JSAs Court Young Talent for Smashing Results
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Passionate about the sport, Yvonne is happiest when she is playing on the badminton court.
Some say patience is a virtue.
Not for Yvonne Tan Hui Juan. For within the short space of one year and defying all expectations, the Pri 6 student from Yew Tee Primary School smashed her way from obscurity to be selected for training with the Singapore Badminton Association Junior Squad.
It's no mean feat, as Yvonne was the last participant to join the first batch of players from the MOE's Junior Sports Academies (JSA) programme in February 2008. But how this rapid rise in the court rankings occurred is itself a series of serendipitous events well worth telling.
Scouting for new squads
One day, while Yvonne's mom was accompanying her sister home after a tuition session at Yew Tee Community Centre, she casually sneaked a peek at the badminton courts. Mrs Tan noticed a skilful player, who is left-handed, immersed in a game at the court. As Yvonne is left-handed too, she took the chance to approach and ask him to be her daughter's coach.
The player, Mr Donald Koh, agreed and after realising Yvonne's potential, encouraged her to enter the JSA programme, in which he was also involved.
Yvonne receiving instructions from her head coach, Mr Hamid Khan.
Developed with pupils such as Yvonne in mind, the JSA is a programme that identifies good players in primary schools that may not boast strong sports teams, giving them a platform to showcase their talents on the interschool competition circuit. To polish these rough diamonds, MOE has opened four Junior Sports Academies in 2008 that provide systematic training to help gifted young athletes develop their prowess and reach their full potential.
Yvonne, who trains at the badminton JSA at Henry Park Primary School, is one of 260 young sportsmen who are making strides in the programme. In 2009, the opening of eight new JSAs has given another 200 pupils a chance to scale new heights in their sporting abilities.
The ball's in her court
Yvonne's rise may have been meteoric, but it was the result of sheer hard work and effective time management on her part.
"In the evening after school, I either go for the Singapore Badminton Association training, which is twice a week, or the JSA training, which is up to three times a week," she describes her rigorous daily routine. Beaming through shining beads of perspiration after a bout of training, Yvonne continued, "Usually training will end at about 9pm. When I get home, I will study until half past eleven."
Faithfully doing her drills, Yvonne improves from strength to strength under the MOE Junior Sports Academies Programme.
Yvonne is sanguine about this packed schedule that leaves little time for other activities. She exclaims chirpily, "I am happiest after training sessions because I have learnt a lot from my coaches. Last year in December we even had the opportunity to go to China for training with the Xiamen Sports School." Despite her young age, Yvonne is clear about her current priorities. "50% of my life is spent studying and the other 50% is spent on badminton."
Mr Hamid Khan, Yvonne's head coach, affirms her dedication to the sport. "She seldom misses training and she will give her all in doing what she is instructed." He chuckled as he recalled his impression of Yvonne when she joined the JSA.
"When she first came in, I was astounded. She had weak stamina, no leg strength and no power in the hands! I asked myself if this was supposed to be the best in the West Zone!" Over time, it became clear that Yvonne had abundant raw talent that simply needed a little polishing, and she shone under the guidance of her JSA coaches.
Yvonne is now aiming high. "I would like to become a national player like Jiang Yan Mei," she said shyly. Given her smashing work ethic coupled with strong support from her parents, her coaches and the opportunity to train under the JSA programme, she may yet move on from serving on the school courts to representing her nation in the future.