JSA Singapore Badminton 2018

Boon Yee’s JSA Singapore has ended. This is the second sport from his Junior Sports Academy Selection.

I am eager to find out what two other sports he will be enjoying over the next two semesters.

We did mention Junior Sports Academy is like a Sports buffet for Yee.

Read about our JSA Flippa Ball (mini water polo) experience here.

JSA Badminton
JSA Badminton

Yee warming up with peers. Sparing with coach or peers,  Boon Yee aspires to be the next Lee Chong Wei 🙂

Warm up , play (technique), push up(strengthen), kids had to get in shape to play well.

Seeing him enjoying his Badminton, we know JSA has already enriched those kids who are sporty in nature.

 

Unlike Flippa Ball, parents were not allowed to view the kids in action (Tampines Primary School). I was only there for the first and last lesson.

A pity, as we parents would like to participate along the child’s progress. There was a certain disconnect when I could not see my kids leap, smash or spar with his peers.

Due to the larger number of students, most of them have to play doubles, and not one vs one. This might mean lesser attention from coaches to tune the kids’ moves.

We did challenged Boon Yee’s Badminton skills, and I know he has improved.

Besides JSA Badminton , kids have to pen their thoughts, quiz and some cross puzzles. They have a booklet to “chart” their progress and activities after each session.

There is a new development for JSA 2017/2018 cohort. Those who had already completed two sports and are shortlisted by coaches, get an opportunity to specialise.

 

The specialised path will roughly consist of more intensive and customised curriculum, under the same coaches. Training the kids with mindset of an athlete, perhaps someone with potential and aspiration would then be groomed for higher training.

In Boon Yee’s case, he was selected to extend his Flippa Ball passion.  If he is keen, his JSA programme will consist of only one semester of Badminton and three for Flippa Ball.

If we choose Flippa Ball, we would never know whether Boon Yee might prefer the last two sports, potentially Taekwondo and Fencing.

Upon further enquiry, MOE is offering specialised track earlier, because JSA Programme lasts from P4 till P6. There would not be enough time for kids to “specialised” after going through 4 sports.

A pity though. We joined JSA precisely because we wanted our child to get multiple sports exposure, now child and parent face dilemma to specialise or go through all four sports.

One day, I hope Junior Sports Academy (JSA) will be extended from P4 all the way to Sec 4. If Sports Singapore is serious about finding budding sports enthusiasts, extend the current 2 year JSA programme to six.

Let the child have more opportunity to play, learn and develop, hopefully we can cultivate more passion along the journey 🙂

 

 

Gif of Boon Yee smashing.

 

Whatever is Boon Yee’s selection, we will always support him.
You may read about our JSA selection blog post here.

Thank you JSA and MOE for all the sports opportunities 🙂

 

Read more about our JSA Singapore adventures :

-JSA Flippa Ball
-JSA Badminton
-JSA Taekwondo

Junior Sports Academy, Sports Buffet

Yee at his weekly Flippa Ball session.

 

Junior Sports Academy (JSA) is managed by MOE , and the target audience are kids who show an interest in sports, or exhibit better sports coordination.

What is JSA?

Think of JSA as Sports Buffet 🙂

As long as your kids love sports, does not matter any disciplines, be it Run, Swim, Taekwondo, Gymnastics, Fencing or even Table tennis. There are up to 19 sports on the menu!

JSA sports selection
JSA sports selection

There are selection trials every year and those who show more potential (and passion) in sports got a higher chance to be selected.

If you child is in P4 or P5 and love sports, give it a try. No3 Boon Yee is a perfect candidate as he loves the great outdoors and adventures 🙂

JSA curriculum and objectives

To quote from MOE website :
” Budding sporting talents will be identified and developed with a broad-based physical sports programme, to strengthen their overall physical competencies and motivation in sports at the primary school level.

These students will explore and discover their strength and passion in a range of sports at the primary school level, and subsequently make an informed choice to commit to one of them with more targeted support from schools and relevant sports organisations at the secondary school level and beyond.

Interestingly, a child should NOT pick a sport which he is comfortable with. Example no soccer or swimming if he is already in school team or attending weekly swim classes.

The idea is to pick a “new” sport and let the coach and instructors develop your potential, you have to pickup from basics again 🙂

If the child excel in his sports and wish to pursue it further, there are Sports School and other tracks to consider.

Our thoughts?

I always believe that Sports can help to mold a child’s character.

Sports is a good platform to build up his or her resilience, discipline, independence and sportsmanship.

I have never been active in sports but am now running more to inspire the little ones to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Checkout out our family sports here, Running, Hiking and Cycling.

The Mrs was a little bit hesitant about Junior Sports Academy programme initially, as selected candidates will need to commit to 4 x 12 weeks of training, one session per week.

Junior Sports Academy
Junior Sports Academy

We were worried that this might load the child with additional activities, but seeing how Yee enjoys his flippa-ball sessions, we are glad we signed him up for JSA 🙂

I wished I had as much opportunities (Sports buffet) from Junior Sports Academy in my youth!

Boon Yee’s Primary (and backup) sports selection for the first 48 weeks. If selected, he will immerse in that sports module for 12 weeks “internship”.

Who know, we might be seeing a budding Schooling or WaterPolo national member in our home one day :p

=== ===
-Fencing or shooting
-Badminton or Table Tennis
-FlippaBall or Basketball
-Taekwondo or Track & Field
=== ===

Besides popular Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball, there are less visible options like Sailing and Bowling too.

Best of all, kids and parents do not need to invest in any sports attire or kits (no need to buy rackets or soccer shoes), all will be on loan from JSA programme. JSA only need parents’ commitment to bring the kids to their class on time.

 

The coaches are hired by JSA programme to teach the kids.

JSA Flippa Ball

There are many ways to excel and thrive in today’s society. And sports is still an underrated sector with much potential.

The challenge would be how many parents are willing to let their child take up a sports career?  We will support our kids if their true compass is in sports. As long as they are enjoying their life and are happy, we shall be happy 🙂

Read more about our JSA adventures :

-JSA Flippa Ball
-JSA Badminton
-JSA Taekwondo

* Do read our friends’ review (Life’s Tiny Miracles), there are also super keen on JSA 🙂