92 Athletes To Benefit From Enhanced High Performance Sports System

24 SEP 2013

92 Athletes To Benefit From Enhanced High Performance Sports System

Singapore, 24 September 2013 - The High Performance Sports (HPS) Steering Committee awarded 61^ athletes across 14 sports at the inaugural Sports Excellence Scholarship (spexScholarship) today. In addition, 26 athletes from nine sports who have demonstrated potential to progress to the level of a spexScholar in the future have been identified for targeted support.

  1. The spexScholarship was announced earlier in March to provide enhanced support for highly talented Singaporean athletes with demonstrated potential for international sporting achievements. It will also increase the level of the support given through the existing HPS System.

  2. In all, the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) received 218 nominations across 28 sports by the end of April 2013, of which 152 athletes from 20 sports were shortlisted for interviews. Following the interviews, the HPS Selection & Performance Sub-Committee and the HPS Steering Committee reviewed the shortlisted candidates and confirmed the list of spexScholars.

  3. The SSI is in the process of working out training programmes with the respective spexScholars and their NSAs and will be starting off these programmes progressively over the next three to four months.

  1. Mr Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Chairman of the HPS Steering Committee, said: “The spexScholarship will provide the selected Team Singapore athletes with an enhanced level of support to enable them to fully realise their aspirations and their competitive potential. With the introduction of the spexScholarship, we hope to see more Singaporean athletes focus on the fulltime pursuit of sport excellence.

  2. “Beyond this group of spexScholars, we have also identified another group of athletes who have shown potential to be a spexScholar but are not at that level yet. We will provide them with additional support, and we hope that they will be able to advance to the level of a spexScholar within a year or two,”

  3. These 26 athletes from nine sports will be given targeted support such as overseas training camps, competitions and equipment to enable them to maximise their potential. At the same time, they will continue to be eligible, just like all other athletes in the carding system, to the spexGrants support provided by the SSI.

  4. Nominations for the second intake of spexScholars will take place in April 2014.

^ The updated athlete numbers reflect the five athletes who did not accept the spexScholarship offers in 2013.

Annex A: Sports Excellence Scholars (spexScholars) 2013

  • Badminton
    Danny Bawa Chrisnanta
    Neo Yu Yan Vanessa
    Liang Xiaoyu
  • Bowling
    Tan Shi Hua Jazreel
    Ng Lin Zhi Shayna
    Tan Shi Hua Cherie
    Tan Shi Jing Daphne
    Lim Hui Ying Bernice
    Muhammad Jaris Goh Bin Ali Akbar Goh
    New Hui Fen
  • Canoeing
    Lee Wei Ling Geraldine
    Suzanne Seah
    Chen Jiemei Sarah
    Chen Jiexian Stephenie
    Ng Xiang Ru Annabelle
  • Cuesports
    Peter Edward Gilchrist
  • Disability Sports
    Laurentia Tan Yen-Yi
    Nurulasyiqah Binte Mohammad Taha
    Mohamed Ismail Bin Hussain
    Tan Chern Maximillian
    Gemma Rose Foo Jen
    Yong Phen Chong Thomas
    Toh Sze Ning
  • Fencing
    Lee Huimin Ann
    Wong Ye Han Cheryl
    Lim Ian Joshua
    Lim Wei Wen
    Khoo Zile Willie
    Wong Ye Ying Liane
  • Golf
    Woo Ke-Jun Jonathan
  • Gymnastics
    Tam Jing Ying Joey
    Lim Shu Min Nicolette
    Yeo Yan Charmaine
    Zeng Qiyan
    Lau Wei-Ning Ashly
    Dai Min Yi Janessa
    Michelle Teo Yin Zhi
  • Sailing
    Cheng Xinru Colin
    Yin Yueling Elizabeth
    Scott Glen Sydney
    Lim Min Kimberly
    Savannah Siew Kiah Hui
    Lo Jun Han Ryan
  • Shooting
    Ser Xiang Wei Jasmine
    Lim Yee Xien
    Yang Shuet Hwei
  • Silat
    Muhammad Shakir Bin Juanda
    Muhammad Iqbal Bin Abdul Rahman
    Muhammad Nur Alfian Bin Juma?en
  • Swimming
    Joseph Schooling
    Tao Li
    Lim Xiang Qi Amanda
    Danny Yeo Kai Quan
    Samantha Louisa Yeo Ginn
  • Table Tennis
    Feng Tian Wei
    Yu Meng Yu
    Gao Ning
    Yang Zi
    Zhan Jian
    Li Hu
  • Waterski
    Sasha Siew Hoon Christian

