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Sync Cycle instructor recounts her initial judgment of Spin Classes PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG In a given week, Victoria Louise Drysdale usually teaches two to three spin classes. While having a day job makes this a tough task, she believes it challenges her to be a stronger instructor and person overall. She admitted that she wasn't always a fan of spin classes though. She said: "At first I judged spin a lot, I really judged spin. Because I thought it was a purely cardio bunny kind of workout." PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "I was so into fitness, I did HIIT and strength workouts, because I just wanted to tone up - and I thought that spin was really sort of a girls-want-to-have-fun kind of workout, so I really judged it so hard, even during class," she laughed. It was only after she fell in love with the music at a certain spin studio, and subsequently meeting the people at Sync Cycle, that it finally got her comfortable in the fitness genre. So what was her first experience of a spin class like? "I was wondering what was going on and why it was not as challenging as I thought it would be. Until I completed that class and I was totally blown away," she continued. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "Everything that was incorporated into that workout was what I liked - it was music, my heart was pumping, there was resistance, there were different tracks, even arm workouts, so I was addicted immediately." Outside of spinning, Drysdale's go to choice for a workout is running. It didn't come as a huge surprise as running was the sport that got her into fitness in the first place. "I was in Track and Field, and I represented Singapore a few times in the 400m event, so with that I felt like I just wanted to keep it going, and keep up this lifestyle." PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG When asked why she thinks people should give spin a try, she said, "one of the common myths about spin is that it's like a cult or people just go there for the hype." "Kind of like a clubbing experience, so many people think it's purely a cardio workout. But it does have the HIIT experience as it includes resistance and arm workouts." "It's a good push especially if you want your heartrate to rise really high, so to me spin is just amazing," she concluded. #SportPlusSG #Fitness #Spinning #SyncCycle

Fostering a tight fitness community through the art of riding in sync PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG While spin classes are not exactly a new trend in Singapore, every spin class and cycling studio brings with it a uniquely different experience. After all there's more to spin than just clipping on and pedaling hard isn't it? Founded in 2016 by Studio Director Jas Ong, Sync Cycle promises a rhythmic ride you've never experienced before, and works a real treat particularly for those who are new to spinning. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Here is 50 minutes of beat-based rhythmic rides in which you can expect muscles isolation, toning, sprints and riding with resistance that combine upper body, core and lower body that targets all your muscle groups. If that weren't enough, Sync Cycle 's specially curated list of upbeat and motivating music will have you moving to the beat and dancing in sync with other class participants, a perfect remedy for a bad day at work or if you just feel like sweating it out after staying home for too long. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG While Sync Cycle's signature class Rhythmic Ride caters to both newcomers and seasoned riders, with each rider having full control ver the amount of resistance he or she wants for the ride, there are also other classes that cater to newcomers of spin. If you are entirely new to spin, then BEGINNERS RIDE could be a better choice, a 50 minutes class that is carefully crafted for you to learn the basics of beat-based cycling. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Tips such as how to set up your bike, clipping in your cycling shoes and how to execute fun signature spin moves on the bike such as tap backs, presses, sexy corners, sprints and jumps! Sync Cycle now has two cycling studios in which you can book your classes and get your sweat on! Their East Coast Road cycling studio is now open, to add to the original studio operating from Yio Chu Kang. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG SYNC Cycle Class Packages: 2 rides* Newbie - $40 for 2 weeks 1 ride - $38 for 1 week 5 rides - $160 for 6 weeks 10 rides - $320 for 12 weeks 20 rides - $600 for 20 weeks 30 rides - $840 for 24 weeks 50 rides - $1,250 for 42 weeks SYNC Cycle Website https://www.synccycle.com.sg/ Opening Hours Monday: 9:30am – 10pm Tuesday: 9:30am – 10pm Wednesday: 9:30am – 10pm Thursday: 9:30am – 10pm Friday: 9:30am – 10pm Saturday: 9:30am – 2pm Sunday: 9:30am – 2pm Contact Details +65 6282 6008 SYNC Cycle Indoor Cycling Address: 92 Yio Chu Kang Rd, Singapore, 545572 SYNC Cycle East Coast Address: 282 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428946 #SPORTPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #SyncCycle #Spin

