Singapore Schools Sports Council

49 years in Retrospect...

1959

Formation of the Singapore Combined Schools Sports Councils (Lebaga Sukan Sekolah- Sekolah Menengah Singapura). Mr Joseph David, the Specialist Inspector, PE Section, Ministry of Education who was later made Deputy Director ECA was the Councils’ first adviser. The Councils were run by the Management Committee. There were 5 District Councils for the secondary schools: Bt Timah, City, Katong, Pasir Panjang and Serangoon. The subscription then was a levy of 15 cents per pupil. For the primary schools, there were 8 District Councils: Bt Timah, City, Geylang McNair, Newtown, Radin Mas, Tk Kurau and Upper Serangoon. By 1968, the SSSC was organising inter-school championships for 15 sports and the SPSSC 10 sports.

Original Lists of Games:

1969

Forty-four students were selected to represent the republic in the 5th SEAP Games held in Rangoon from 6th to 13th December. Inter – School Softball and Six/Seven-A-Side Hockey Festival was introduced.

1970

Opening of the ECA Centre by Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister of Education. Seven students represented Singapore in the 6th Asian Games in Bangkok from 9th to 20th December.

1971

The Combined Schools Sports Council became as the Singapore Schools Sports Council (SSSC). The Council hosted the 2nd Asian Schools Football Championships for Under 15 and Under 18 from 24th to 31st July. Matches were held at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Cricket, Netball and Road Relay were taken off from the Council’s games calendar. Thirty- three students represented Singapore at the 6th SEAP Games held in Kuala Lumpur from 10th to 18th December.

1972

After several years of postponement, the Council launched its first Colours Award presentation in May, where sixty – four students were honoured. Subscription to the Council increased to 20 cents per student. Hosted and organised the 1st ASIAN Schools Basketball Championships for boys and girls from 24h to 29th July. Singapore Combined Schools team emerged joint champions with Thailand at the 3rd Asian Schools Football Championships held in Thailand.

1973

The Council organised a mammoth Walkathon on 27th Jan at the MacRitchie Reservoir. A total of $80.000 was raised. Singapore’s hosting of the 7th SEAP Games from 1s to 8th September gave the opportunity for a total of 39 athletes to represent the Republic.

1974

Subscription to the Council increased to a levy of 30 cents per student. The number of Districts for the SPSSC was increased from eight to ten District Councils. Two students represented Singapore at the 10th Commonwealth Games in New Zealand in January, and six represented the Republic at the 7th ASIAN Games held in Teheran from 1st to 16th September. The Council hosted the ASIAN Schools International Swimming Meet on 22nd and 23rd August at the Toa Payoh Swimming Pool, 5 countries participated.

1975

The SNOC bestowed the Best Team Award to 3 swimmers, Ms Yeo Su Min, Ms Justina Tseng and Ms Elaine Sng who were members of the 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team.

1976

Subscription to the Council increased to 50 cents per student. Introduction of Sea Sports in the SSSC games calendar. SSSC hosted the 7th Asian Schools Football Championships from 26th July to 5th August. Nine countries including Singapore took part. Singapore emerged overall 3rd.

1977

Introduction of Air Rifle in the SSSC games calendar. Twenty-four of our combined school athletes represented Singapore at the 9th Sea Games held in Kuala Lumpur from 19th to 26th November – swimming (11), table tennis (4), athletes (7) and volleyball (2).

1978

The Council hosted the 1st ASEAN Schools Badminton Championships from 5th – 7th September, participated by 4 countries including Singapore. Sea sports was split up to form Yachting and Canoeing under the same convenorship. Our Combined Schools swimmers Marc Tay and Junie Sng received the SSSC Sportsboy and Sportsgirl Award respectively.

1979

The 5 District Councils were restructured to form the SSSC 4 Zone Councils – North, South, East and West Zones. However for the SPSSC, the 10 Districts were increased further to 12. The Council hosted the 3rd ASEAN Schools Track & Field Championships from 18th to 25th July. Five countries including Singapore took part. Twenty- six students represented Singapore at he 10th SEA Games in Jakarta from 21st to 30th September – basketball (1), gymnastics (6), judo (1), table tennis (3), swimming (11) and track & field(4). Merger of the SSSC Districts into 4 Zone Councils.

