NSG 2022: VJ Boleh!
By Cherlyn Ng Ying Xuan (22A12)
By Cherlyn Ng Ying Xuan (22A12)
Photo by VJCPS
These past months have surely been exciting for Victorians, with all the various CCA performances, initiatives and competitions taking place. This season has been filled with pride and celebration, as we listened to the student councillors bring us “Match Support Updates!” every assembly session, announcing the highly-anticipated results of each match in the ongoing National School Games. With the easing of measures, classes were allowed to go down to the various match venues to support our teams live! As we celebrate the glorious outcomes of the matches–no matter triumphant or not, let’s not forget about how our athletes embodied our school motto –Nil Sine Labore (Nothing Without Labour)– in their valiant efforts before and during the NSG season. Our athletes have undergone various highs and lows in their journey to prepare for the season. Let us direct the spotlight away from the amazing results they have achieved to the equally, if not more commendable efforts they have displayed behind-the-scenes. Our sports teams have truly proved to us that VJ, indeed, BOLEH!
Photo by VJCPS
After months of tireless training and preparation, the netball team gave their hundred-and-ten percent, fighting hard in every game. They faithfully honoured the Victorian name, bringing us to greater heights with their impressive victories this season. The netballers devoted themselves to hours of intensive training every week, a gruelling task which pushed them both mentally and physically. However, the players persisted, and conquered every obstacle thrown their way. As a contact sport, the netball NSG was unable to resume under the Covid-19 restrictions last year, making this season the first in two years. Driven by their burning passion and desire to make history, the netballers entered this season with lots of excitement and zest, ready to stake their claim to the trophy. We watched their hard work pay off in their final game against the defending champions, ACJC, clinching the first champion title for VJC Netball in 38 years.
The netballers had a fairytale run this season, snatching only victories throughout the season. The team emerged as a dark horse and presented themselves as a force to be reckoned with. However, their successes were definitely not the products of sheer luck or a miracle. Each of the seven players on court have their own specific roles to fulfil, be it attack or defence. But for a team to truly work at their full potential, every player on court needs to support one another, be flexible and versatile, in order to make everyone’s efforts count. The players demonstrated the true value and power of teamwork to us by giving each other constant support and encouragement, be it on court or not. With their CCA cheer “VJ Netball! Fired Up!”, the netballers fearlessly embraced the Victorian spirit, proudly playing in the name of VJC and keeping our flag unfurled.
Photo by VJCPS
- Faith Tay (21S42)
Photo by VJCPS
As shown on @thevictorianverve, our volleyball teams have gone far, proving their determination and might in eight matches each, and it surely has not been an easy journey at all. They had invested their time and effort into intense training sessions three times a week, and had also done extensive match analysis before the games to better prepare themselves. The boys’ and girls’ team gather to discuss matters both related and not related to volleyball over a hearty meal, building up an unbreakable team spirit that saw them through plenty of victories. With the relaxation of safe distancing measures, the volleyball teams are returning back to the standard 6v6 matches, after having to adapt to the modified 3v3 version for last year’s NSG. Pertaining to this switch, the volleyball players expressed that they feel more comfortable as they now have the support of more team members on court, and are more used to this standard playing style. With boosted confidence, the volleyballers went on to brandish their capabilities in their impressive matches against the various schools.
There are bound to be setbacks in every success story, and our VJ volleyball teams are no different. They demonstrated with honour, how to rise above the challenges and grow from their mistakes. Despite devastating losses, the boys’ team made sure to keep their morale high, reminding themselves that they are not alone in this fight, working alongside their teammates to reach greater heights in the following matches. Instead of being overwhelmed by their mistakes, the players picked themselves up and quickly corrected themselves, not allowing anything to get in the way of their pursuit of victories. The teams fought their hardest to the very end, believing that the game had not ended until the final whistle was blown. Both teams have surely done us proud, and proved to us the power of determination and willpower, ending the season with a bang!
Photo by VJCPS
- Shaun Ng (22S53), Teo Zhi Tien (22A12)
Photo by VJCPS
With VJC as the venue hosting most of the football NSGs, I am sure we all had our chances to witness the VJC boys’ and girls’ team display their might and skills on court. With countless Victorians cheering and clapping from the stands, the teams were reminded that they not only had the support of their teammates and coach, but also fellow Victorians. Both teams had a smooth run throughout the season, winning by a landslide over their opponents, leaving the field as Double Champions this year. But these results could not have come purely from talent and skills alone. The teams had forged strong unbreakable bonds amongst themselves, having fun with one another and fostering trusting relationships within the team. Training four times a week also helped them condition themselves to get more used to the pressure of being on the field and working together with their teammates in a match setting. The footballers maintained a humble attitude throughout their season, making sure that they never lost track of their initial goals.
Being able to go out onto the field, wearing the same jersey as your teammates with the name “VJC” printed across your back, is definitely an experience that is hard to put into words. The footballers have made the most out of their time on the field, displaying their burning hunger for success. When the players felt exhausted, they found that the enthusiastic cheers from the spectator stands gave them the energy they needed to push themselves further towards victory. Both teams have demonstrated absolute dedication and resolve, persevering through every tribulation, concluding their season with a spectacular win, crowning them Double Champions. Amazingly, both teams kept a clean sheet and did not concede a single goal throughout the season.