Annex B: Athletes with Future Potential for spexScholarship 2013

These athletes will be given targeted support such as overseas training camps, competitions and equipment to enable them to maximise their potential. They continue to be eligible for the spexGrants support provided by the SSI, like all the other athletes in the carding system.

  • Archery
    Tan Si Lie
    Ng Wei Qing Justin
  • Athletics
    Yeo Foo Ee Gary
    Kang Li Loong Calvin
  • Badminton
    Yeo Jia Min
  • Canoeing
    Teo Guang Yi Lucas
    Chua Lip Heng Clarence
    Muhammad Syaheenul Aiman Bin Nasiman
    Tay Zi Qiang
    Brandon Ooi Wei Cheng
    Benjamin Low Wei Fu
    Lee Wei Liang Bill
  • Disability Sports
    Tan Eng Kiong Benson
    Goh Rui Si Theresa
  • Football
    Hariss S/O Harun
    Mohamad Izwan Bin Mahbud
  • Sailing
    Bertha Han Jing
    Teo Yee Kang Ryan
    Koh Yi Kun
    Neo Jiun Jie Samuel
    Fathin Rasyiqah Bte Mohamed Firdaus
  • Swimming
    Lim Shu-En Lynette
    Ong Chui Bin Mylene
  • Table Tennis
    Zhou Yi Han
    Isabelle Li Siyun
    Lin Ye

Annex C: spexScholarship Fact Sheet

Sports Excellence Scholarship (spexScholarship)
The Sports Excellence Scholarship is a scheme under the High Performance Sports (HPS) System that provides an enhanced level of support for highly talented Singaporeans athletes with demonstrated prowess for international sporting achievements.

The scholarship will increase both the breadth and depth of the existing HPS System.

The increase in programme depth is achieved by supporting highly talented athletes along the entire pathway, from the point of talent identification at national sports level onwards and not only at the apex of the Sports Excellence pathway. Highly talented athletes from Youth Sports programmes can now continue their sports development through this scheme when they leave the School Sports system. The spexScholarship, therefore, provides continuity from School and Youth Sports to National representation in International Sports.

The spexScholarship will provide the following:

  1. Financial support
    • Monthly stipend to sustain full-time training at SEA Games and higher levels
    • Median annual stipend amounts are \(24,000 (SEA Games or equivalent), $60,000 (Asian Games or equivalent) and\)90,000 for (Olympic Games or equivalent)
    • Coaching
    • Training, competition and equipment
  2. Education support for student athletes: e.g.
    • Flexible education programme
    • Education service support (programme counseling, university applications)
    • Effective studentship (extra tutorial, goal setting etc)
  3. Career preparation for adult athletes: e.g.
    • Athlete-friendly employer networking
    • Career counseling
    • Internships and job attachments
    • Training e.g., interview skills, effective working habits, and personal grooming.
  4. Personal and life-skill development: e.g.
    • Time management
    • Communication skills
    • Financial and life planning
    • Conflict resolution

Total Cost of the spexScholarship:
The spexScholarship will cost about S$40 million over 5 years.

Selection Process
The main point of entry into the selection process is through nomination by the respective NSAs. Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) can also introduce candidates into the selection process through its own channel of identifying talented athletes for the scheme.

All candidates were shortlisted and selected through an interview by a selection panel. Candidates who were successful in this round were then forwarded to the HPS Selection & Performance Sub-Committee for support before they were floated to the HPS Steering Committee for final approval. Athletes who are not successful in the selection will continue to receive spexGrant support under the HPS pathway.

The key principles of selection are to select athletes with demonstrated potential for podium success, training commitment as well as good attitude & behaviour.