1980

The Council hosted the 1s ASEAN Schools Basketball Championships from 21st to 25th July. Five Countries including Singapore took part. Two swimmers Khoo Teng Cheong (ACS) and Junie Sng (CHIJ) received the SSC’s Sportsboy and Sportsgirl Awards respectively.

1981

A new age-group classification was adopted:

Under 14 yrs on 1st Jan

Under 16 yrs on 1st Jan

Under 18 yrs on 1st Jan

Under 20 yrs on 1st Jan

Netball was also re-introduced together with the inclusion of Squash to the games calendar. The Council hosted the 1st ASEAN Schools Gymnastics Championships from 4th to 6th August. Five countries including Singapore took part. Swimmers Oon Jin Teik (ACJC) and Mavis Ee (SJC) received the SSC’s Sportsboy and Sportsgirl Awards respectively.

1982

The 12 Districts Councils for the SPSSC were restructured to form just 8 Districts. Classifications of age-grouping for SSSC was restructured:

A Division – 17 yrs and under 20 yrs on 1st Jan

B Division – 14 yrs and under 17 yrs on 1st Jan

C Division – Under 14 yrs on 1st Jan

The Council embarked on the Physical Fitness and Swimming Awards schemes, which were inaugurated by Dr Tay Eng Soon, Minister of State for Education. Tay Khoo Hean (ACJC) and Mavis Ee (SJC) received the SSC’s Sportsboy and Sportsgirl Awards respectively.

1984

The Councils celebrated its 25th Anniversary. A fund-raising walkathon was organised which raised more than one-million dollars. The 25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner was held on 6th July at the Mandarin Hotel. Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Minister without Portfolio, and Mrs Ong were guests of honour. 87 principals, sports secretaries and coaches were presented the 25th anniversary Awards for their contributions to the Councils. The Council hosted the 2nd ASEAN Schools Table Tennis Championships from 26th to 31st August. Four countries including Singapore took part. Singapore Schools participated for the first time in the Pacific School Games in Victoria, Australia.

1985

The Council hosted the 9th ASEAN Schools Track & Field Championships from 20th to 22nd August. Six countries including Singapore took part.

1986

The Council hosted the 5th ASEAN Schools Badminton Championships from 10th to 14th December with five participating countries including Singapore. The Council also hosted the inaugural Singapore-Western Australia Little Athletics Association (WALAA) meet on 21st and 22nd September.

1987

Eight of our school athletes represented Singapore in the 14h SEA Games held in Jakarta from 7th to 21st September – track & field(5) and gymnastics (3).

1988

The Council hosted the 12th ASEAN Schools Track & Field Championships from 15th to 17th August – participated by six countries including Singapore.

1989

The Council held its 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at the Shangri-la Hotel on Saturday 20th May. Dr Tony Tan, Minister for Education was the guest of honour. 173 principals and sports secretaries received the 30th Anniversary awards for their contributions o the Councils. The subscription levy to the Council was increased from 50 cents to $1.00 per student. The Council hosted the 18th ASIAN Schools Football Championships from 14th to 24th August – participated by 11 countries including Singapore. Singapore Schools participated in the Pacific School Games held in Sydney from 1st to 10th December. Desmond Koh (ACS) received the SSC Sportsboy Award for swimming and Lina Ong (VJC) received the SSC Sportsgirl Award for squash.

1990

The Council hosted the 5th ASEAN Schools Tennis Championships from 18th to 22nd June. Five countries including Singapore took part.

1991

Mr Ong Lye Huat took over as Deputy – Director CCA and Adviser to the Councils when Mr Joe David retired (after serving more than 30 years as Adviser to the Councils). The Council hosted the ASEAN Schools Sepak Takraw Championships from 10th to 13th June. Four countries including Singapore participated in the event. Our students represented Singapore at the 16th SEA Games in Manila from 25h November to 5th December, basketball (1), gymnastics (3), judo (3), volleyball (1) and yachting (2).

