What inspired to write this entry is probably the sudden realization of how important coaches are, and how they made a difference into molding me to what I am today.
My first coach was Mr Edmund Tan. We all call him Sir. When I was in Primary 4, I took up a new sport, basketball. Training was simple and consisted of drills. He has got many many drills, and all of them were numbered. The largest number was 23. After a long day of training, we would sit on benches at the side of the court and watch as our seniors played full court game. We were supposed to sit and learn and absorb as much as possible. Training was long and tough, consisted of a whole day of drills and fitness training. But we were so young then we did not know how to bargain or to disobey, we just did whatever Sir told us to do.
Everyone in the team wanted to exceed his expectation of each of us. When we start the training, he would say 18,23. It means thats we have to run 18 rounds together as a team around the Level 2 corridor of our school, and at the 19th round, we are free to run at our own pace without stopping, and the least number of rounds that we ran is 23. But no one ever stopped at the 23rd round. We just ran and ran and ran. I hold the highest record, 60 rounds when I was in Primary 6. After the warm up run, we start the training with drill #7, which is mainly a dribbling drill. Then, we would start to do drills in pairs. Everyone has their own designated partner. Whatever we do as a team, we would automatically form 2 rows, with our designated partner, and designated place. My partner and I was the 3rd pair, always. After all the pair work drills, we move on to team drills that involve 3 or 4 people at one time. After all these drills, we finally move on to game play.
Sir likes to use chinese chess pieces to teach game play. He made a big board, which has the outlines of a basketball court, and let us make our own chess pieces. We bought a chess set where the chess pieces are really big, we used masking tape to cover the chinese letter on the chess piece, and sprayed it with black spray paint. This is because we were known as the Black Team (its the colour of the team which commands the highest amount of respect in Naval Base Primary. The senior guys team was Green Team, junior girls the Blue Team, and junior boys the Red Team). Each chess piece was personalized as our names were on the piece that corresponds to the position that we play. We loved it.
We also wore jersey to school, to classes. The basketball team was so BIG in my school that kids in other sports were so jealous of us. We had training during lesson time, after school, during recess, and even before school. It was great. We were so united, so close, so focused, so powerful. There was a pride in us when we put on out vests. Our jerseys were always tucked in, and our vests are always on us when we are not training, because we were taught to cover our school's name in front of the public as it would meant a disrespect for our jersey and school. We would always fold our vest nicely when we take them off so that the name our our school or our jersey number would be shown on top.
It was so much about pride, integrity, honour, determination and respect. Under his guidance for 6 years I became a good player, a good vice-captain, a good guard, a good senior, a good junior and a good person. He taught me how to respect my seniors, how to be respected by juniors, how to treat my school name with pride, and the importance of determination. I respect him from the bottom of my heart.
The second most memorable coach I had was Gui Cai. He taught me how to shoot properly, how to play a set play and how to play the modern game in a traditional manner. Never really got too close with him, was only under him for 2 years, but nonetheless, he has earned my respect by showing me the versatility of the beautiful game.
The 3rd coach was Jia Qiang. He was a very fierce coach and had high expectations of me. From a guard I became a controller and then a shooting guard(thanks to Gui Cai), I was learning too many things at one time. I felt taxed and stressed. I argued with a coach for the first time in my life. After that arguement, both of us gave in a bit. He expected less from me, and I wanted to show him that I can do what he thinks I am capable of doing. I wanted to be the best in the team, so that he can shower me with his affection and care. Being a captain certainly made me want to prove myself to him more. But he never raised his voice at me after the arguement. Never. He showed me what it meant by falling in love with his own team. He sacrificed alot for my team, and I respect him for making those sacrifices to protect us from harm.
These 3 coaches have made a significance impact on me and my values, what I think is important for a team player and a leader. Even now when basketball is no longer my greatest passion, it shall forever remain a part of me. My past, my memories, my friends are all so greatly connected to this sport that I find it impossible to let go.
My first handball coach was Kok Siang. The simple fact that he trust me made me want to give all of what I have to the team. I was only a new player to this sport and he entrusted me with the most difficult position of all, center. It was difficult at first, having to play alongside with so many experienced players made me lose confidence in my ability. However, encouragement from these experienced players and Kok Siang made me believe I can really do it if I put my mind and heart into it. Trust, is what he taught me.
Qing Huan and Hon feng were the next 2 coaches that I had. They were strict and clear in what they want the girls to accomplish. They never gave up on the team. Even though I felt that I have let the two of them down, they would use encouraging words to lift me up. Even though I felt that I did a bad job as a captain, they convinced me to think otherwise. Both of them were my pillars during the competition. I would always look for them in the middle of the game for instructions. Whatever they say, is my command. Strength, is what they gave me.
All my coaches taught me valuable lessons at different stages of my life. I shall always remember their teachings, engrave their golden words in my mind. I really appreciate my coaches and am glad that our paths crossed.
Wanting to be the player that all my coaches wanted me to be,
Qing
