By Table Tennis EXCO ’26
Adapted from CCA Previews ‘25
Imagine this: the score is 2-2, 10-9. What’s next is the deciding point that could grant overall victory; the crucial point that could help retain RI’s crown. Crowds cheering, sweat dripping, heart racing, you draw one final deep breath. You keep your eyes wide open, staring intently at the hands of the opponent, as he tosses the ball up in the air. Blink, and you’ll miss it — the ball, the point, and maybe even the match.
Want to experience this thrilling sensation? Come and join us on this journey with the Raffles Table Tennis team! Table Tennis, also known as “ping-pong”, is an exciting, fast-paced sport in which either two or four players hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a table using wooden paddles. The popular sport takes place on a hard table divided by a net, and you might even have gotten your own shot at it during PE lessons!
However, while it might look and sound simple, table tennis requires high levels of precision, speed as well as split-second decision-making when played at a higher level, making it a rather difficult sport to master. Fret not, though, for whether you’re a newbie or not, our training is independent of your skill level and will help you to improve with the help of the coaches and the entire team.
The RI Table Tennis team comprises both boys and girls, who are all equally committed to disciplined and intensive training sessions. With the unwavering support of our teachers and coaches, we strive to develop each member to their highest potential. Above all, it is our utmost priority to provide a safe, warm and conducive environment for each member to learn, develop and grow.
We strive to build a family which recognises the universal importance of not only celebrating each other’s achievements, but also supporting and uplifting each other during tough moments, both inside and outside the sport. We believe Raffles Table Tennis to be more than a CCA, but a community, and a family.
You may be wondering: what about training sessions? Our CCA requires more commitment than some other CCAs, but this comes hand-in-hand with the passion and joy for the sport.
In the period leading up to the National Championships at the National Schools Games, we train 3 times a week: not just to maintain our muscle memory, but also to enhance our skills to better control the ball. After the Championships and in preparation for academic assessments, training sessions are reduced to twice a week.
Our training takes place at the RI Y1-4 gymnasium from 5.30 pm-8.00 pm on Mondays, 2.30 pm-5.00 pm on Wednesdays and 5.00 pm-7.30 pm on Fridays, with additional training sessions during the competition season.
With the help of both our experienced coaches, Coach Zhang Jun Ming and Coach Tay Jit Kiat, every training session holds something valuable for each player to take home, be it a new skill or improvement in technique. Our experienced teacher-mentors, Mr Lee Seck Kwoon, Mr Chan Joon Kiat, and Ms Cheryl Lin will also be there to support our journey and unleash each of our fullest potentials as players.
Beyond the regular training sessions, we also engage in bonding activities to boost the team’s morale. We often come together for team dinners and get together before training to do our homework, fostering stronger ties between team members.
What about the results? Our hard work and determination have paid off in the 2025 National School Games, with both the girls’ and the boys’ teams achieving commendable results. The boys’ team emerged as overall Champions, whilst the girls’ team fought hard till the end and achieved 2nd place.
However, what was infinitely more valuable than the victory were the core memories we made along the way. The bonds we forged will accompany us throughout the rest of our lives. The lessons learnt on the importance of tenacity and forging on as a tightly knit team have also prepared us to face future challenges with courage. Trophies will one day rust and fade, but these memories will last forever.
In 2026, our team aims not only to achieve double champions for both the girls’ and boys’ teams in the National School Games but also to support each other in our own individual table tennis journeys. In the face of challenges, we will never give up but instead work together as one united team, building on one another’s strengths to uplift ourselves from our struggles. More than just achieving results, we hope to foster an accepting community and build lasting memories that we can cherish fondly.
So, join us, and embark on your memorable, once-in-a-lifetime journey in Raffles Table Tennis.
