Secretary
Carol Tan would not take no for an answer when she wanted to help her sons find a way
to play soccer. She soon found that there were many other youngsters keen to play the game
as well. So she roped them together so they could meet regularly, all 100 of them, to pursue
the passion of their lives. And the Elias Park Junior Club was born.
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Soccer
Mom Carol Tan together with some of
her delighted charges
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'Last year was the best time of my life'
For
Carol Tan, a 44 year-old secretary, the most fantastic time of her life was
the second half of last year. That was when her dream project of setting up a
football team so that her two young sons could play the game, came true with
astounding success. Through Carol’s untiring efforts, the club, Elias has over
100 members, professional coaches, and a vision of having its own clubhouse
that will be a second home to the boys. But let’s hear Carol tell her own story:
"My sons and the other boys were very excited when I told them I was thinking of
forming a club for them. That was in March last year. Word got around and in no
time, we had 30 members. The list continued growing because I just did not have
the heart to say ‘No’ to any youngster who wanted to join us for the weekly
football sessions.
"I realised there was no turning back and began with the help of the older boys
to look for suitable fields with goal posts and opportunities to play against
other teams. I spoke to Vincent Subramaniam, Singapore national team coach. He
was very helpful and gave me valuable advice - and even some footballs.
"Through Vincent, our efforts were highlighted in a Weekend East report by
Josephine David on sports in Pasir Ris. That report really gave a boost to the
club. Weekend East’s Andre Yeo then interviewed me and before I could catch my
breath, he informed me that Paul Masefield of Little League Pte Ltd was keen
to help coach our club members, free for six months last year.
"My search for a suitable field paid off when Mr Sapii Kasamin, Principal of
Siglap Secondary School, kindly allowed us to use their field.
"By October, the membership had grown too large for me to handle on my own.
I contacted Pasir Ris Zone ‘12’ RC and they helped me run the club’s soccer
programme together with NorthEast Community Development Council. We concluded
the season with a championship and all the boys had a fantastic time.
"What I started out to do, to make my boys and their friends happy and help
them to develop good social skills, has blossomed into a wonderful project
for the community.
"My long-term goal is to have as many children as possible take part in
NorthEast Soccer 2010 programme irrespective of their family financial
background and without sacrificing the quality of coaching. We hope we can
eventually have a clubhouse which will be a second home to the boys and which
they will one day manage themselves.
"Working with the children in my neighbourhood on this soccer project has been
the most meaningful and enjoyable time of my life. On behalf of the boys, I
would like to thank all parties, for their support, including that from my
husband, my children and my bosses, for allowing me time to do something that
I enjoy most - making kids happy."
For their efforts, Mrs Tan and Mr Sapii were presented with special awards
from NorthEast CDC, to recognise their contributions as active citizens.
April/May
2000 - Spring
(courtesy of NorthEast
CDC)
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