Developing a well-governed and thriving charity sector

Mr Dominic Nathan, Editor of The New Paper,

Principal and Staff of the Singapore Sports School,

Budding athletes,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon. I am delighted to join you today at The New Paper School Sports Star Award ceremony.
   

Recognising student-athletes & teacher-coaches

2. The New Paper started this Award in 2011 to recognise some of the best student-athletes in our schools. The award not only recognises their sporting achievements, but more importantly, also the strength of their character, as well as the contributions they make to their schools.

3. Behind each and every one of these student-athletes, there is one or more highly committed teacher-coaches – many of whom have devoted much time and energy outside the classroom to bring out the best in our student-athletes. I am happy to see that they too are being honoured for their valuable contributions today.

4. I would like to congratulate all the finalists and nominees of The New Paper School Sports Star Award. You are certainly role models for your peers, both within and outside the sporting arena.

5. Take Brian Cheong for example. The 16-year-old Singapore Sports School student almost had to give up fencing when he was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago. But Brian was determined to pursue his passion for fencing. With the help of his family and the Sports School, Brian returned to competitive fencing and clinched an individual silver medal at the Inter-School Fencing Championships earlier this year. All this while he was preparing for his O-Level examinations.

6. Brian shared that he was grateful for the support he received from his school, especially his coach who helped to tailor Brian’s training programme to put him on the fast track to recovery.
   

Sports School review recommendations

7. The above shows that having the right environment makes a difference to the performance of our student-athletes, where the provision of quality coaching and specialised support have become increasingly important in their athletic development. While student-athletes from the Sports School such as Brian have the benefit of training in an athlete-centric environment, we wanted to see how similar services can also be extended beyond the Sports School, to support the sporting aspirations of more of our young athletes.

8. This follows from the challenge Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had set for the Sports School last year, on its 10th anniversary. He said the Sports School should aim to “become a national sports academy of excellence 10 years from now”.

9. In response, the Sports School formed a review committee to examine the role, positioning and integration of the Sports School within Singapore’s sports excellence ecosystem. The Committee looked at ways to improve the school’s sports and academic programmes, and importantly, how the school can play a bigger role to contribute to Singapore’s sporting landscape.

10. I am pleased to announce today that the Review has been completed, and that the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has accepted the Committee’s recommendations.

11. On this occasion where we recognise the achievements of these outstanding student-athletes, I am pleased to share that the Sports School has plans in place to take student-athlete development for Singapore to the next level.

Enhancing the value proposition of the Sports School

12. One of the key recommendations is to extend the development pathway for Sports School student-athletes. So the Sports School will offer additional 6+ years through-train programmes over the current 4-year secondary programme. It will also strengthen linkages with local and overseas universities to provide a wider range of athlete-friendly post-secondary pathways.

13. Alongside these academic pathways, the Sports School will also prioritise top-notch coaching for its student-athletes and provide a distinctive sports-focused curriculum. Aspiring student-athletes will be able to benefit from modules such as sports physiology and nutrition to help student-athletes develop to their fullest potential.

14. We saw glimpses of this in our Sports School alumni at the recent SEA Games in June. Many would remember Shanti Pereira’s historic win in the women’s 200m finals with a record time of 23.60 seconds. Shanti has been an inspiration to her juniors, including Diane Hilary Pragasam, the 14-year-old Sports School sprinter who is also one of the TNP School Sports Star award finalists this year.

15. Diane recently equalled Shanti’s four-gold feat at the National Inter-School Track and Field Championships, and she hopes to emulate Shanti’s achievements on the regional stage one day.

16. With the enhancements to the Sports School’s programmes, student-athletes like Diane can now look forward to even greater curricular flexibility to help her balance the demands of competitive sport and a sound academic education.

National Youth Sports Institute

17. To further raise the overall standards in the youth sports excellence ecosystem, a new National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) will be set up to provide specialised services and support to high-performing youth athletes in both mainstream schools and the Sports School.

18. This will benefit student-athletes like Dineshraj Naidu, the 17-year-old hockey player from St Andrew’s Secondary School. Also a finalist of the TNP School Sports Star award this year, Dineshraj hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a national hockey player.

19. The NYSI will provide student-athletes like Dineshraj with greater opportunities to train with hockey players from National Age-Group teams and other Singapore School Sports teams. It will also provide sports medicine and sports science services to these young athletes, including athlete education and career guidance.

Building on the foundations of the last 10 years

20. The Sports School has made significant positive impact to the education and development of young athletes. Over the last 10 years, it has accumulated valuable experience and expertise. It is now in a good position to share its expertise more widely to support the sporting aspirations of student-athletes in mainstream schools and make a greater impact in youth sport.

21. The Sports School will need to continue working closely with our stakeholders including the NSAs, sporting and education fraternities, the students and their parents to provide our youth with the best support in their pursuit of sporting excellence and nurture a new generation of accomplished athletes.

Inspiring the Singapore spirit through sporting excellence

22. These measures signify a broader commitment to provide continued support for youth sports. Our goal does not stop at nurturing champions; we aim to develop the youth athletes of today into sporting heroes of tomorrow.

23. At the SEA Games this year, 96 past and present Sports School student-athletes represented Singapore, winning a total of 32 gold, 19 silver and 19 bronze medals. The gold medals make up about 40% of the 84 won by Team Singapore athletes.

24. More importantly, we saw how the new generation of athletes like Shanti can inspire a nation and bring us all together as One Team Singapore. So I urge all our student-athletes to dream big and persevere in your sporting pursuits. You will not be alone in this journey. Those who demonstrate the right attitude and potential can look forward to greater support from the Sports School and the new NYSI.

Concluding remarks

25. I want to conclude with a final word of thanks to The New Paper for giving readers a chance to be inspired by all our deserving finalists and nominees.

26. I also want to acknowledge the contributions of the award’s sponsors - Yeo’s and the Soilbuild Group. Thank you for also believing in our student-athletes and their teacher-coaches.

27. Once again, my congratulations to all our young athletes present today. There may only be one eventual winner each in the boys’ and the girls’ category, but in my view, all of you have proven yourselves to be true champions. I wish our budding athletes all the best in your studies, and continued success in your sporting endeavours.

28. Thank you.