92 Athletes To Benefit From Enhanced High Performance Sports System

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. "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,"

7. 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.

8. 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