Story by Dawn Yip/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.
Wong Hwee Liak, who coaches basketball at Anglican High, Zhonghua Secondary, Temasek Polytechnic and Nanyang Junior College, was one of the few coaches honoured at the awards ceremony. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
St Regis, Thursday, February 26, 2009 – They span a wide range of ages and sports, but the 25 winners of this year's POSB Everyday Champions Award for coaches all share one thing in common – extraordinary commitment to their athletes.
The awards were organised by the Singapore Sports Council, and the coach category recognises those who "perform beyond their expected roles and responsibilities. They are both mentor and friend in helping athletes attain their sporting best and achievements, both within and beyond the playing field."
One of the award winners was Wong Hwee Liak, who coaches basketball at Anglican High, Nanyang Junior College and Zhonghua Secondary School.
"He did a lot for us," explained Ng Bao Xian, a former Zhonghua basketballer who nominated Coach Wong for the award. "He makes training meaningful, he bonds the team together, he cares for us – even our studies and our well-being."
Bao Xian cites the example of a teammate who had run into financial difficulties and could not afford regular meals. "He took the initiative to buy food, and made sure she had enough to eat," said Bao Xian.
Mr Wong exemplifies a trait common among many of this year's winning coaches – a concern for the whole person. Into his eighth year as a coach, Mr Wong told Red Sports that sports performance does not rank as his first priority for his athletes. "The most important thing is to build character. And academics must come first," said Mr Wong. In fact, he has been known to suspend athletes from playing if they are not doing well scholastically.
Aside from caring for the whole person, a number of coaches were also lauded for using innovative methods to enhance performance, including extensive use of videos, consulting with more experienced coaches, and engaging athletes' parents. Yet other coaches took upon themselves unconventional roles like equipment repairmen, medics and drivers, all in the name of helping their athletes achieve their best.
Together, these award-winners show us the best of what coaches can be when they go above and beyond the call of duty.
Coach Wong shares a moment with regular Red Sports contributor Mr Ian Chew. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Ng Bao Xian (right), one of the nominators of Coach Wong, shares about the extraordinary things he does for his charges. (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Marion Bernard Williams, also a basketball coach, chats with Coach Wong. (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Standing above the rest, Marion Williams receives his award from President Nathan and Dr Balakrishnan. It does not matter to Marion if his players are asthmatic or lack confidence. To him, all his players get to play. Certainly a coach that cares. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Award Winners – Coaches
Chng Li Li, netball
Lai Han Seng, taekwondo
Leonard Lim, swimming
Leo Wen Yeow, wushu
Marion Bernard Williams, basketball
Loh Chan Pew, athletics
Tan Chew Peng, athletics
Quek Soon Tuck, wushu
Alex Tung Yew Meng, swimming
Wang Xiao Ke, table tennis
Wong Hwee Liak, basketball
Bobok Viacheslav, fencing
Peter Churchill, swimming
Steven Quek Chin Hwee, athletics
Alfred Sim Chee Hao, athletics
Jason Chen Zhi Kuan, dragon boat
Chua Sze Muay, wushu
Remy Gan Chwee Chuan, athletics
David Sivalingam s/o Vellasamy, football
David Er Poh Guan, swimming
Sallehuddin Bin Salleh, football
Joel Tay Yong Hwee, athletics
David Wong Han Keong, bowling
Valeri Obidko, athletics
Chu Seow Beng, athletics
what schl does Marion Bernard Williams coached?