Former national water polo athlete and swimmer turned fitness entrepreneur forces himself to learn new things to stay relevant PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG For Lim Yaoxiang, the transition from life as a national athlete to gym owner was almost seamless. He likens competitive sport and fitness to being very similar, with both being goal driven, with perhaps just the competitive element being the difference. "I only knew one thing that I was passionate about - which is sports and fitness, that's why I started a gym and pursued this route," he quipped. Indeed it is the same single-minded focus that drove him to set up his first business, The Fitness Project, one of the pioneers in having fitness classes on water, before it took off and became popular. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Although the transition has been easy, the journey has been far from smooth - as there are a whole slew of things to look at beyond just teaching classes. Juggling business operations, teaching classes and his social life has also meant he has very little time for himself, as he usually feels mentally and physically drained with whatever time he has left. Even then, he tries his best to set aside an hour or two each day for his own training - be it on the bike or having his own HIIT session. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "What I try to do is to set myself some goals that I want to achieve, for example for these 6 months I want to learn new techniques and new exercises that I want to put into the programme," Lim shared. "Staying relevant and constantly upgrading yourself is very important," he continued. "We've got to walk the talk. People are always looking at us and asking if we are able to do what we are asking them to do." When asked what advice we would give beginners who are starting out on their fitness journeys, Lim had a lot more encouraging things to say. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "You want to be motivated without feeling too stressed. It can feel overwhelming when the goal you set for yourself looks daunting." "That is natural because where you are and where you want to be is a long journey, so learn to set a goal but then forget about achieving it. Instead of looking at the bigger picture, break it down into bite sized little achievable things." "For example, let's get my endurance up first, or let's build up my shoulder strength first. Set yourself small achievable goals, short term goals that become more challenging along the way, that add up to the big one." #SportPlusSG #Fitness #Grityard #SingaporeGyms

Move better through Grityard's five pillars of strength, power, agility, core and endurance PHOTO: GRITYARD GYM What is exercise without intention? That is the core concept around which Grityard gym is formed, and what it's programs are about. Located at Outram Park, the gym is founded by three former national athletes who wanted to use their backgrounds as athletes to help people move better in their workouts in order to achieve specific objectives. PHOTO: GRITYARD GYM Having been exposed to some of the best strength and conditioning coaches from traveling around the world during their time as athletes, Grityard's High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programs are built around five core pillars of fitness: strength, power, agility, core and endurance. Dubbing itself as "no fluff, no excuses", the studio believes in intentionality behind every workout beyond just getting a good sweat and feeling tired, and that each exercise prescribed needs to be helping an individual achieve a specific objective, even while having fun. PHOTO: GRITYARD GYM And understanding the reasons why you are moving a certain way, will help you become better, faster and stronger. The studio offers a highly dynamic style of functional workouts for your whole body. Each group workout usually lasts about 45 minutes, with demonstrations of each station and warm-ups before class begins in a setting against the backdrop of adrenaline pumping tunes. PHOTO: GRITYARD GYM Grityard's packages : 1 week unlimited trial - $35 Weekly unlimited - $85 1 month unlimited - $290 3 month unlimited - $780 10 sessions classpack (4 months) - $250 20 sessions classpack (8 months) - $400 PHOTO: GRITYARD GYM Grityard Website https://grityard.com Opening Hours Monday: 6am – 9:30pm Tuesday: 10am – 9:30pm Wednesday: 10am – 9:30pm Thursday: 10am – 9:30pm Friday: 6am – 8:30pm Saturday: 8 – 11am Sunday: 9am – 12pm Contact Details +65 9112 6768 Grityard Studio Address 2 College Road, Singapore 169850 #SPORTPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #Grityard

