As the principal of Bendemeer Secondary School, Ms Foo Sheue Feng’s support for her football players is wholehearted and wholesome. Her school may have won a championship this year, but rather than let the spotlight shine on her, she redirects it to her teams.
“Feature them, not me,” said Ms Foo.
“There is a marked improvement in their style of play and discipline,” she said, observing the players in training.
“The SFA (School Football Academy) programme is not just a football programme. We’re instilling values like discipline, resilience and teamwork to help our students believe in themselves and dare to aspire.”
At Bendemeer Secondary, football is a whole-school endeavour. When the B Division boys’ team clinched the National School Games (NSG) League 2 championship title this year, it wasn’t just a victory for them. Neither was it just a win for the school’s SFA coaches – Head coach Han Yiguang, C Division in-charge Murali Balamurali and Nazir Abdul, who coaches the B Division. It was a celebration for every teacher, student and coach who had dedicated their time, support and heart to make it possible. Which is exactly what football does; it galvanises communities.
B Division players rejoicing after winning the League 2 championship at this year’s National School Games, marking a significant milestone for Bendemeer Secondary School. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng.
A league of passionate mentors
“Heartwork, that’s the magic word here,” declared coach Murali. Here, a culture of unyielding support defines the spirit of football. SFA’s emphasis on the holistic development of student-athletes makes sure that everyone is involved.
From the coaches to a devoted convoy of school teachers, namely Mr Lee Cheng Siang, Mr Kenneth Goh, Mr Fahmy Sidik, Ms Wendy Hu and Ms Shamini, Bendemeer Secondary has built up a powerful support system for their players.
They worry together, work together and play together to bring out the best in their boys. Ex-Singapore Premier League (SPL) player Han Yiguang, who was among the pioneer group of SFA coaches, led the school to victory in the latest National School Games (NSG). He recounts a moment last year when one of his players was almost pulled from football to focus on academics.
“Mr Goh (CCA teacher-in-charge) managed to come to an agreement with the father, while I sat down with the boy to plan his daily schedule, including revision time,” Han shared. “Now, he’s excelling in both football and his studies.”
This is similar to the inspiring story of former B Division captain Isaac Yuen, who saw a turnaround in his performance both on and off the pitch thanks to the strong support of the SFA coaches and Bendemeer Secondary teachers.
Encouragement can hit the spot in the most unexpected moments. Farees Syed, a C Division striker, confided: “Sometimes, when I face problems at home, I will feel sad and that affects my game. But when I see the confidence they (the teachers and coaches) have in us, it motivates me and others to be positive.”
His teammate, Rui Bin Ahmad Zaidi, echoed this sentiment, expressing deep gratitude for his teachers’ care and concern.
The pillars of Bendemeer Secondary School’s football team, including school leaders and CCA teachers, give a thumbs up for their favourite team. From left to right: Mr Fahmy Sidik (teacher), Ms Shamini (teacher), Mr Kenneth Goh (CCA teacher-in-charge), Ms Wendy Hu (teacher), Mr Lee Cheng Siang (PE & CCA HOD). Photo by Unleash The Roar!.
“As student-athletes, the boys’ character development comes first. That’s our main priority,” Mr Goh shared.
One way to motivate them to work hard in school is by incentivising training. The players have to do well in school before they can enjoy the opportunities provided by SFA, like competitions and friendly games.
“We want to help our students find confidence in their own abilities and build on their strengths so they can achieve anything they want in the future,” stressed Mr Lee, the Head of Department (HOD) for PE and CCA.
While Nazir appreciated that the full-time SFA coach position allowed him to nurture and build trust with the boys, goalkeeper coach Kenny Loh, who makes the rounds of SFA schools and coaches once a week at Bendemeer Secondary, marvelled at the culture of communication in the school.
Dedication lies in the details
The boys are seen fuelling up with nutritious food before their big game. At every match, the school specially caters a healthy pre-game spread to ensure they are in tip-top condition. Photo by Bendemeer Secondary School.
