By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
The Changi-Simei CSC netball team poses for a photo with their team manager. The team is made up of players of the four major races in Singapore. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
PESEB, Sunday, June 8, 2014 — With a good mix of members of different races, the Changi-Simei Community Sports Club (CSC) netball team epitomized racial integration at this year’s edition of the Community Games.
Most of the members have known and played together for at least five years in the sport.
“This is the first time that we are actually playing together this year,” said Nur Fazillah Bte Mohd Kamil, who has been with the Changi-Simei CSC netball team for 10 years. The team found it difficult to meet up to train together due to studies and work commitments.
“I still think it is quite okay. At least we get to come here to play once a year, and make new friends,” added the 31-year-old civil servant.
“Most of us are in our final year of studies, while some have gotten married, so commitment-wise, it has dropped drastically over the years,” said Muntaz Binte Zainuddin, captain of the Changi-Simei CSC netball team. The 28-year-old is currently working as a trainee lawyer. “I think the format for the Games this year is more fair, because that way, we don’t have to play the same teams over and over again.”
The team had their fair share of communication problems initially, but managed to find a way out of it. “We have only one Chinese among us, Jennifer, and some of us communicated in our Whatsapp group chat in Malay without realizing it, so I think it caused some problems for her,” said Muntaz. “But with more Indian members joining us, it helped solve the problem and we began using English to communicate more often.”
“I think being the only Chinese member is quite interesting. Put it this way, when I curse, they don’t understand me,” laughed Jennifer Kuan, who is the only Chinese member in the team. “Other than that, everyone’s very accommodating, and it’s all about the chemistry that we have with each other.”
The 31-year-old childcare education specialist added, “Besides, it was only through the Community Games that I got to meet my neighbours. I get to expand my social circle, and get to meet people who like the same game.”
“The good thing is that most of them are working adults, so they take a lot of initiative,” said Ser Bee Yee. The 41-year-old is the netball convener for Changi-Simei CSC.
Bee Yee added, “Most of the players such as Muntaz and Fazillah began playing for the CSC at a very young age, and as they bring in more friends along the years, things get better. The bonding began at a very young age.”
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