TK SOCCER IN THE NEWS!

"Any publicity is good publicity - even if you can't understand what is written!" Duke

Stand up for the Champions; for the Champions, stand up!

More amazing pics from that unforgettable day ...

Sweet Dreams are Made of These ...

"Victory tastes all the sweeter because you have worked for it and you fully deserve it!" Duke

It has been twenty-four hours but it still hasn't quite sunk in yet.

Tanjong Katong Secondary School - League One CHAMPIONS!

The moment passed so quickly, I regret not savouring it fully. Yet certain images are engraved in my mind and burnt into my mind's eye.

The raucous celebration at the final whistle, the coming together of team-mates who have fought tooth and nail with one another and spilled blood, Faiz the captain hoisting the trophy up high, the hugs and the high fives.

Before the game, I had to struggle to hold back tears as I was simply just so proud of the boys.

Their journey included overcoming a huge injustice at Victoria School, broken dreams at the hands of St. Pats, the fall of the captain at Marsiling and then, so nearly, an unexpected capitulation at the feet of Naval Base.

Yet the boys possessed a vital quality that all champions possess - bouncebackability.

I cannot express how proud and joyous I feel as I look back on the boys' achievement. It was always theirs for the taking and this time, they dared to win ... they dared to seize what is now rightfully theirs.

It was always all about you, your gifts, your character, your show ... and now you have centre stage, on the podium, holding the trophy aloft.

You are the champions because, quite simply, you were the best team in the entire division.

Actually, for the coach and I, we have always known that.

It was a matter of all of you believing that too. And now you do.

You have re-written history and you have made a name for yourselves. I cannot be any more proud of each and every one of you.

I thank God for the sweet, sweet taste of success and I am so grateful.

Well done, boys.

Well done, CHAMPS!

First piece of silverware ... first of many ...

"Always good to win something ... winning is a good habit to develop." Duke

OK, so it's a bit of a Mickey Mouse cup but it's still a piece of silverware for the trophy cabinet! More than what West Spam and Hell City can say!

"And Modric's got West Ham dancing to his tune ..."

"It is not the size of the player in the fight; but the size of the fight in the player!" Duke

In my opinion, this picture clearly illustrates the joy of triumph and the agony of defeat. The excellent Tottenham player, Jermaine Defoe, wheels away in joyous celebration after scoring the only goal of the game, leaving the West Spam players, especially the whiner with his hands on his head, in fits of pain and despair. I believe that the goal is the perfect reward for Defoe's perseverance and endeavour as he has missed a few chances throughout the game but has refused to let his head drop. On the other hand, the West Spam player who is moaning about the goal should really grow up and get on with the game. Moaning does nothing to help the team. Come on, you Spurs!

How's that for a great picture discussion?

Soccer Camp 2009: Unforgettable ... that's what you are!

'Memories are made of these - times in the sun, on the run, having fun." Duke

Hello World, just got back from the Soccer Camp.

It was an unforgettable experience in so many ways - thank you, everyone!

Mr Wee - you are more than a colleague; you are a friend, brother, partner-in-crime and all-round blessing!

Keith, Paul, Shafiq, Shija - great job as captains!

Shen Hao, Han Jie - well done in helping out! Always fabulous to have the two of you around.

Faiz, Bryant, Zhi Xian, Ammar, Afiq, Rifqi, Joel, Hakim, Dylan, Darryl, Johnathon, Ryo, Mateen, Irsyad, Raihan, Brendon, Ryan, Gabriel, Wilson, Simranjeet, Daniel - great just having you around! And yes, even you, Hirzi! Sorry you had to leave halfway.

As I said, I hope you will take these closer bonds that you have forged onto the field and really work together for the success of the team.

Though I do not say it or show it enough, I am tremendously proud of the team and, in many ways, blessed to be a part of TK Soccer. Through the ups and downs, tears and smiles, there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

'C' Boys, let's take League One by storm!

'B' Boys, let's break the jinx of the first-round knock-out!

Enjoy the hilarious pics and vids of Mr Wee, Han Jie (Mr Prez), Paul (Iron Man) and I making a fool of ourselves on the high elements!

Lessons atop the Dunking Machine

"There is no shame in being dunked or dunking; better having dunked or been dunked than not at all ... seize the moment and capture the memory." Duke

After having participated in the recent Bazaar, and fully and wetly so, I have to say that it was indeed a memorable and meaningful experience.

Having come to school bleary-eyed after foolishly staying up to catch a shockingly one-sided Champion's League final, the anticipation that precedes an actual dunking and the dunking itself certainly got the adrenaline pumping and kept me buzzing the whole day. Although it got a little bit irritating after the ninth or tenth time of splashing into the water and having to crawl out again, it was definitely a fun and etched-in-the-brain-for-some-time-to-come (no such word) experience.

At the same time, it was not all mindless fun, although it certainly looked that way! The only reason I even agreed to go up there and await a wet fate was because I knew that my class and I would be contributing some money to charity. I needed to put my money where my mouth was and play my part after my students had done such a great job in raising funds to pay for the over-priced dunking machine and in attracting customers to our stall. The approximately $500 that we raised, we hope, would go a long way to help the less fortunate. GREAT JOB, 1F!

I also learnt two important lessons from the experience.

It was amazing how many participants actually only hit the target on their VERY LAST throw. It did not matter how many tries they were given, it really went to the wire for a large number of them. Just when I thought the threat had passed and the student had given up, "THUMP"! Right on the bull's eye ... followed by a loud "SPLASH"! I guess that really highlighted the importance of trying and not losing heart; of keeping on without getting discouraged; of going again even through failures. So, lesson number one - if at first you don't succeed, try and try again ... eventually, you WILL get it right.

Lesson number two - refuse to let others affect your concentration and focus. Part of what makes the dunking such a thrill is the person on the dunking board taunting and distracting the person about to make that throw. That was why I was making so much noise and continually taunting those who were about to launch the ball at the target. The amazing thing was that it all actually worked. Those who allowed the taunts to get to them and convince them that they would not succeed really didn't! Of course, on the flip side, those who refused to listen or be distracted were also those who invariably did hit the target. That emphasised the importance of keeping one's focus and concentration and to be able to shut out all the unimportant and distracting noise.

At the end of the day, though, all that mattered was that all those involved, in big or small ways(or even in dry or wet conditions), played a part in making some kind of difference. That, I suppose, was all that mattered.

SPLASH!