BallSpeak
The Name
Vital Statistics Height: 1.74 m Weight: 61 kg Position: Centre
OF The
Game >>In this D&D exclusive, outstanding national player-coach Toh Lin Sin talks about her playing career, motivations and views on basketball. By Joy-Anne Tan.
oh Lin Sin was first inducted into the game by her coach during her student days at Nanyang Girls’ High. “I was interested in playing basketball but I guess I could have joined any other CCA. So it was my coach who placed me in the team and I had to play in a sense and I enjoyed it!” And this decision has seen her reap many achievements in the course of her basketball life. Not many 24-year-olds can boast of as many accolades with the Singapore National basketball team. In many people’s eyes, Lin Sin is a hardworking and humble lass who is not one to cut corners to pursue her dreams and passions.
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“My very first basketball coach, Lok Chi, inspired me through her discipline of self and team, and her coaching. I’ve learnt a lot and it has in many ways shaped the way I play and my attitude towards life.” Reminiscing about her younger days, Lin Sin shares a very important aspect from her coach, “Not all players may be all rounded but we need to see the best points of each player and make each player a better one and the team a better team. The
way my coach handles the potential in each player is something I feel that even now in my career as a teacher, I should keep up,” she says.
Imparting Values Deciding to become a teacher was a decision well chosen in retrospect. “I was more selective about my career because I had to think about how it would affect my playing of basketball. It helped as well that I get to play and
BallSpeak
with higher level players and you learn to accommodate so that things will work out. Having a fully local team back then, a larger role or responsibility had to be shouldered by the local players whereas in the current team, roles and responsibilities are more equally shared out between the local and foreign players. This allows players to concentrate on their key strengths such as taking rebounds, giving more assists etc.” “Most of the time, the focus of our opponents may be on our foreign talents and this creates more chances for other players as a result of diverted attention,” says Lin Sin. “The main challenge is to play as a team and work towards the team goals, setting aside self for common goals.”
Minyi, Wanling, Lok Chi, LinSin & Meiyun
also coach. I wanted to pursue my passion for basketball and impart various values to others. And being a PE teacher gives me more opportunities to play basketball,” she says. It was also her first coach, Loke Chi, who inspired her the most. “I always remember what coach said,” she says enthusiastically. “Even if you lose, you must lose with tenacity! Let your opponent know you’re not easily pushed around.” She adds passionately, “When you see a good shot, you have to take it. It’s your responsibility as a player or professional to keep up with the play and not reduce your dedication. It will affect your play in other matches.” Lin Sin always keeps the right attitude coupled with sheer determination and hard work. Lin Sin recalls fondly of clinching the B Division championship title while at Nanyang Girls’ High. “Set plays and everything else worked as planned. It was a dream match for us. We’ve been training through the years and our hard work just paid off.”
Things Were Simpler She did reveal that in the past, things seemed much simpler and the main motivation for a player was playing for school, coach and friends. Nowadays, it’s a little more stressful because
the clubs are rising up, playing with different age-groups and different objectives makes it more challenging as well. Of course the going was not always smooth sailing, Lin Sin’s basketball career hit a rough patch when she suffered a major injury to her knee. She needed reconstructive surgery and had to stay out sports for about six months. “It was quite a traumatic experience because it felt as though all I have achieved through the years was suddenly lost. However, I am proud to say that being able to walk out from the rehabilitation after a short period of depression was an achievement because I did not give up halfway.”
Common Goals Having playing for the Singapore National Team from 1998-1999 and from 2004 to the present, Lin Sin felt that there were some differences to the structure of the team as well as playing tactics. “With newer players and foreign talents as team mates, you get to play
Set Personal Targets To prepare for each game and tournament, Lin Sin has this to share: “I think it’s important to set personal targets and visualise the moves you want to make before every game. This helps to keep you focused.” When not playing basketball, our talented national player has a quieter side. “I like to spend time alone, taking time for reflection and relaxation.” On sportsmanship, Lin Sin has this to say, “A positive and humble attitude is the difference between a good sportsman and an excellent sportsman. If conflicts arise in the team, it may be because one party wants the ball so much that he forgets about the others.” “Try out new moves when you are young and don’t let fear hold you back, naturally not at the expense of any crucial team games or tournaments. Your confidence will gradually build up over the years.”
A positive and humble attitude is the difference between a good sportsman and an excellent sportsman