JUNIOR SPORTS AT SELETAR

Country Club

DOREEN, BOWLING COACH

Can you describe what a typical practice session looks like for your bowlers?

For a typical practice session, we will start with stretching exercises and breathing techniques. The stretching exercise is designed to increase our bowlers’ flexibility and range of motion. This will also help to prevent injury and decrease pain associated with muscle tightness. Typical stretching exercises include the Runner’s Stretch, Forward Fold, Seated Back Twist, Bound Angle, etc. Meanwhile, breathing techniques will help our bowlers to keep their emotions in check and improve their attention span.

Next is to practice basic bowling drills. This reinforces the bowling fundamentals of our bowlers. The drills help to enhance the bowlers’ handling of a bowling ball and will improve timing, body position, release and other core skills. Through these drills, we will be able to correct our bowlers’ short comings and reinforce their skillset.

We also engage in sparing sessions to maintain our bowlers’ scoring consistency. Before we end our training sessions, our bowlers will play a few games. This allows us to check how our bowlers perform when playing a normal game.

In addition, we pass on key technical knowledge to improve their bowling ability, and also to have a better overall understanding of the game.

What are your core values as a bowling coach?

The core values I bring to our bowlers are:

• Perseverance – Work through difficulties and discouragement to pursue both individual and team objectives.

• Reliability and Respectfulness – Always perform to the best of your ability, and treat others the way you want to be treated.

• Cooperation – Work with other bowlers in a mutual quest for excellence.

Beside improving their skill set, I also aim to develop our bowlers’ character development. I hope they will become more confident and disciplined.

How do you develop support for the team?

Part of being supportive is to be positive, respectful and be a clear communicator. I always engage our bowlers by providing advice during their games. And of course, to stand with them even during their lowest moments.

The Junior Sports scene at Seletar Country Club has really heated up in recent years. Whilst we have always been strong in sports like bowling, tennis and swimming, the focus had always been very much on the adults. Recently, the Sports and Social team have put in an incredible amount of effort to work with our coaches to build up the respective sports at the junior level too. Whilst this endeavor has mostly taken place behind the scenes without much fanfare, it is nevertheless important for us to appreciate the due process which has taken place that has led to the current state of affairs. Thus, we sat down with our Bowling, Tennis & Swimming Coaches to find out more about how they conduct coaching for their respective sports:

What approach do you take when your students are struggling?

Be it during training, routine games or competitions, our bowlers will sometimes exhibit emotional instability or stress. Depending on what they are struggling with, I will help them with any physical and tactical issues. This is will ease their burden, which often translates to immediate results in the game.

For bowlers struggling with their emotions, I will help by giving them more encouragement, diverting their attention from negative thoughts, balancing their focus and remind them to use the proper breathing techniques.

As a testament to the quality of our coaching, Seletar’s bowlers managed to achieve the following in 2022:

• Koh Humaira – NAG Singles U12 (2nd), NAG U12 Masters Final (2nd)

• Hailey Pereira – NSG Senior Div Girls All Events (2nd), NSG Senior Div Girls Team Event (2nd)

• Layla Pereira – NYC Masters Match Play U12 (2nd), NSG Senior Div Girls Team Event (2nd)

• Donovan Lim – NSG Boys Doubles C Div (4th)

• Megan Peh – Novice Girls Upper Sec Div Singles (2nd) / Doubles (1st) / All Events (1st)

• Koh Amirul – Novice Boys Upper Sec Div Doubles (1st)

• Adam Toh – Seletar Youth Masters (1st)

NELSON, IN-HOUSE SWIMMING COACH

Tell us about how the SwimSafer module specifically benefits Seletar Members.

At Seletar Country Club, we incorporate SWIMSAFER modules into our swimming programmes. SWIMSAFER is strongly promoted in all schools as a must learn swimming module from the MOE. It is a water safety program designed to promote safe swimming practices and reduce the risk of drowning. The module specifications of SWIMSAFER outline the components and features of the program, and these specifications provide several benefits, including:

(1) Standardized Curriculum: SWIMSAFER module specifications establish a standardized curriculum that ensures consistent and comprehensive water safety education. This allows for a structured and progressive learning approach, with clear objectives and outcomes for each level of the program. Standardization ensures that all participants receive similar instruction, regardless of location or instructor, resulting in a consistent level of knowledge and skills.

(2) Comprehensive Skills Development: The module specifications of SWIMSAFER cover a wide range of swimming and water safety skills, including water familiarization, water survival skills, stroke techniques, and water rescue techniques. This comprehensive skills development enables participants to acquire a diverse set of abilities that are crucial for safe swimming and survival in aquatic environments.

(3) Progressive Learning: SWIMSAFER follows a progressive learning approach, where participants advance through different levels based on their proficiency. The module specifications outline the learning objectives and requirements for each level, allowing participants to gradually build upon their skills and progress at their own pace. This ensures that participants can develop their abilities in a systematic manner, building a strong foundation of water safety skills before advancing to more complex techniques.

(4) Enhanced Water Safety: The ultimate benefit of SWIMSAFER module specifications is improved water safety.

By providing a standardized curriculum, comprehensive skills development, progressive learning, and flexibility in implementation, SWIMSAFER equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely enjoy aquatic activities and prevent drowning incidents. This can result in a reduction in water-related accidents and drowning incidents, contributing to a safer aquatic environment for individuals of all ages.

What does a typical swimming lesson look like for your students?

