Recollection.

One for all, all for one. That’s the spirit of Temasek Team Water Polo-no one fends for himself.

Walking along Temasek Business School, I wondered long and hard what CCA I should join. Booth after booth, nothing interesting seemed to allure me over. When I finally decided to head back to the school canteen after searching in vain, two guys approached me saying “Join team Water Polo!” Looking down at the barely filled list, I refused to put my name down for trials. However, after much persuasion, I wrote my particulars reluctantly.

My sister exclaimed in dismay when she learnt I put my name down for the school’s Water Polo Team. She raved on and on about the inevitable injuries, scars and other scary stuff that will happen to me if I were to join. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot.

The day of trial saw much hesitation. My friend pulled out in the end, leaving me helpless and unwilling to go for the trials. Somehow, I went in the end and that very day marked the start of something new.

First training felt as if somebody threw me in a foreign place. Not a single familiar face was detected. All I can remember is that Kiwi looked as though he was going to explode in those muscles of his, Melvin looked like a typical Malay while don-beng was identified as the guy who borrowed goggles from me during the trials. Then, the subsequent trainings seemed to turn out for the better. People started to open up to each other and a slight bond was formed. The best part was always looking in awe how great the seniors were every time coach took them for swimming.

In the blink of an eye, the year 1s found ourselves swimming with the year 2s for trainings. We started to learn how the game works and this was also when I started to question myself. Scolding, chiding and reprimanding looked like what we signed up for. There will always be a time where it seemed like the seniors bore a grudge against us. Be it swimming or playing a match, we will get ticked off about the slightest mistake. I remember a time where I told myself: What the hell did I get myself into? My arms were aching, legs were burning and my mind was on the verge of bursting from all that swimming. That was the time I almost gave up. Many things went through me. I asked myself constantly why I tortured myself by joining such a tough sport. Why didn’t I join something more relaxing like TPSU in the first place? The answer didn’t come to me till I witnessed what happened at POLITE. After losing every match so badly and not even coming close to 3rd place (we were miles away and there were only 4 teams), there was a strong urge to suddenly train doubly hard and to fight back. All I could think of was to continue persevering and to overcome all odds to reach the top. That was the moment when I finally found my passion for the sport.

Trainings after that were like banishing everyone to hell. All of us will look like zombies after each training. School work and projects were also piling up like nobody’s business.

There was a time when I was extremely uncertain about my position in the Water Polo Team. Bryan used to dub himself, me, Melvin, Kiwi and Terry the ideal 5 for the year 1 team. It may sound very egotistical but I actually felt so too. However, I felt like I got worse and worse each training and was always demoralized when the seniors scolded me for doing something wrong. It seemed to me as though I wasn’t going to make it to the main team. Major flaws started to arise such as “lousy game sense”. Nevertheless, instead of resting on my laurels and feel lousy about myself, I decided to work on my mistakes every time someone corrected me.

Week after week, Kuan Sheng will be there constantly telling and guiding me on what to do. From there, I learnt a lot of things such as driving techniques and the different kinds of ways to break free/attack/defend. Kudos to you, Kuan Sheng. I must really thank you for teaching us and being there every training without fail just to train us for the better. Your unwavering patience and guidance have earned our utmost respect.

After almost 6 months of intense training, improvements in everyone could be seen. Now, I am vying for the position of Keeper with Weida. It is anybody’s game. It’s either you make it or you don’t. I find that I’m rather apart from the other year 1s now. Everyone will be doing swimming training and laps while I will be doing leg work with Andy and Weida at the other side of the pool. There’s this spaced out feeling that feels weird. Of course, keeper trainings are usually like that (as quipped by Andy) so I have decided to put my heart and soul into all the keeper trainings I have, especially with the valuable help from Ben. Other than that, I still see the need in improving my skills as a player in the pool.

Last night was really the most depressing day I ever had. The bad news conveyed to the team was one that any sportsman wouldn’t want to hear. I have to admit I teared even before opening Kunlong’s proposal file. Every thing I hoped for seemed to crumble before my eyes. It was like being hit by a truck unknowingly and the next moment you realize you are already dead. The fond memories with the team, the unglam times while training, the vulgarities used in the pool, the crazily tiring sprints and of course extremely cold water during rainy days will not be forgotten. The amazing experience I have walked through and the unyielding interest for Water Polo is something no other CCA will be able to replace.

I have something to say before I end my post. To the board who decided to close Water Polo down, the team respects your decision totally. There’s no point bitching about you behind your back. But you pissed us off in the wrong way and we are not going down that easily without putting up a fight. Mark my words; we will bounce back with much vengeance. You just wait and see.

CHERNRONISTHENOBLEONE