1992

The annual subscription levy to the Council was increased from $1.00 to $2.00 per student. In support of the National Healthy Lifestyle campaign, the Councils very successfully organised the “Schools Mass Jog 92” as part of the Singapore Youth Festival on 12th July. About 50,000 students, teachers, principals and MOE officials participated in the event. The Sports Excellence Assistance Programme for Schools (SEAPS) Scheme was launched and SSSC was to administer the scheme on behalf of the Singapore Sports Council. Our combined schools athletes participated in the 4th Pacific School Games in Darwin, Northern Australia from 4th to 13th April. The Council hosted the 1st ASEAN Schools Swimming Championships from 2nd to 8th August. Five countries including Singapore took part. The Council also hosted the 25th ASEAN Schools Sports Council Technical & Physical Fitness Meeting from 15th to 17th September. The first triangular WALAA/MSSM/SSSC athletic meet was held in Kuala Lumpur. Singapore and Malaysia had agreed to host the meet alternately every year. Ng Xuan Hui (SNG) received the SSC’s Sportsgirl Award 1991 for Yachting.

1993

The Council hosted the 28th ASEAN Schools Sports Council Technical & Physical Fitness Meeting from 19th to 21st September. Ng Xuan Hui (SNG) and Tan Wearn Haw (VS) received the SSC’s Sportsgirl and Sportsboy Awards 1992 respectively for Yachting. Our students represented Singapore at the 17th SEA Games in Singapore from 12th to 20th June – badminton (1), basketball(3), gymnastics (7), judo(2), soccer(3), softball(2), tennis(3), volleyball(1) and yachting(4).

1994

The Councils’ 35th Anniversary Celebration Dinner was held on Friday 27 May at the Mandarin Hotel. The guest of honour was Mr Lee Yock Suan, Minister for Education. Service Awards were presented to 78 principals and 105 teachers in recognition of their contributions and dedicated service to the Councils. SSSC hosted the 18th ASEAN Schools Track & Field Championships from 1st to 7th August. Five countries including Singapore participated in the championships. Tracey Tan (SJC) and Koh Mun Yew Gerald (ACSI) received the SSC Sportsgirl and Sportsboy Awards 1993 for yachting and swimming respectively.

1995

The Council hosted the 6th ASEAN Schools Volleyball Championships from 12th to 18th August. Five member countries of ASEAN participated in the championships. SSSC also hosted the 32nd ASEAN Schools Sports Council Technical & Physical Fitness Meeting from 11th to 14th August. Jocelyn Yeo (MGS) and Koh Mun Yew Gerald (ACSI) received the SSC Sportsgirl and Sportsboy Awards 1994 respectively for swimming.

1996

The Council hosted the 1st ASIAN Schools Volleyball Championship for girls from 10th to 19th August with 11 member countries taking part. The Council also hosted the 4th ASSF General Assembly Meeting from 10th to 14th August in conjunction with the ASSF Volleyball Championships. Ten student athletes represented Singapore Schools at the 5th Pacific School Games in Perth from 5th to 14th December. Tenpin Bowling was officially included in the SSSC games calendar.

1997

ECAC, which provided the machinery and venues for the Councils’ activities and meetings moved from

1998

With the participation by more than 50 schools and with the strong support from Singapore Cricket Association, Cricket was re-introduced to the SSSC games calendar. The Council took over the administration of the ASSC Secretariat with the appointment of our Parl Sec Mr Mohd Maidin as its President for the next 2 years. In conjunction with organizing the 35th ASSC Technical & Physical Fitness Committee Meeting, SSSC also hosted the 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner of the ASEAN Schools Sports Council at the Orchard Hotel on Tuesday 1s December. Pioneer members of the ASSC together with serving members from the seven ASEAN countries attended the dinner. The guest of honour was Mr Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for Education. Eighteen students from our schools represented Singapore at the 13th ASIAN Games in Bangkok in December.

