“… strong support from the schools has kept me going.” — netball coach Kok Mun Wai

By Chan Hui Mui/Red Sports

Mun Wai has been coaching since 1996 and has won a total of 37 school titles. Kok Mun Wai currently coaches Anglo Chinese Junior College, CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) and CHIJ (Kellock) Primary School. For the recent 2011 season, her ACJC team finished first, while CHIJ (TP) finished second and third in the C and B Division respectively. Her primary school team finished second in the South Zone.

In 2005, she won all four school netball titles on offer — boththe National Primary School Junior and Senior Division Championships, as well as the National B Division and A Division Championships.

Red Sports caught up with Mun Wai for her story.

Red Sports: Tell us about your netball background.
Mun Wai: I played for River Valley High and Hwa Chong Junior College and I joined Nike Netball Club. I also represented Singapore in the 1988 World Youth Netball Championship, the 1990 Asia Netball Championship and the 1991 World Netball Championship.

Red Sports: Why did you pick up coaching?
Mun Wai: I have always wished to find a job that is sports related. When the national coach then, Jude Fawcett, asked if I would like to take up coaching, I decided to give it a go.

Red Sports: Which was the first school/club that you coached?
Mun Wai: CHIJ (Kellock) Primary School

Red Sports: What is the most important thing that you look out for when you are selecting your players during trials?
Mun Wai: Athletic ability.

Red Sports: What are some of the values that you instill in your players during trainings?
Kok: Discipline, perseverance, fair play, respect and responsibility.

Red Sports: Can you share with us what is your training programme like?
Mun Wai: 25% of physical training, 20% of individual basic skill training, 15% of individual specialized training, 30% of set plays, full and half court plays, last 10% could be anything.

Red Sports: What does it take to be a successful netball team?
Mun Wai: There are several factors which include strong support from principals, teachers and parents, committed and dedicated players, good talent identification programme or strong feeder system to allow continuous supply of players. Certainly, it is important to have a structured and progressive training programme.

Red Sports: Can you share with us the title record of the schools that you have coached?
Mun Wai: ACJC — 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011
CHIJ Secondary B Division — 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009
CHIJ Secondary C Division — 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010
CHIJ Kellock Senior Division — 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009
CHIJ Kellock Junior Division — 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007

Red Sports: What has kept you going in coaching for the past years?
Mun Wai: Seeing players improve and able to apply what they have learnt to the games. Having players moving on to play for national age-group squads and strong support from the schools have kept me going. Not forgetting, the satisfaction and joy of seeing hard work pay off.

Red Sports: Do you have any particular player/team that you are most proud of? Why?
Mun Wai: Don’t think so, I am proud of all the teams and players that put in honest hard work, regardless of how hot the weather was, how much scolding they got and how tough trainings were.

Red Sports: Have you coached any of the national age-group teams?
Mun Wai: Yes, I coached the 17 and Under team in 2001 and was the assistant coach for 19 and Under in 2000. I would not say I would not take up any age-group coaching but it is not something that I am working towards as it is not in my plan at the moment.

Red Sports: What’s next for you?
Mun Wai: Continue with what I have been doing I guess.