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Schools in the east zone now have a Centre of Excellence (COE) for Sports to call their own. The centre at Anglican High School called the EZ COE (Sports), consists of an indoor stadium, two gymnasiums, and 10 badminton courts and other sporting facilities. It was officially opened by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education, on 18 Jan 2006.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam admiring the giant table tennis bat, one of the three symbolic items that he signed to mark the opening of EZ COE (Sports). These items were later placed in the Training and Resource Centre.
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“Sports excellence is not just for potential champions. We want to give all students the opportunity to participate in and enjoy sports and other physically rigorous activities,” said Mr Shanmugaratnam at the opening ceremony that was also graced by national sporting heroes like former sprinter Mr C. Kunalan, badminton players Mr Ronald Susilo, Mr Kendrick Lee and paddler Ms Jing Jun Hong.
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Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education, and Dr Boon, Principal of Anglican High, enjoying the welcome performance specially choreographed by the girls of the Modern Dance Club at CHIJ Katong Convent (Sec).
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As a school known for its national achievements in badminton, basketball and table tennis, Anglican High School was approached to be the first hosting site for a COE (Sports) in early 2005. The fact that the school was already equipped with numerous sporting facilities (see box for range of facilities) was another plus factor.
Commented Dr Zoe Boon Suan Loy, Principal of Anglican High School and Chairperson of the Steering Committee for EZ COE (Sports), “We did up the Training and Resource Centre, which is now equipped with high-tech sports analysis equipment like the force plate and timing gates for diagnostic and assessment purposes. We will also be setting up a virtual library for all schools in the east zone to find out more about the COE (Sports) programmes.”
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The signing of MOUs between the EZ COE (Sports) and the Singapore Badminton Association, Basketball Association of Singapore and Singapore Table Tennis Association.
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Going National
The event also saw the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) – between the EZ COE (Sports) and the Singapore Badminton Association, Basketball Association of Singapore and Singapore Table Tennis Association.
This symbiotic relationship can enhance the professional development of teachers and enrich students’ learning experiences. “We look forward to working closely with the Associations to share manpower and physical resources in organising activities and programmes,” explained Dr Boon.
Former national sprinter, Mr Kunalan, who was present at the event to talk about “Re-igniting your passion through sports” for teacher participants, said, “Having a Centre of Excellence can help schools maximise finances, facilities, equipment, and manpower so that a maximum number of students can participate in sports.”
Facilities in EZ COE (Sports)
| Table Tennis |
- 10 tables |
| Badminton |
- 10 courts |
| Basketball |
- 1 indoor court (which has a seating capacity of 800)
- 1 outdoor court |
| Street soccer |
- 1 court |
| Gymnasium |
- 2 (with full range of facilities) |
| Multi-purpose |
- 1 outdoor court (which can be used for Netball/Volleyball) |
| School field |
- 1 |
Training &
Resource Centre |
- Equipped with timing gates, force plate, silicon coach systems and reading materials |
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