NJ Netball- another chapter closed

juz viewed njc website created by christin. really bring back the sweet bitter memories. as i viewed the page, i realise that another chapter in my life has ended.

we started out not knowing each other. we are strangers when we first met. in fact, we played against each other in our secondary school life. not knowing that some of us existed. not knowing that our path of life would crossed one day.

we arrived in nj, doubtful about our new teammates, new team, new life. wondering if they are going to be the same like our secondary school team. asking ourselves if we are able to adapt. we arrived in nj for many different reasons. despite our different backgrounds, reasons, personalities, purpose in life, we started a team. a team comprising of people with different characters, backgrounds, attitudes but with the same common goal- to be the best that we can be, to make it to the top 4. together, we formed a team that i'm sure will remain in our hearts for quite a long time. priceless friendships made during our short period of 2 years in nj will last a lifetime. this is what make netball fun. Friends.

the nj netball team of 2003 was memorable. i was reunited with a few of my tk seniors-rachel, xiang ying, xiang jun and yi qi. they are one of the factors that attracted me to nj. together with them and other seniors like ying xian, pam and others, plus my fellow year ones, we formed a team that won the 3rd in national schools competition. but that would not be possible without our hard work, commitment and dedication put into training. plus our spirit, heart and never say die attitude, wanting to win and play our best every game. helping each other get back on their feet everytime we fall. having fun with each other every time we were together. me and yi qi fooling around with everyone. pulling tricks on ying xian, kalp, and others. ying hui always being our 'mother' being very 'fierce' with us. and not forgeting our coach, mrs yeo. no matter what, she still is our coach and she does her part in helping us reach our goal.

then the seniors ended their commitment with netball, leaving us the year 1 to swim on our own. we didnt have the biggest pool of year 1s. with only 4 people, we were worried bout our team for 2004. we were also left without a coach to guide us. we were like little chicks being abandoned by their mother. hopeless, terrified, doubtful, lost, we managed to find our way out of the dark. we managed to get players and a new coach to help relive what the team of 2003 had accomplish.

nj netball 2004 at president challenge 

year 2004 started out with only 4 senior players. we managed to create a new team, a new beginning headed by a new coach, ms mary lee. with a high profile coach that had guide nj to the national title twice around 8 years ago accompanied by our achievement the previous year, we had high expectation to be met. a new team with new players with different backgronds, different characters, but each accepting and respecting each other for being who they are. a young team comprising of not only us, the seniors, but also the year 1s and the young IP girls. with them, a new team was born to conquer all the obstacles ahead, to meet the expectation set. together, we began our journey to meet our goal- to get top 4. we trained just as hard as last year. tried to do our best. some of us trying to adapt to ms lee ways of coaching. some of us felt pressurised by her, terrified by her. some playing positions that they never dreamt of playing. but nevertheless, we put in our best effort. played our hearts out. give everything we had. in the end, our road to top 4 ended. we crashed out in the 2nd round, missing out on the semi. we didnt get what we dearly wanted badly. first time i cried in front of many that day. it did hurt me quite badly that time but i guess time has healed the wound. looking back, i would say it has been an enriching year. though our expectation was lost, there are other things that develop with or without us knowing. our last game in the national schools was amazing. though we are sort of out or the competition, we gave our best for that game. really proud of you guys for bouncing back after our 2 consecutive defeats by hc and aj. having the courage to put everything aside and play your best.

guess this new team was quite different from the previous team. for me, its a big change from being one of the naughty ones last year to being a captain having the responsibility of leading this team. players are also different. this year we have the crappy enthu regina who is now taking over me, the high and enthu sangee who is actually quite fierce on court, promising youngsters like sam, weiling, joyce, and other year ones- hui yi, hui qi, kavi, maisha. seeing them grow and blossom is quite an enriching exprience. playing in the president's challenge the past weekend was my last time representing nj. it was fun. this team has taught me a lot. having to open myself up to you guys. talking more than just crap. for the first time in my life, having to talk during team talk. it was an opportuninty for me. and to know you guys, its amazing and a blessing. though we didnt get what we dearly wanted, the friendships that blossomed throughout this year were much more meaningful. watching you guys played during pesta sukan really made me proud of each one of you. fighting hard that day, playing as a team and encouraging each other. continue to work hard. and i'm sure under ms lee, you guys will develop to become better players. now its time for me to bid farewell to this incredible team as i end this memorable chapter in my life. playing for nj was an honor, fun and i'm proud to be in the same team as you guys this year. my final word to you guys is train hard, do your best, encourage each other and most importantly enjoy what you are doing- Have fun! Friends is what that makes netball wonderful and enjoyable. push each other through the hard times. to the newcomers, though i didnt know you all quite well, but glad that i have the little chance to know you. will be looking forward to see you all play next year.

and to my fellow year 2s, you all have been a wonderful part of my life. i'm glad our paths have crossed. maybe its a blessing in disguise that we only have 4 year 2s. we bonded quite well, playing in the same team for 2 years. going through all the ups and downs together. really enjoy every minute spent with you guys. have fun fooling around with you all. like the time yi qi and i took all of mel's and esther's things from your bags and hung them all over the toilet in kallang while both of you were bathing. giving stones and leaves as secret presents to kalp and stuffing them into your bag and let them poke out. taking your shoes and hanging them on the netball post and some other places. those are the fun times. sorry if it hurt you in any way while i was fooling around.

to mel, my dear vice capt, thanks for handling team stuff with me. and also handling things yourself when i sort of gave up and cant take it anymore.and always encouraging me no matter how demoralise i get with things. and lending me your notes because i nv go for lecture.

to kalp, my 'cow' teammate since sec 1, really glad to play along side with you. glad that you are in nj with me or i wouldnt have known you better. guess we get to know each other better and are more close in nj than in tk. will really miss you when you go to uk next year.

to esther, my always cheerful teammate and the surprisingly good GD, guess its a big change for you to be playing defence rather than midfield. but you handle it well. you always make my day. no matter how down i might feel that day, you always bring my spirit up. thanks. thanks for listening to all my craps.

though our lives in nj sort of end here, but friendships remains ya? unsure whether we will be playing in the same team again in the future but really an honor to play alongside you guys. and to moomoo, come back and visit us if you finally end up in UK.
 

and not forgetting our dear netball teacher, MS LIM. i remember seeing you at nj open house when i was sec 4. didnt know you at first. didnt know that i will get to know you and have you as my teacher. you have done more than your part. will really miss your cheerful face next year. thanks for encouraging every single one of us. being there for me that time i was very down. teaching me bout life. moulding me into the person i am right now. much thanks have been said and many more to come. hope that our paths will cross again in the future.
 

i guess i was very fortunate to be part of nj team of 2003 and 2004. to meet you guys was really a blessing. hope that the friendships that we had will last forever even though we may move on and pursue our different lives. lastly i want to say thank you to each and every one of you for making my life in nj netball meaningful and i truly cherished every minute spent.