on 6 August 2015. Three footballers teamed up to present a display of skills on a Kendama, a traditional Japanese toy, while alumnus Calvin Kang Li Loong returned to his alma mater to give an apt rendition of “Home”.

The loudest cheers were reserved for Principal Tan Teck Hock when he joined the Student-Athlete Council Executive Committee in grooving to the beats of Uptown Funk in the final performance of the day. A video of lunch was shown via live-streaming garnering audible “oohs” and “ahhs” before the sumptuous meal was served.

Mr Tan also led the School in a toast to Singapore, in true Singapore style, with three cheers of “Yam Seng”. All present were treated to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, courtesy of Mr Wong Toon King, founder of The Happy People Company, who is the father of fencing alumnus Nicole Mae Wong Hui Shan.

The day began with an Observance Ceremony at Sports School’s Parade Square. Sports School student-athletes, staff and parents were joined by National Servicemen from the 16th Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Battalion. The 16C4I Battalion is a partner of the Sports School under the NEXUS initiative to promote National Education in schools.

Student-athlete leaders Cheryl Sin Huiwen, Manoj Jeyapala and Rayhan Fairuz led the contingent in the National Anthem and The Pledge and a recollections segment compiled by the Ministry of Education, to remind Singaporeans that the nation’s sovereignty cannot be taken for granted.

The formal proceedings were concluded with messages from MOE Minister Heng Swee Keat, read by Mr Tan, and Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Tien Li-Chih, who shared personal thoughts on the significance this year’s National Day celebrations and the importance of National Service.

Birthday Wishes For Singapore

“This is home, truly, where I know I must be! Singapore is always home and no other land will ever replace it. I would like to thank our founding fathers for all they have done and sacrificed to transform Singapore into this wondrous city. May we lead Singapore to a brighter future. Rock on Singapore! Fifty years old and still so hot!”

– Daphne Oh Xin Yi (IBDP 2/Bowling)

“Singapore is my upbringing. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child and Singapore is that village. My wish is for Singapore to be a friendlier place for all.”

– Raphael Chau Yi Zhi (RP-SSP DSLM Year 2/Swimming)

“Singapore is my home, my country and something that I believe in with all my heart. As a Singaporean, every step that Singapore takes to further improve this already outstanding country just makes my heart burst with pride. For instance, the Singapore Botanic Gardens being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site made me swell with so much pride that I could not resist boasting to my cousins from across the Causeway. Happy 50th birthday, Singapore. Here's to another 50 years of success and progress.”

– Manoj Jeyapala (Secondary 4B/Fencing)

“Singapore is more than a home to me. This is a place where I can confidently find my way home no matter where I am and where I can comfortably speak our local language, Singlish, with my friends. I wish that the next 50 years to come will see us improve further as a nation and keep up with rising global standards, such as a sustainable economic development and growth, stable political environment, strong defence and harmonious living among all peoples. – Lenice Tan Yue Tong (Secondary 3B/Shooting)

Observance Ceremony

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Tien Li-Chih sharing his thoughts on SG50 National Day celebrations and National Service with the School.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Tien Li-Chih receiving a token of appreciation from Principal Tan Teck Hock.

Celebration

Vocalists of student-athlete band Red Hot Chilli Padis Daniel Abdullah Harun and Kelsey Chong Jing Yi.

Basist Zacharias Low Zhi Zhong and pianist Tatiana Wong Yu Rong.

Darryl Sim giving a solo instrumental performance on the guitar.

Singers Zann Chee Wai Yee (left) and Eleanor Tan Shu Ya.

MCs Justin Lim (left) and Raphael Chau Yi Zhi.

Footballers displaying their skills on the Kendama.

Principal Tan Teck Hock performing with the Student-Athlete Council Exco.

Alumnus Calvin Kang Li Loong with his rendition of 'Home'.

Alumni from the graduation class of 2008 returned to join in the National Day celebrations.

Cake-decoration contest. Student-athletes, staff and parents decorated 50 cakes to celebrate SG50.

Project Champions Way beneficiaries, Club Rainbow (Singapore) (left) and Singapore DisabilitySports Council, were presented cheques for $56,000 raised from fundraising efforts.

FNN-100PLUS sponsored 'red and white' drinks for the occasion - F&N Cherryade and 100PLUS, while Nestle (Singapore) contributed MILO hampers as prizes for the cake decoration contest.