It’s pre-match at Bendemeer Secondary. On the table a nutritious spread awaits the boys. This is not a one-off treat. It happens every time the football team has a match. And that’s not all.
“We engage a sport trainer for every NSG match to provide pre- and post-game treatment. With proper nutrition and physiotherapy, we want our boys to start the match in tip-top condition,” explained Mr Lee. The school also hired eighteen buses to ferry students, teachers, even the security guard, to the semi-finals and finals to cheer the teams on.
After achieving victory, the B Division boys celebrate their championship win together with the Bendemeer Secondary community, including CCA and student leaders. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng.
The boys are aware and grateful. Said Bryan Chua, a B Division player: “These small touches really help us, especially before big games. This is the SFA difference. It feels good to know that we’re being well supported, almost like having extra players on the team.”
His teammate Mohamed Rayyan shared that the care and concern makes him feel a greater sense of belonging to the team.
What sets Bendemeer Secondary’s football culture apart is the wall of support behind it. Bolstered by the SFA curriculum, the bar is substantially raised.
Ms Hu agreed that the SFA programme gives the students opportunities and exposure that they wouldn’t have had in the past. It elevates football by providing clear pathways and offering scholarships, making professional football accessible to players.
With sport science and data analytics, the SFA offers research-driven methodologies. It’s not just the coaches telling the boys what to do. This objective approach empowers the student-athletes to share their feedback on the sessions, fostering a more conducive and constructive training environment.
“We’re bringing the club to the school,” Han joked.
But he isn’t kidding.
The students are getting football coaches, sport scientists, fitness trainers, and support staff similar to those you would get in a professional youth football setting. There are facilities enabling them to train and engage the wider community every day. Whether it’s dedicated assembly sessions to teach team cheers to the school or reaching out to the primary schools to offer a glimpse of what football can offer, Bendemeer Secondary walks the walk.
Developing players beyond football
Dedicated SFA coaches Kenny Loh (left), Nazir Abdul Hamid (centre) and Han Yiguang debriefing the boys’ team after a productive day of training on the field. Photo by Unleash The Roar!.
What’s the secret for Bendemeer Secondary’s SFA success?
“Our synergy,” affirmed Han. “Teachers and coaches are aligned. The Vice-Principal and Principal are also on the same page. From the start, it was quite clear that our main aim was to develop the players beyond football into good people with strong values.”
HOD Lee could not agree more. He highlighted their long-term goal of developing footballers with good character and personal leadership skills on and off the field.
He said: “By doing that, we want to cultivate a culture of excellence in football such that the respective teams continue to be competitive in the NSG.”
As to putting in the good work, Nazir is drawn to the bigger picture.
“Ultimately, sport is life-changing… With any luck, they (the students) will grow up to become mindful, confident and inspired people, ” he said.
Looking Ahead
On the horizon, a girls’ team is being mooted. In 2025, Bendemeer Secondary plans to launch a brand new girls’ team under the SFA programme. The team will consist of the incoming batch of Secondary 1 students.
Bendemeer Secondary’s SFA programme isn’t about chasing trophies, though the achievements have been notable. Next year, both the B and C Divisions will be competing in League 1, and a few of their players have already made it into the Singapore Youth League. But as Loh puts it: “Winning is just a bonus. The real prize is seeing these boys become confident and responsible young men.”
C Division boys huddling up, spurring each other on just before the quarter-finals at this year’s National School Games. Photo by Bendemeer Secondary School.
The school’s success is more than any single victory. It has become a beacon of what it means to have your whole school as your team. By instilling values of determination, resilience and sportsmanship, Bendemeer Secondary is not only producing capable athletes but also thoughtful leaders.
“We’re shaping not just players, but a community of youths who are confident and caring individuals, contributing positively to the community,” reflected Ms Foo. “And that is our greatest win.”
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