Dump el numero 2 -
Was reading the local papers the other day about how a certain foreign football (soccer) player once again failed his 'beep' test for the 11th time and as a result might not be able to remain in Singapore, or might look for another club.
FYI, the S league - Singapore's only forray into professional sports so far, stipulates that all professional players in the league have to pass a beep test before they can play. The level they must pass is 12.10. So this foreign player has not been able to achieve that, and might move on. Good for him right? Lest we want overpaid foreign talent loafing around and not being fit right?
Well, there are several things here to consider - The player's age (36) and the feasiblity of really using the beep test as a compulsory benchmark.
The 'beep' test, for the un informed, is a test that measures the max oxygen intake a person is able to achieve, and his stamina. In formal sports science terms, the beep test is a tool to guage VO2max - Maximum volume of Oxygen. It consists of a 20m straight distance measured out. A athlete starts on one end. A recording of various beeps indicates when the athelete must leave his end, and rech the other end. The beeps get progressively faster and faster as the levels increase.
Anyways, as mentioned, the beep test is only meant to be a tool, a function of measuring stamina. In the early days of professional sport up to early 2005, the beep test was all the rage - every sport was doing it as a sole measure of athlete's stamina. Late in 2005 though, reserach found that the beep test was not meant to be the sole measure, rather it had to be fiting in with other tests.
What it does seem to me though, that with all sports innovations, Singapore has once again decided tocut and paste a system, without even thinking of the implication.
Here is my question to you S league - why are you doing the beep test? In addition to the beep, are you conducting other tests, such as vertical leap, and other strength tests? The beep is not a measure of stamina, in fact most sports have started to use the beep less and less in their testing functions.
What about a 3km run test instead? Measure your testing to the climate and to the demands of the sport in general. Think about it - the beep test for s league is conducted indoors for a controlled environment, which is a good thing. But, is soccer played indoors? How much sprinting does a soccer player do in a game, and relative to that, how much does he cover distance wise in a game?
I understand that a framework has to be put in place to prevent overpaid loafers on the field, but there must be a more relalistic and practical way of doing it, rather than subjecting these athletes to an outdated, and in this case seemingly mis used, form of testing.
One has to wonder what the sport science people at the SSC are advising, or are they even involoved in consultation?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Dump 1
Having a rather slow day in the office, so decided to do the usual 'dump'
Have been rather tied up, but just a few thoughts from the last couple of weeks to ponder, and as usual fume about.
Dump thought #1
Watched the Schools B rugby finals 2 Mondays ago. How times have changed, Raffles playing in the plate - 2 years running? A lot of educated men would say that in their day raffles was always in the finals and always winning it! The Cup final was between SAS and ACS (i). Alot at stake, SAS trying to rub dirt in the face of ACs by attempting to win a 4th straight final, and
ACS trying to show that they are still alive and kicking, and can still churn out champions.
Well, at the end of the day, ACS showed that they are still champions. A little bit overly dramatic if you ask me, but at the end of the day it looked like the yellow and blue guys had control and knew what to do in the game. The Saints on the other hand, while on paper had the exact same side that won the trophy 12 months ago seemed lost, indecisive and with their big playmaker lasting all 7 minutes, you had to wonder what the coaches and management were thinking.
Which, in a long winded manner, comes to my point – Why put in a player who can only play 7 minutes? Investigations found out that the player has not even played one whole game the entire season, but yet due to his past credentials, was put in the starting line up. Shades of Wayne Rooney and any other failed champion’s bid for glory, gambling on that ‘might have been’ star.
There lies the question though – for all coaches concerned. Just when is it not feasible to put an unhealthy/not full fit star into the team, in the hope that despite not being fit all season, he might shine for that crucial game? Is winning that important? In professional sports, it seems so, and for good reason. Winning on that stage means extra money and there are ways and means to ensure some form of performance through medication from the athlete. But at school level?
Have been rather tied up, but just a few thoughts from the last couple of weeks to ponder, and as usual fume about.
Dump thought #1
Watched the Schools B rugby finals 2 Mondays ago. How times have changed, Raffles playing in the plate - 2 years running? A lot of educated men would say that in their day raffles was always in the finals and always winning it! The Cup final was between SAS and ACS (i). Alot at stake, SAS trying to rub dirt in the face of ACs by attempting to win a 4th straight final, and
ACS trying to show that they are still alive and kicking, and can still churn out champions.
Well, at the end of the day, ACS showed that they are still champions. A little bit overly dramatic if you ask me, but at the end of the day it looked like the yellow and blue guys had control and knew what to do in the game. The Saints on the other hand, while on paper had the exact same side that won the trophy 12 months ago seemed lost, indecisive and with their big playmaker lasting all 7 minutes, you had to wonder what the coaches and management were thinking.
Which, in a long winded manner, comes to my point – Why put in a player who can only play 7 minutes? Investigations found out that the player has not even played one whole game the entire season, but yet due to his past credentials, was put in the starting line up. Shades of Wayne Rooney and any other failed champion’s bid for glory, gambling on that ‘might have been’ star.