Servings of Ben & Jerry's ice cream contributed by Mr Wong Toon King, founder of The Happy People Company and father of fencing alumnus Nicole Mae Wong Hui Shan.

Student-athletes building LEGO sets, Building My SG, given to each student by MOE.

Awards

Super Shanti Is RP’s Sportswoman Of The Year

Republic Polytechnic Sports Awards

Singapore sprinter Veronica Shanti Pereira is Republic Polytechnic’s Sportswoman of the Year. She also received Republic Honours and the Meritorious Gold award at RP’s Sports Awards on 24 July 2015.

Shanti was asked to provide a video clip to accept her award in anticipation that she would be overseas. In the video clip, Shanti said that she is grateful to RP for selecting her as the Sportswoman of the Year.

“There are a few people I would like to thank because they have been journeying with me to where I am. Firstly, my family. They are my No. 1 supporters and they have been with me through thick and thin, and ups and downs.

“Then, there’s my coach, Ms Margaret Oh. She has coached me for the past four years. She truly has my best interests at heart and wants to see me go the furthest that I can go in my sport career. She is also like my second mum, so I can’t be grateful enough to her.

“I also want to thank Singapore Sports School as well as Republic Polytechnic for providing the Diploma in Sports and Leisure Management programme at the Sports School for athletes like myself. The RP-SSP DSLM programme has afforded me time and opportunity to excel in both sports and studies. I am able to train

regularly for major meets like the recent Southeast Asian Games as well as attend classes and compete assignments.”

Shanti said the path taken by student-athletes poses many challenges, but she has no regret.

“It takes a lot for us to chase our dreams and achieve our goals. There’s a phrase that I recall whenever I feel tired and self-doubt: ‘It is never easy, but the best things in life never are.’ I live by this phrase of comfort and assurance because the best things in life come along with a whole lot of blood sweat and tears, but at the end of the day, achieving our dreams will rise above all of that.”

Altogether, 41 awards of various levels were presented to Singapore Sports School’s post-secondary student-athletes who are enrolled in RP’s Diploma in Sports and Leisure Management programme; all recipients are national athletes in badminton, bowling, golf, swimming, tennis, table tennis and track and field. Among them, nine received Republic Honours and three, the Most Valuable Player award.

Award Recipients

Sportswoman of the Year

Track and Field

Veronica Shanti Pereira

Republic Honours

Badminton

Terry Hee Yong Kai

Bowling

Javier Tan jun Juan

Joel Tan Eng An

Golf Marc Ong Chong Ching

Track and Field

Eugenia Tan Yan Ning

Muhammad Naqib Asmin

Tyra Summer ree

Veronica Shanti Pereira

Wendy Enn

Most Valuable Player

Badminton

Loh Kean Yew

Ninna Tan Ai

Table Tennis

Tay Jit Kiat

Meritorious Gold

Badminton

Loh Kean Yew

Ninna Tan Ai

Bowling

Joy Yap Jing Ying

Kuek Qi En

Marcus Kiew Jiawei Tracy See Wan Zhen

Swimming

Malcolm Low Wei Yang

Oh Yao Jie

Track and Field

Eugenia Tan Yan Ning

Kerstin Ong Jing Rong

Muhammad Naqib Asmin

Tyra Summer Ree

Veronica Shanti Pereira

Meritorious Silver

Badminton

Ang Wei Jun

Deline Quek Chun Yi Loh Kean Hean

Bowling

Alex Chong Wei Chien

Table Tennis

Tay Jit Kiat

Certificate of Merit

Badminton

Elaine Chua Yi Ling

Jason Wong Guang Liang

Tan Ming Shun

Swimming

Benedict Boon Ji Chao

Dylan Tan Junjin

Raphael Chau Yi Zhi

Tennis

Angela Lim Shan Min

Track and Field

Pan Shi Yu

Athlete Development Grant

Track and Field

Kerstin Ong Jing Rong

Alumni News

July Jubilation

Singapore Sports School alumni brought in one piece of good news after another in the month of July.

On 21 July 2015, Isabelle Li Siyun was awarded the Public Service Commission Scholarship to study Liberal Arts at Yale-NUS College. Then, on 31 July 2015, Joel Pang Wen Jie graduated from Nanyang Technological University amongst the top

of his cohort with two awards – the Koh Boon Hwee Award and the Bachelor of Sport Science and Management Gold Medal.

