By Clayton Hi Shao Cong (26S06S, Captain) and Wan Jean Suen Chloe (26S05A, Captain)
Do you have a burning passion for badminton? Do you have years of experience under your belt? Are you looking for a CCA that can test your limits while creating joyful memories? Badminton might just be the CCA for you!
Training sessions are 3 hours long and can consist of technical drills, multi-shuttle training, practice matches, and physical training (PT). This multifaceted training ensures that each and every one of us is physically fit and technically able to meet the demands of competition standards.
Our training sessions take place three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4.30pm to 7.30pm at the Indoor Sports Hall. The different types of training mentioned above are alternated throughout the week. While exhausting, the company of your teammates makes the hardships all worth it, and we leave each training session tired yet fulfilled.
Since our training sessions end late, we often decide to stay back and have dinner together. The fun interactions we have allow us to bond with each other and are a bright spot for us to look forward to after a taxing week of school and training.
Our coaches, Coach Ronald (Singles) and Coach Xiqing (Doubles) are extremely skillful and provide invaluable guidance for us to constantly improve our gameplay. Using their technical prowess, they help us drill our skills and multi-shuttle abilities for us to better receive difficult shots.
Our supportive teacher-in-charge, Mr. Wong Chu Lin, is also a capable badminton player who is actively involved in our training sessions and often steps in to be a training partner for us.
Occasionally, the coaches will put our physical limits to the test by having all of us undergo a series of creative and challenging exercises with their vast array of strength equipment. Once again, while extremely strenuous and demanding, PT makes each of us feel more empowered and ready to soar to unprecedented heights, and ultimately clinch gold at the National School Games.
The highlight of our year and the ultimate test of our hard work is the National School Games, which usually take place from early April to early May. Each match is both physically and mentally demanding for the players, as they have to navigate countless rallies with agility while coping with competition nerves.
Juggling schoolwork, intense training, and competitions all at once is definitely not easy. However, for all of us, the experience of representing the school, winning a point with Raffles emblazoned on your back, with your fellow students and team cheering you on… It’s truly the experience of a lifetime!
For the prospective RIBT applicants out there, remember that even though badminton is a huge commitment, the memories forged while persisting through hardships and enjoying fun times as one team will transcend time. If you are ready to outdo yourself, do join us at the selection trials. RIBT looks forward to welcoming you to the team!
Clayton + Chloe
Captains of RIBT