There lies the question though – for all coaches concerned. Just when is it not feasible to put an unhealthy/not full fit star into the team, in the hope that despite not being fit all season, he might shine for that crucial game? Is winning that important? In professional sports, it seems so, and for good reason. Winning on that stage means extra money and there are ways and means to ensure some form of performance through medication from the athlete. But at school level?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Transplants don't always work
Are we pushing our young athletes too far?
The recent buzz in the media and within Singapore’s relatively small sporting community is over the proposed sports hub, and how that will seemingly spur our sporting performance and ‘create’ a sporting nation.
Much like everything else in Singapore, the relevant authorities seem to merely be doing the official ‘cut and paste’ job in creating something. Namely, taking in various successful approaches from overseas and transplanting it to our sunny island and proclaiming that we have ‘adapted’ them to fit our environment.
Well I am sorry wise government heads, but I have to disagree on that point. One can’t just create a sporting nation, or a sporting industry just by building steel and glass structures and be confident that everything else will sprout from there. A pre existing culture of sports has to be cultivated, from seed to sapling to deep rooted tree. I know that most of the trees and plants in our island nation are grown from fast growing saplings which need minimal maturing time, but unfortunately not all things can be transplanted and grown as well as our flora.
A sporting culture is one that is cultivated outside the need to gain CCA points, outside the need to win gold, outside the need of cash incentives. These are merely by products of having a sporting culture. What really motivates a sporting nation? Is it the drive to ‘bring glory to the land’ via the wins and accumulation of golds? That is merely a by product of having a true sporting culture. Having a nation of people that truly enjoy sports, and embrace the true passion of sports. When you have that, the excellence will come, and the gold medals will come in.
Take a look at Australia. In comparison to the other major sporting nations, they have a much smaller population based to call upon. And yet, in the last 10 years, we have seen the emergence of the ‘Aussies’ as championship contenders in a wide range or sports. Their soccer players are scattered around the world and are rated among the best, their basketball team is in the top 5, they have top rated tennis players, and not too long ago the ‘thropedo’ was causing havoc in pools across the globe. One might argue that they are not world champions in any particular sport. That is true. But look at this in another way – they have teams that are consistently in the top 5 across a wide array of sports.
Scan any open field in any town or city down under on a Saturday morning and there will be scores of children and adults alike participating in some form of team sport at any one time. Children start basic motor skill training at the tender age of 2. Everyone knows a little bit about sport. Everyone knows what it is, and the passion that goes along with it.
This is one of the problems here with the Singapore system, especially at the youth level. Sport is predominately organized and identified by the school colors one wears. From age 10 to 18 the athlete is solely focused on winning for his or her school. Not everyone is an elite athlete. PE lessons are now changing to focus on teaching ‘concept skills’. But what about mass participation? There is simply no resources to run 10 soccer teams a week, to cater to everyone who likes to play.
So how then is the next question?
The recent buzz in the media and within Singapore’s relatively small sporting community is over the proposed sports hub, and how that will seemingly spur our sporting performance and ‘create’ a sporting nation.
Much like everything else in Singapore, the relevant authorities seem to merely be doing the official ‘cut and paste’ job in creating something. Namely, taking in various successful approaches from overseas and transplanting it to our sunny island and proclaiming that we have ‘adapted’ them to fit our environment.
Well I am sorry wise government heads, but I have to disagree on that point. One can’t just create a sporting nation, or a sporting industry just by building steel and glass structures and be confident that everything else will sprout from there. A pre existing culture of sports has to be cultivated, from seed to sapling to deep rooted tree. I know that most of the trees and plants in our island nation are grown from fast growing saplings which need minimal maturing time, but unfortunately not all things can be transplanted and grown as well as our flora.
A sporting culture is one that is cultivated outside the need to gain CCA points, outside the need to win gold, outside the need of cash incentives. These are merely by products of having a sporting culture. What really motivates a sporting nation? Is it the drive to ‘bring glory to the land’ via the wins and accumulation of golds? That is merely a by product of having a true sporting culture. Having a nation of people that truly enjoy sports, and embrace the true passion of sports. When you have that, the excellence will come, and the gold medals will come in.
Take a look at Australia. In comparison to the other major sporting nations, they have a much smaller population based to call upon. And yet, in the last 10 years, we have seen the emergence of the ‘Aussies’ as championship contenders in a wide range or sports. Their soccer players are scattered around the world and are rated among the best, their basketball team is in the top 5, they have top rated tennis players, and not too long ago the ‘thropedo’ was causing havoc in pools across the globe. One might argue that they are not world champions in any particular sport. That is true. But look at this in another way – they have teams that are consistently in the top 5 across a wide array of sports.
Scan any open field in any town or city down under on a Saturday morning and there will be scores of children and adults alike participating in some form of team sport at any one time. Children start basic motor skill training at the tender age of 2. Everyone knows a little bit about sport. Everyone knows what it is, and the passion that goes along with it.
