“It’s mind over matter.” – an interview with the Unity basketball team (Part 3)

By Lai Jun Wei.

The Unity Secondary basketball team was started in 2000 under the eyes of then principal Mr N. Satianathan. Since then, it has evolved into a formidable team at both the zonal and national levels.

This year, the C Division Girls team overcame all odds to emerge champions in the C Division Girls National Basketball Championship. Like many other teams, Unity comprises of people from different backgrounds that came together to work towards their common goal – to become champions.

Life outside of basketball?

For many of the players, life revolves around basketball. In their free time, Diane and Elsa would still continue to play basketball. The rest of the players would also do their part to strengthen themselves. Hui Ting for one would be jogging at the stadium while Riana and Jessie would be doing some physical training such as doing sit-ups at home.

But of course, like normal teenagers, they do have a life out of basketball. When not training, Siti and Li Jun would find themselves going out with friends.

Pamela on the other hand shared about how she would go singing with her friends. On top of that, she would sometimes play the guitar or the drums. “I used to learn the guitar and how to play the drums. But due to school work and basketball, I stopped learning. But I still continue playing them as I love music.”

Like Pamela, Hui Ting would also drum when she has the chance. Pearlyn on the other hand would play the piano at home.

As with all students studying in Singapore, every one of them is also often caught up with revision and their studies. Jessie would study after training and during the weekends. Pamela, (when not singing :-P) would still push on to finish her school work even though she finds herself exhausted after trainings.

Li Jun’s more regimented way of balancing school work, social life and basketball was more interesting. “Monday, Wednesday, Friday – training. Tuesday, Thursday – relax and revise. Weekends – probably hang out with friends if I have the time.” Just some of the sacrifices they have to make to ensure good grades!

Hopes and goals

In order to accommodate the Asian Youth Games in 2009, the C Division season will be pushed forward to span Term 2 and 3, cutting down precious training time for the players. The B Division season will take place in Term 1 and 2, which means that the players only have about four months before competing again.

Janice, who will turn 14 next year has high hopes for the team. “I hope we can maintain the C division title next year. Our team will be strong.”

Riana, though only in Secondary One certainly had her sights set far. “I hope that we can retain the C Division title, and also hold on to the B Division title (should we win) for the next three years!”

Diane and Jessie were simpler in their goals for themselves and the team. “We hope to play well for next year’s C Division,” said the both of them.

For those progressing into the B Division, they would be facing tougher opposition and see the game standard raised to a higher level. “I hope that next year’s B Division team will become champions,” said Ramona. “I also hope that I will have better chemistry with my team mates and be able to play well next year. I feel excited, worried and scared all at the same time. B division is going to be tougher to play in. It will be more challenging so it would not be so easy to proceed on to the next round. But I hope we can still do well.”

Siti had similar sentiments. “I’m a bit nervous because I’ll only be secondary three by then. I’ll be playing with bigger, taller and tougher girls. I really hope to train hard and just play well.”

Siti best summed up everything with her inspirational advice. “It’s mind over matter. If you can overcome the negative thoughts and think positively, you’ll succeed. Focus on each game. Don’t let your thoughts go wild and don’t think of ‘What if I accidentally…’ or ‘What if I don’t…’. Focus on doing the right thing in every game.”

Related stories:
Interview with the Unity basketball team Part 1: “Trainings are tough, but they are fun too!”
Interview with the Unity basketball team Part 2 – “I wished that the game would end soon…”
Ramona Wong – C Girls Basketball MVP