joyracreu remembers an activity which was somewhat forced on her but eventually turned out pretty well!
The year was 1979 and I had just entered Secondary 1.
Like the
others, I had to pick an ECA (the origin for CCA) so I chose athletics as I had
done hurdling before in CCPS. When I showed Her Highness, she vehemently
protested and insisted I joined gymnastics instead. I begged and cried to her
as the only reason I didn’t want to do gym was to wear leotards! In those days,
Mother’s word was law. Today, children rule their parents-how times have
changed.
Saturday arrived quickly. Painfully shy and fearful of the
unexpected, I met Ms Antonia Gng, the ECA gym teacher. Along with other new
recruits like myself, I remember my first tumbling session in school PE attire.
Contrary to my belief, I soon realized there was no need to wear leotards for
ECA sessions at all. I was so relieved! The only obstacle I had to overcome was
having many pairs of eyes staring at you while you jumped, rolled or tumbled in
the school quadrangle. Being self-conscious, the attention was unnecessary.
Over time, my interest in gymnastics bloomed. Ms Gng and many
seniors encouraged me to go further and train harder. I didn’t know that gym
was so fun until I started it in secondary school. In those days, gymnastics
was still a niche sport in SAC. I particularly admired the gymnastic team from
the primary side because they seemed more graceful and more experienced in the
way they executed their stunts. I was never trained under Sister Angela but I
looked up to her as it was the first time I had met a nun who was very actively
involved in sports.
From just Saturdays, extra practices on weekdays and even a few
Sundays surfaced. There were no teachers around on Sundays; just ourselves and
mostly my seniors from the upper Secondary. On reflection, I have no idea how I
ever got into the school on a Sunday. Perhaps, Auntie Minnie wasn’t around to man
the door facing Middle Road
or she could’ve been around but didn’t say a word except to stare at me.
Six months later, I participated in my first National Schools’ Gymnastics
Competition under ‘C’ Division. The competition was held at the former
Singapore Badminton Hall in Guillemard
Road. No names mentioned, I remember there were 6
of us, fangirl included. For the
first time, I was seen in a black leotard before a public audience! I kept
pulling at my leotard to cover my buttocks prior to the competition but was
told that the judges would cut marks if I did that as pulling one’s leotard was
not part of the exercise routine.
Till today, I still hold fond memories of my gym days. One of my
regrets is doing the most foolish thing of giving away my gym medals while I
was cleaning out my old TV cabinet decades ago. If I could turn back the clock,
I would’ve shown them to my children today.
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