monday ruminations

My coaching with Temasek Poly started with a phone call from a friend who was then the student development officer. Hai Yen asked me whether I would like to try coaching the triathlon/biathlon team in TP.
I was thrilled with the idea but at the same time worried that I can’t do the job since I have no coaching experience even though I have been a youth pastor / youth worker for 8 years, national triathlete for 5 years and keenly interested in teaching values using sports.

I have not looked back since the first coaching session!
I had a ball working with entry-level athletes, mildly interested wannabe athletes, national caliber athletes, or simply students who want to try out new things that they never dream they could do.

With this coaching opportunity, I also went to coach a primary school and some adult clients in triathlon.
It was the beginning of a new chapter of my life in coaching.
I see my calling in pastoral and ministry work but my passion in coaching. It was more than coaching, it has become my new mission field where I ‘preach’ and ‘teach’ my ‘congregation’ not with words but with my life and action. Where I ‘preach’ the values of sports and healthy lifestyle, grew ‘leaders’, challenge dreamers to act on their dreams….
I would like to think that I impact lives.
Anyone can be better athlete with training, but not to be experience a change in his or her life and values.

I must thank all my students, athletes (my first batch who took the chance on me) and former SDOs and other staff of TP (hai yen, uncle Sam….), who became my friends and fellow journeymen for the trip.

I must thank my students who gave me joy and gratification when they tried and succeed; many came who can’t swim 50m, and not run more than 2.4km in their life but on their last year, they not just race but have a shot at podium.
Many who looked like coach potato or have body shape for more sedate stuff, running marathons and doing all the things that they never dreamt of.
And many more who made sports part of their life long after graduation.

I must thank my students who made me their friends, invited me to be part of their lives… at their graduations, birthdays, weddings…
Making me their mentors and confidents along the way.
Allowing me to give more than sporting advise.
All these fulfill my dream and calling in life.

I would like to thank all of you

Who became part of my life…
Coming to my parties and programs
Celebrating my birthdays, races and graduations.
Giving me memories that lasted longer than the pay cheque

All these were possible because I started coaching in TP 10 years ago.

(there were just too many people to thank and remember... i hope you know who you are...)