Our swimming programmes are structured in a stepby-step way for effective learning, and also include fun elements rather than simply just mundane theory lessonsso that students will look forward to the next session.

A typical lesson includes the following segments:

(1) Explorations: The lesson begins with an introduction to the Club's pools, H2O safety, pool depth knowledge and exploring both the shallow and deep ends of the pools.

(2) Skill or Technique: Introduce a specific skill or technique that will be the focus of the lesson. Clearly explain and demonstrate the skill using simple and concise instructions. Educate on the necessary safety precautions and emphasize proper body positioning and technique.

(3) Skill Practice: Practice the skill or technique in the water, providing individual feedback and corrections as needed. Use lap swimming & drills, exercises or games that target the specific skill being taught to reinforce learning and encourage engagement. Practice the skill with repetition and gradually increase the difficulty level as they progress.

Are there any plans to bring back competitive swimming to Seletar?

While there are currently no plans to bring competitive swimming back to Seletar, that is not to say that we cannot be a stepping stone for students to prepare for competitions elsewhere. For students who wish to swim competitively, we are always on hand to offer sound advice.

To become good swimmers, what are the ideal traits for individuals to possess?

Frankly, it is not easy to become a good swimmer. One has to undergo extensive training and practice to develop their skills and reach their full potential. They need to build up their endurance, strength, flexibility, and technique through consistent practice, proper nutrition, and specialized training programs. Mental skills such as focus, determination, and resilience are also developed over time through training and exposure to competitions. Moreover, the environment in which a swimmer grows up and trains in can also play a significant role in their development. Access to quality coaching, training facilities and support systems can greatly impact a swimmer's progress and success. Hard work, dedication, perseverance and a passion for the sport are crucial factors that contribute to the success of a swimmer. With the right combination of talent, training and determination, individuals can develop their swimming skills and achieve high levels of success. Having said that, the parents' dedication & access to resources are also needed to nurture a truly good swimmer.

A good swimmer must possess the following traits:

1) Swimming Technique: Having good swimming technique is crucial for efficient and effective swimming. This includes proper body position, arm and leg movements, breathing technique, and overall stroke mechanics. Swimmers with good technique can move through the water more efficiently.

2) Physical Fitness: Swimming requires a good level of physical fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. A swimmer should have good stamina to sustain long periods of swimming, as well as adequate strength and flexibility to perform the required movements and prevent injuries.

3) Discipline and Commitment: Swimming requires consistent practice and dedication. Good swimmers are disciplined and committed to regular training sessions, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, rest, and recovery.

4) Strong Focus: Swimming can be physically and mentally

TAUFIQ, IN-HOUSE TENNIS COACH

What do you take into account when creating training programs for students?

I have been a tennis coach for 13 years now. Based on my experience, I find that student development is my primary strength. When I create a training program, my main focus is on the basic fundamentals of tennis and the development of the student. Progression is key in all my programs at Seletar, whether it’s the Adults or Juniors. Both me and the students share the same goal, which is to progress from beginner to intermediate level, followed by the advance level where students start playing match play events or even small tournaments organized by Seletar.

How would you coach a student with poor hand-eye coordination?

It's normal for a beginner student to have poor hand-eye coordination in tennis, especially the Juniors. We undergo specific drills that help improve hand-eye coordination. Typically, these drills constitute a big part of every lesson for my Tots and Red Ball groups at Seletar.

How do you deal with younger students who throw tantrums every time they lose a tennis match?

For a junior player, throwing tantrums after losing a tennis match is a good sign to me and I take it positively as a coach. However, I will always talk to the player and understand why he or she reacted that way. After listening to the player and understanding why they reacted a certain way, I will advise on how he or she should have reacted instead and remind them about professionalism.

What do you find most rewarding about being a Tennis Coach?

As a Tennis coach, the most rewarding moments are seeing my players progress from the beginner stage to a higher level. Nothing beats the feeling of watching them grow and winning tournaments. I have one player who started learning tennis from me at the age of 5 years demanding, especially during competitions. Good swimmers possess mental toughness, which includes mental resilience, focus, determination, and the ability to manage stress and pressure effectively. playing red ball and upon reaching 10 years old, he was the champion of the Singapore Tennis Association’s (STA) Spex Tournament U10 tournament. As a Tennis coach, moments like these motivate me to keep going to strive for more success with my students.

5) Goal-Oriented: Successful swimmers are typically goal-oriented and have a clear vision of what they want to achieve in their swimming career. They set realistic and achievable goals, both short-term and long-term, and work diligently towards achieving them.

6) Positive Attitude: Having a positive attitude towards training, competition and teammates can greatly impact a swimmer's performance. Ideal swimmers maintain a positive outlook, show sportsmanship, and support their fellow swimmers, contributing to a positive training environment.

7) Passion and Love for Swimming: Swimmers must be motivated by their love of the water, the joy of swimming, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving their goals in the pool.

As a testament to the quality of our coaching, Seletar’s tennis players managed to achieve the following in 2022:

2022 JTTL 12B1 Champion

Bennett Tay, Rachel Zhang, Wong Kaegen & Wong Kenrick

2022 JTTL 10B1 2nd Place

Sean Thia, Marcus Wong

2022 STA SPEX U10 Girls' Singles Champion

Sophie Wong

2022 STA SPEX U10 Girls' Doubles Champion

Sophie Wong

2022 JTTL 10ARed 2nd Place

Sophie Wong