1999

Introduction of Rhythmic Gymnastics as a new event in the Inter-Schools Gymnastics Championships. Two RSG coaches from the Peoples’ Republic of China were engaged by the Council to promote this new activity in 6 secondary schools with the establishment of the Centre of Excellence at the ECA Centre (

2000

At the Councils’ 42nd Annual General Meeting, the term ECA was officially changed to CCA to drive home the message hat co-curricular activities and sports are integral to the total education of our pupils. The eight districts of the SPSSC were amalgamated into four zones. The Council hosted the 14th ASEAN Schools Sepak Takraw Championships from 12th to 19th August. Six member countries of the ASSC participated in the event. Singapore Combined Schools was represented by 22 athletes in artistic gymnastics, swimming and track & field at the 6th Pacific School Games in Sydney from 28th April to 8th May. Administration of the SEAPS Award by the Council ceased. SSC decided that the NSAs should be made to be responsible for the promotion and development of youth programmes and sports excellence.

2001

The Councils Constitutions were amended to increase the annual subscription levy from $2.00 to $3.00 per student for SSSC and from 50 cents to $1.50 for SPSSC. Christel Bouvron (ACJC) received the SSC Sportsgirl of the Year Award 2000 for swimming. The Council hosted and organised the 1st ASIAN Schools Swimming Championships from 11th to 18th August. It was participated by 12 member countries. The CCA Branch moved from

2002

Golf became recognised as a CCA and was officially included in the list of games to be completed at the Inter-Schools Championships. Tenpin Bowling and Golf were also included into the SPSSC games calendar. The Singapore Sports School became a member of the Council. The Council hosted and successfully organised the 30th ASIAN Schools Football Championships from 15th to 26th August. Ten countries participated in the championships. The Biennial ASSF Management Committee Meeting was also convened in conjunction with the championships. Teo Wee Chin (RI) was awarded SSC Sportsboy of the Year 2001 for Sailing.

2003

President S R Nathan donated 2 trophies for the President’s Cup 'A’ and ‘B’ Divisions Soccer Championships. In partnership with the FAS, a new format of competition was organised for the Soccer ‘C’ Division Inter-School Championships. Formation of the Sports Development Committees at the four Zone Councils. In collaboration with the CCA Branch, the Councils successfully organised a CCA Conference 2003 at the Suntec City on Tuesday 2 September. Acting Ministry for Education Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam officiated the Opening Ceremony. The Conference was attended by more than 1000 education officers including principals. The Council hosted and organised the 1st ASEAN Schools Netball Championships which was participated by four countries. Netball coaching and umpiring workshops were also organised in conjunction with the championships. Valerie Teo Hui Ying (RJC) was awarded the SSC Sportsgirl of the Year 2002 for Tenpin Bowling. Forty-four students from our schools represented Singapore at the 22nd SEA Games in Vietnam from 5th to 13th December. They contributed 5 Golds, 14 Silvers and 18 Bronzes to Singapore’s medal tally.

2004

The Councils will be celebrating its 45th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner to be held at the Island Ballroom, Shangri-la Hotel on Tuesday 1 June. Acting Ministry for Education Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mrs Shanmugaratnam will be the guests of honour. 228 principals and teachers will be receiving the Councils’ 45h Anniversary Service Award for their dedicated service and contributions to the Councils. SSSC will be hosted and organising the 11th ASEAN Schools Gymnastics Championships from 14th to 21st August.

2005

Mr Ong Lye Huat retires as Deputy – Director CCA and Adviser to the Councils. SSSC hosted and organised the 29th ASEAN Schools Track and Field Championships from 24th to 30th July 2005. SSSC takes the bold step of outsourcing the running of the competition portion of National Schools Track and Field Championships as well as the ASEAN Schools Track and Field Championships. Singapore Schools participated at the 2005 Pacific School Games in Melbourne and the 1st ASEM Youth Games in Bangkok.

2006

Mr Andrew Chew Hui Keong is appointed as Deputy – Director CCA and Adviser to the Councils. SSSC hosted and organised the 5th ASEAN Schools Golf Championships from 18th to 25th June 2006. The Councils held a retreat to envision the future of school sports in Singapore on 4th May 2006 at Seletar Country Club.

2007

SSSC hosted and organised the 3rd ASIAN Schools Volleyball Championships from 12th to 22nd August 2007 and the 3rd ASEAN Schools Netball Championships from 16th to 22nd August 2007. Floorball was officially included in the SSSC games calendar with a modus operandi whereby SSSC sanctioned the NSA to organise the championships.