This is one of the problems here with the Singapore system, especially at the youth level. Sport is predominately organized and identified by the school colors one wears. From age 10 to 18 the athlete is solely focused on winning for his or her school. Not everyone is an elite athlete. PE lessons are now changing to focus on teaching ‘concept skills’. But what about mass participation? There is simply no resources to run 10 soccer teams a week, to cater to everyone who likes to play.
So how then is the next question?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sckoolboy 7s
Managed to catch the Singapore Cricket Club Schools and Colleges 7s tournament on the weekend, and it was a rather disappointing sight. It has been awhile since I have set foot at a school’s rugby event, but it must be said that the standard was not as I expected. The worse thing was to only have 5 schools participating in the colleges tournament – imagine that : Only 5 teams competing for the Sittawalla Trophy in 2007, compared to 20 odd participants in the early 90s.
The reason for this was something about exams, and having to place the tournament a week after its usual date due to field availability. Whatever the reason, the organizers should have a long hard look at how they run the tournament. Such a prestigious 7s tournament being reduced to an afterthought is such a shame.
The other shame of the day was to see ACS (I) play all their IB boys in the under 17 competition. For the uninitiated, ACS has converted to a through train system and now offers the international A level to its students. What this means is that you got 17 year olds playing in the under 17 competition as a legal team. This would be perfectly fine for ACS if those who played in the 7s have actually been representing the school at the under 17 level at the on going police cup. From what I hear, ACS did not put in their boys who are playing in the police cup for this year. Preferring to send in their 17 year old boys who will be playing in the Police Cup u20 competition later on in the year.
Some might say its ok, its about the team having the right resources to chose who they want for the tournament at hand, and being able to win it at the same time. I say where is your pride? Where is that sportsman spirit?
On the bright side, a few teams were extremely good. Pioneer Secondary school has a team of talented, natural athletes. Fast runners, agile sidesteps and great ball handling skills make this team one to watch. With some guidance , these guys will be great players in the future.
The Saints did not make the Finals, losing to UWC in the final due to some extremely questionable refereeing decisions. But refereeing decisions will always be questionable so lets put the ref aside. The saints looked extremely tired towards the end of the semi finals, and one has to ask if it was a result of a long tournament or a long season for them.
In the colleges tournament, UWC looked like a bunch of seasoned professionals, having the guidance of a national coach on their side did not hurt as well. SAJC lacked the personnel to carry them through, and looked extremely disjointed. ACJC won the tournament against UWC in the finals, with a bunch of unknowns. Who says that AC is dead?
When the sun set, I was burnt, but at least I had my fix of local schools rugby. It was a pity though that the SCC can organize a great men’s tournament , but seem to not give the schoolboys enough thought.
The reason for this was something about exams, and having to place the tournament a week after its usual date due to field availability. Whatever the reason, the organizers should have a long hard look at how they run the tournament. Such a prestigious 7s tournament being reduced to an afterthought is such a shame.
The other shame of the day was to see ACS (I) play all their IB boys in the under 17 competition. For the uninitiated, ACS has converted to a through train system and now offers the international A level to its students. What this means is that you got 17 year olds playing in the under 17 competition as a legal team. This would be perfectly fine for ACS if those who played in the 7s have actually been representing the school at the under 17 level at the on going police cup. From what I hear, ACS did not put in their boys who are playing in the police cup for this year. Preferring to send in their 17 year old boys who will be playing in the Police Cup u20 competition later on in the year.
Some might say its ok, its about the team having the right resources to chose who they want for the tournament at hand, and being able to win it at the same time. I say where is your pride? Where is that sportsman spirit?
On the bright side, a few teams were extremely good. Pioneer Secondary school has a team of talented, natural athletes. Fast runners, agile sidesteps and great ball handling skills make this team one to watch. With some guidance , these guys will be great players in the future.
The Saints did not make the Finals, losing to UWC in the final due to some extremely questionable refereeing decisions. But refereeing decisions will always be questionable so lets put the ref aside. The saints looked extremely tired towards the end of the semi finals, and one has to ask if it was a result of a long tournament or a long season for them.
In the colleges tournament, UWC looked like a bunch of seasoned professionals, having the guidance of a national coach on their side did not hurt as well. SAJC lacked the personnel to carry them through, and looked extremely disjointed. ACJC won the tournament against UWC in the finals, with a bunch of unknowns. Who says that AC is dead?
When the sun set, I was burnt, but at least I had my fix of local schools rugby. It was a pity though that the SCC can organize a great men’s tournament , but seem to not give the schoolboys enough thought.
An Intro!
I’ve finally done it! I’ve finally decided to set up a blog that will hopefully give more depths to local sports, and some of my views on how things are done overseas too. I’m just an avid sportsman who has spent substantial time working with athletes as a trainer, coach, and player. So sit back, put that ice bag on your sore shoulder and a charging we go!
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