The Koh Boon Hwee Award, formerly known as the University Scholars Award, recognises the achievement of graduating students while honouring teachers and faculty members who have been an inspiration to them.

“It’s truly an honour for me to receive the Koh Boon Hwee Award. I’m thankful for this platform to acknowledge the mentors that I have met along my life journey who have played a significant role in guiding and moulding me into the person I am today. My teachers in Singapore Sports School have all played a part in my development as a person. If I could, I would have nominated every teacher and staff who had been a part of my secondary school education,” said Joel.

“However, Mr Raymond Mak is one teacher who stood above the rest throughout my five years as a secondary and post-secondary student-athlete in the Sports School, and even as a university undergraduate. He played many roles: Science teacher, Boarding School mentor, teacher-in-charge of the Student’s Council, of which I was a member of from 2004 to 2006. He not only delivered Science lessons, he played an integral role in developing me as a student-athlete leader and as a person.

“What was I treasure most was his constant concern for his students. He would always try to find time to catch up with his students – no matter how busy his schedule was as Assistant Director of Academics – to guide them through challenges were facing even after they had graduated from the Sports School.”

The 25-year-old national sailor, who is a recipient of the Singapore Sports Council Scholarship (renamed Sport Singapore Scholarship) also graduated among the top of his cohort, receiving the Sports Science and Management Gold Medal, awarded to outstanding or top graduands. He is currently serving his SportSG bond as an Associate Sport Physiologist with the Singapore Sports Institute.

Isabelle is the only recipient from a polytechnic to win the PSC Scholarship this year, and only the eighth in the past three years. The 20-year-old national table tennis player is also the first PSC Scholarship recipient from Republic Polytechnic.

“I couldn’t have made it this far on my own. I’ve got a great family to thank for supporting me in my pursuit of excellence in sports and studies concurrently, especially my mum who would bring meals to the Sports School for me during my polytechnic days so that I didn’t have to sit through afternoon lessons hungry following training in the morning with the national team at Toa Payoh Sports Complex,” said Isabelle.

“I fell in love with table tennis when I was about 9 or 10 years old. My coach, Mr Wang Xiaoke, at Chongfu Primary School, pushed me hard enough to challenge me but never overboard to risk me losing interest in the sport. He encouraged me to choose the Sports School as my secondary school. By the time I was in Primary 6, there were several Sports School student-athletes I looked up to – Tan Hui Min, Zena Sim, for example. There was no second thought about which school I wanted to study at.”

For her post-secondary education, Isabelle opted for the through-train pathway leading to Republic Polytechnic’s Diploma in Sports and Leisure Management as the customised programme, delivered by RP’s lecturers at the Sports School, offered the flexibility that allowed her to train and compete overseas to gain international exposure and chalk up world ranking points. Isabelle graduated from RP in May 2014 as its Valedictorian with a 3.98 Grade Point Average. She spent the next 12 months training fulltime in preparation of the Singapore 2015 Southeast Asian Games where she won a gold medal as part of the Women’s Team.

“My next challenge is going through university and graduating well, while continuing to represent Singapore in table tennis. It will not be easy but there are sportsmen and sportswomen before me who have travelled this path successfully and I look up to them.”

Isabelle Li Siyun (third from right) is the second Singapore Sports School alumnus to receive the PSC Scholarship.

Joel Pang Wen Jie (second from right) in conversation with President Tony Tan.

‘Convenience Is Gold’

Thomson-East Coast MRT Line

‘Convenience Is Gold’. That’s the message that the four Olympians from Singapore Sports School are helping the Land Transport Authority to deliver for the new Thomson-East Coast MRT Line which has a station at Woodlands Drive 17.

Swimmer Tao Li, sprinter Calvin Kang Li Loong, swimmer Mylene Ong Chui Bin and hurdler Dipna Lim Prasad are featured on a hoarding as saying: “We are fast, the train will be faster. With the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line, coming back to visit our alma mater will definitely be much easier.”

The Woodlands South MRT Station (TE3) is an underground station next to Christ Church Secondary School and within walking distance from the Sports School. This

station was announced in August 2012 and scheduled to be operational in 2019. When the Thomson-East Coast Line is completed in 2024, commuters will be able to travel from Woodlands North MRT, near Republic Polytechnic, to Sungei Bedok, served by 31 stops.