The candidates were assessed on the following:
a. Training Commitment:
Training volume profile (> 12 months) of the athlete will be benchmarked against the volume of a full-time training load i.e., 10 sessions / week or about 30hrs/week

b. Sports Performance:
Sports performance track record (>12 months) will be benchmarked against the standards of the medallists (Gold, Silver and Bronze) at the respective major Games. For example, an athlete at the Asian Games level will be benchmarked against the standards at the Asian Games or equivalent competition. The benchmark standards are derived from an international sports database that we subscribe to (Infostrada). The type of measurement we use for benchmarking will be unique to each sport (e.g., world ranking, positions over a series of competitions, timings, distance etc)

c. Attitude and Behaviour:
This will come in the form of character reference from Coaches / administrators / peers and, if necessary, independent character reference. Our Sport Psychologists will also be involved in the selection process and present during interviews.

d. Performance and Laboratory Tests:
Such tests will be conducted only when necessary and on a case-by-case basis. For example, aerobic capacity test to differentiate the potential between two endurance athletes; cognitive performance and motor skill tests for skill-based sports.

Programme Operation: Functional Sports Programme
Once the selection of the athletes is finalised, SSI will go into a formal partnership with the respective NSA to start a Functional Sport Programme (FSP) for each sport. The FSP will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the programme. All the FSP will come under the management of SSI and each FSP comprises the SSI High Performance Manager, Coaches, NSA representative, and Sports Science and Medicine Personnel.

Duration of Scholarships
The duration of the scholarship is tied to the Games-cycle (also Carding cycle) of the respective levels in the HPS pathway Levels 1 and 2: 4 years Levels 3 and 4: 2 years

All the contracts will be reviewed for renewal at the end of each game-cycle e.g., Olympic Games or SEA Games.

Obligations of the Scholar Athletes
Under the spexScholarship, the scholar athletes are expected to: Commit fully to the training programme Take personal responsibility to balance between academic / career, personal and sports development Fulfil the social outreach programme requirements Participate actively in the life-skill development programme Be a role model for the youths of Singapore

Annex D: Overview of High Performance Sports System

Annex E: High Performance Sports (HPS) Steering Committee

Chairman

  • Lawrence Wong
    Ag Minister for Culture, Community and Youth

Members

  • Teo Ser Luck
    Minister of State
    Ministry of Trade and Industry

  • Dr Ben Tan
    President, Singapore Sailing Federation

  • Deborah Tan
    Principal, Singapore Sports School

  • Edmond Pereira
    Executive Director
    Edmond Pereira Law Corporation

  • Hugh Lim
    Deputy Secretary
    Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

  • Dr Lam Pin Min
    President, Singapore Dragon Boat Association

  • Ng Ser Miang
    Vice President
    Singapore National Olympic Council

  • Richard Seow
    Singapore Sports Council

  • Tan Ju Seng
    President
    Singapore National Paralympic Council

  • Tan Soo Nan
    Chief Executive Officer
    Tote Board

High Performance Sports (HPS) Selection and Performance Sub-Committee

Chairman

  • Teo Ser Luck
    Minister of State for Trade and Industry

Members

  • Abdullah Tarmugi
    Former Minister and Speaker of Parliament
    Top School Sportsman

  • Annabel Pennefather
    Vice President, Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC)

  • Deborah Tan
    Principal, Singapore Sports School

  • Dr Patrick Goh
    Chairman, Anti-Doping Singapore Advisory Board
    Chairman, SEA RADO

  • A/Prof Teo Koh Sock Miang
    President, Special Olympics

  • Gary Pryke
    MD, Corporate & Finance, Drew & Napier
    Master Athlete, Runner and Ultra Distance Swimmer

  • Ho Ren Hua
    Executive Director and Country Head, China, Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd
    Top School Track & Field athlete
    Triathlete

  • C Kunalan
    Olympian
    Singapore Sporting Icon

  • Lim Teck Yin
    CEO, Singapore Sports Council

  • Tan Yen Yen
    Senior Vice-President, Oracle Application
    Triathlete and Advocate for Corporate Sports

For media enquiries, please contact:
Eric Ong
Manager, Media Relations
Singapore Sports Council
Tel: (65) 6500 5014
Email: eric_ong@ssc.gov.sg

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