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11 February 2009MEDIA RELEASEBONDING THE COMMUNITY:SINGAPORE YOUTH SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FORMEDTO RAISE PARTICIPATION AND CATALYSE SPORTING CULTURE
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and theMinistry of Education (MOE) have formed a Singapore Youth Sports Development(SYSD) Committee to bring together key stakeholders who share a common passionto develop youth sports. The committee seeks to raise overall youth sportsparticipation through strengthening the sports system, catalyse a sporting culture,and perform well at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.2 Formed in September 2008, the Committee is co-chaired by Mr Teo Ser Luck,Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, andTransport, and Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education,and Home Affairs. It comprises members from MCYS, MOE, the Singapore NationalOlympic Council, National Sports Associations (NSAs), Singapore Sports Council(SSC) and the Singapore Sports School. [See Annex for Committee Member list]
(A) IMPROVING STRATEGIES
3 Sports plays an important role in building character and bonding thecommunity, especially during this difficult economic climate. To sustain the progressmade thus far in schools, the community, and at the national and international levels,MCYS/SSC and MOE currently channel $6million and $30million respectively toNSAs and school sports programmes. This money is used to provide studentsincreased opportunities to participate in sports and games through Learn-to-playprogrammes, improving coaching standards, enhancing facilities and equipment, andproviding training and competition opportunities.4 The vibrant school competition calendar serves as an avenue for talentidentification, selection and preparation. The Committee is currently identifying areasfor improvements to cater to a larger pool of athletes. It is also looking at ways toenhance collaboration between schools, NSAs and the wider community, andfacilitate the setup of satellite training centres.
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MCYS MEDIA RELEASE NO: 07/2009DATE OF ISSUE: 11/02/2009
 
 
(B) SETTING UP SATELLITE TRAINING CENTRES
5 Over the next two years, MCYS, SSC and MOE plan to set up a number of satellite training centres (STC) for selected Olympic sports in each of the four schoolzones. These centres will serve as additional avenues for youth participation andleague competitions. STCs will be based at selected schools with good potential inthe chosen sports or at selected SSC facilities. Existing facilities designated as STCswill be provided with sufficient equipment, amenities, maintenance and staff support.
(C) PREPARING ATHLETES FOR YOG
6 To prepare our athletes for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, a setof objective athlete selection processes are being drawn up. Evidence-basedresources and workshops including strength and conditioning, and nutrition adviceetc, will also be made available to NSAs, teachers, coaches and parents. The SYSDCommittee will also guide the preparation of competition specific and individualisedsupport plans. In the longer term, the Committee aims to facilitate collaborationamong key stakeholders to create a youth sports development ecosystem so as tobuild up a sustainable long-term athlete development pipeline.
(D) SUPPORTING NSAs
7 NSAs will be banded into separate categories, and evaluated on their youthsports development plans. The NSAs with good youth sports development plansmay receive additional assistance and support to enhance coaching competenciesand various sports science support. Seed funding will also be available to encourageinitiatives which increase youth sports participation. Youths, parents and others whovolunteer their support at events and competitions can also expect to receive trainingto boost technical and officiating capability.8 Said Mr Teo, “We strongly believe in the importance of developing the youth,and are working hard to help develop the system and catalyse a sporting culture inSingapore. 2009 and the next few years will be exciting ones for all of us, as theAsian Youth Games and the Youth Olympic Games are held on home ground.”9 Mr Masagos added, “The work of this Committee aims to bring the variousstakeholders together, and through collaborative efforts, bring youth sports inSingapore to a whole new level.”
ISSUED BYMINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
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