Red Sports strongly believes in the power of sports to forge friendships. So when we received Ms Rachael Oremek's email, we knew we had to help in every way possible.
Rachael Oremek is English, and lived in Singapore from 1966 to 1969. The wife of a serviceman based in Singapore, her home was in Serangoon Gardens, and she captained a netball team called The Satellites at the Serangoon Garden Sports Club. The team consisted of servicemen’s wives from Seletar Air Force Base and the Marines from 3rd Commando Brigade at Nee Soon Barracks.
"At the time we didn't have any children so I played netball every chance I got and if I wasn't playing I would referee," wrote Ms Oremek, who is now 64 years old, and lives in Devon, England with her husband Glyn. She also recalled that there were a few other English teams that played at Serangoon Gardens Sports Club, among them the Chit Chats and the Crickets. In 1968, Rachael was asked by Daisy Tan, then-President of Netball Singapore, to put together an English netball team to play against the Singapore national team. "We played and we won by one goal," wrote Rachael.
"I met some lovely people that I would like to contact again and I have been trying for some years now without success," wrote Rachael.
So, Red Sports readers, let's help to make this happen! Please spread the word. If you know anyone or have any information that might link Rachael to her netball teammates of 1966-69, please email me at dawn@redsports.sg. Nothing would make us happier than for Rachael to find her friends again!
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for dropping by at our site. I hope someone you know connects with you through Red Sports. If you are coming by Singapore, feel free to contact us at les@redsports.sg.
Best Regards
Les
editor of Red Sports
I lived in Serangoon Gardens from 1969 to 1971 before moving to Chip Bee Estate before returning to the UK.
I played netball at Serangoon and I can’t remember if I was part of the Satellites or Chit Chats. Looking at the photographs a few people seem very familier, especially on the last one, the very tall blonde lady, her name was Jan ? I seem to remember a Margaret who was our team captain.
I need to dig out old photographs and I even have old super8 video of the team playing and someone presenting the team with trophies…..my daughter presented the ‘person’ with a bouquet!
We entered in the Pesta Sukan in 1970, but lost. However, I was presented with a badge and still have it to this day, along with my European International Netball League Trophy.
Back then I was known as Maureen Moore……. I wonder if anyone remmebers me? I wasn’t a terribly good netball player, but had a go!
i used to play for the chit chats from 1966-1967 my name was jackie millar i would love to find out what happen to the girls i played with very happy days ,i have got photos of the team
Hello Red Coach! Unfortunately, what you see is all there is. Rachael does not have any further details. The team was all expatriate and her guess is that most of them were British though some may well have migrated to Australia/New Zealand.
The former Serangoon Gardens Sports Club of which Rachael played for does not exist today. I am familiar with some of the history of both the Sports Club and Serangoon Gardens as a whole. It would be more helpful if she could provide the names of the people she is looking for. For starters,are they local or expatriate players ? If they were local players playing for other clubs in S’goon Gardens….then some may still be living in the same place today. Or some may be members of the Serangoon Gardens Country Club even today [ I’m a member]. Whatever the case may be…if names are provided with any details,I can help.
I’m Edith Taylor I played and captained the crickets at serangoon from 1965-1967 what a great time we had and when we had a meeting at daisy tans she had to make her bee hoon xxx
Hi Edie,
I’m Brenda Jeffery and I played netball with the Crickets when you were captain. I remember Jill, Mavis, Agnes but can’t recall any surnames. Some photos of a presentation night here
http://www.singas.co.uk/singas_gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pid=210#top_display_media
Hi just looked at your photos and yes i remember you all ,i remember Edie ,iam jackie the blonde in middle of photo of our party at june house ,she was my close friend ,sadly we lost touch ,i have the same photos ,i remember one of the girls breaking both arms.
thank you netball singapore 🙂
Hi everyone, here’s quick update: The people at Netball Singapore have been very helpful and have linked to this post on their website
http://www.netball.org.sg/
They’ll also be doing a check of their records to see if any information can be found. Thank you Netball Singapore!