Photo by VJCPS
- Anton Yen Goh (22A13)
Photo by VJCPS
The raging cheers erupting from the spectator stands and the courtside echoed through the sports hall as the floorballers stepped onto the court for the last time this season, ready to fight their way to the gold medal. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams put up a strong fight, giving their absolute best on the court and displaying exemplary sportsmanship. Many hours were dedicated to prepare both teams for the few moments they get on court, and they ensured that they utilised everything that they had picked up from training, earning their spots at the finals in this year’s NSG. The boys’ team managed to clinch the Champion title, while the girls attained a respectable First Runner-Up title after a close fight against Tampines Meridian Junior College. Both teams have truly worked hard in order to get this far, and I’m sure we can all agree that their achievements are definitely worth our respect and commendations.
The black and white VJC jerseys are more than just a shirt designed to best fit the players needs on court. Being able to wear the jersey, and to step out on a court, with crowds of people in the yellow VJC Fired-Up T-shirts cheering behind you is an unforgettable and irreplaceable experience. The thunderous applause and cheers from the courtside reminded the floorballers of their belonging to the greater Victorian identity, and helped them forget their fears and worries going into a game, knowing that they are not alone, and that their peers are counting on them to honour the Victorian name. Besides the support from fellow Victorians, the players also relied heavily on one another. The teams initiated study sessions amongst themselves to build rapport amongst the team, and constantly encouraged one another to keep moving forward. Both teams left the court with no regrets, knowing that they had done their best this season and are looking forward to an even greater performance next year!
Photo by VJCPS
- Damien Chin (22S52)
Photo by VJCPS
Hockey may not be a sport that many of us are familiar with, but we can all agree that our hockey teams, both boys’ and girls’, have done us proud in this season of NSG. The hockey players, fuelled by their passion and the endless support from their teammates, coaches and fellow Victorians, went on to make VJC proud, clinching glorious victories this season. They maintained a high morale throughout the season, viewing each match as an ‘exciting challenge’, ready to conquer any obstacles that came their way. Like every other team sport, the players had to nurture a strong and cohesive team spirit amongst themselves in order to work together efficiently as a team on the hockey field. The hockey team made it a point to spend quality time with one another in order to achieve this goal. After months of stringent training and preparation, both teams managed to make their mark in the NSG finals, returning with meritorious silver trophies.
Being an outdoor sport, the hockey players not only had to endure the exhaustion from the sport itself, but also the scorching heat on sunny days, and the bothersome drizzles on rainy days. Playing a sport comes with not only physical pain and stress but also mental exhaustion as well. The players motivated themselves to keep pushing on and playing harder, knowing that a team is only as strong as its weakest player. In doing so, the hockey team managed to carry themselves with pride and resilience, seeing each other through each match honourably. The physical and mental strength the hockey teams have displayed throughout this season is surely worthy of our admiration.
Photo by VJCPS
- Sean Low (22A12)
Photo by VJCPS
As per last year’s safe distancing measures, the basketball NSG competitions could not take place.. Hence, this season would be the first time all the players will experience competing in basketball at the ‘A’ Division level. However, they managed to eliminate most of their anxiety by building up their confidence through vigorous training and friendly internal matches to get them used to different match scenarios. The basketball teams made full use of their combined training sessions and their coach’s guidance to devise game strategies. They also took ownership of their progress and preparation, initiating Monday runs every morning to improve their stamina. The basketballers have truly optimised their productivity and showed how powerful a shared passion can be.
These are words used to describe the basketballers’ experiences in this year’s NSG season. Having only been informed of the confirmed return of basketball NSG only two months prior, the teams had little time to foster strong connections with their teammates. However, they managed to overcome this issue by bonding during team dinners, whenever possible. Beyond the allotted training sessions, some players also passionately sought self-improvement, playing and training in their own free time or under organised clubs, to better hone their skills. The basketballers put in their best efforts every game, but unfortunately did not manage to advance to the finals this season. Though there were feelings of despondency, the team remains spirited, and is committed to making a greater comeback next season. The athletes have truly demonstrated an exemplary attitude, only striving towards the best, and not settling for mediocrity.
Photo by VJCPS
- Danish Haziq (22S63)
“Some people want it to happen. Some people wish it would happen. Others make it happen.”
- Michael Jordan
The Victorian spirit really shone in this year’s NSG, through the athletes’ resolute and brave efforts, the unwavering support of Victorians, both those in the stands and those online on @thevictorianverve on Instagram! This season of NSG has surely been an eventful one, where we celebrated the return to standard competition guidelines and live match support as well. Just like the slogan of this year’s student leadership week, we did #makeithappen. Let us take pride in the achievements by our athletes as one Victorian family, and strive for even greater heights next year!
Thank you for your enthusiasm this season. Whether as a participant or a supporter, I’m sure we all had a memorable time! Here’s to an even more exciting season next year!