Top of the table clash ends in a stalemate as a disciplined Tanjong Pagar United outfit kept the prowling Lion City Sailors at bay Lila Tan twists and turns to dance past the Tanjong Pagar players. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 31st July 2022 - Lion City Sailors and Tanjong Pagar played out a goal less stalemate in a spirited top of the table clash yesterday in week 7 of the Deloitte Women’s Premier League. It was evident that the two coaches had wildly different approaches to the game. While The Sailors charged relentlessly towards goal, Tanjong Pagar United's tactics were fairly simple – do not allow the opposition a shot on goal. The Jaguars showed some promise in their high press at the start of the first half with Yuki Monden often running at The Sailors's back line but the highly experienced defenders were calm on the ball. More photos from the match available in SportPlus.sg's photo gallery here. A common sight last night, Madelin Lim battles it out with Nur Syazwani for the ball down the flank. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Effectively switching sides, the attacks mainly came down the right wing where Nur Syazwani and Sara Merican combined to give Tanjong Pagar’s Madelin Lim a tough time. A natural striker, Lim was made to fill in as a left midfielder for the depleted Jaguars side who only had three substitutes on the bench. Despite the unfamiliar role, Lim held her ground well and frequently blocked off the dangerous channel between Sara, Syazwani and their hungry teammates lurking in the box. The first real chance fell for Dorcas Chu in the 17th minute who fired a shot just wide. As the half progressed, Sara and Syazwani began taking significant control of their territory out on the wing with crosses often looking for Lila Tan. Meanwhile, possession was scarce for Tanjong Pagar. Minami Fukuzawa, who is usually seen further up the pitch, resorted to dropping deep to try get on the ball before firing it up in hopes that it would reach the feet of Monden. Yuki Monden chases the ball as Munirah Mohamad tries to get back in time. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Despite the run of play, Monden was a constant threat in front of goal whenever the ball did make its way into the half of The Sailors. Her footwork enabled her to dance through several blue shirts but time and time again, the final ball was missing. Proven super sub for Lion City Sailors, Danelle Tan was brought on in the second half but unlike previous matches, she was unable to find the back of the net this time. Needless to say, the 17-year-old did give it a go multiple times. The striker took two strong touches to cut inside before launching a curling shot on goal but goalkeeper, Nurul Haziqah, who had a brilliant game in between the sticks, reacted well to shuffle over and gather the ball in her hands. Tanjong Pagar had all but Monden back in defence and unfortunately for them, most of the clearances went only as far as the halfway line where Ernie Sontaril was waiting to relaunch the attack. Dorcas Chu on the ball with Rosairiani Suhairi hot on her heels. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Nurul Haziqah produced two wonder saves late in the second half, earning roars from the fans in the stands. A show of strong hands, she stopped a powerful strike coming down the middle before going on to parry away a free kick taken by Danelle. The ball’s trajectory was read well by the young goalkeeper despite the finesse it had. The Tanjong Pagar team thank the fans for cheering them on through the tough 90 minutes. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG It was an intense last few minutes for Tanjong Pagar who were holding on by a thread. The strong and disciplined side kept their shape and were able to close off any sort of space The Sailors had to take a shot. The side are the first to deny Lion City Sailors all three points, with Haziqah being the first keeper to keep a clean sheet against the star-studded side. As The Jaguars celebrated in relief, The Sailors players were left scratching their heads as the whistle blew, ending the game 0-0. Tanjong Pagar look to get back to the top next week as they take on Albirex Niigata while Lion City Sailors take the week off. More photos from the match available in SportPlus.sg's photo gallery here. Deloitte Women's Premier League 2022 Other Match Week 7 Results Still Aerion 1-0 Balestier Khalsa Tiong Bahru 1-2 Albirex Niigata Sat, 30 July 2022, Yishun Stadium #SportPlusSG #Football #WomensPremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

Hougang United keep AFC Cup hopes alive with topsy-turvy 4-2 win over Tampines Rovers PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Singapore, 30 July 2022 - A Boris Kopitovic’s brace was insufficient for Tampines Rovers, as Kristijian Krajcek’s brace alongside Kaishu Yamazaki and Shawal Anuar goals seal an all-important victory for Hougang United. With two late goals, Hougang have seized control of the race for AFC Cup qualification with an enthralling 4-2 victory over Tampines Rovers on Saturday evening at Our Tampines Hub. As a result, the Cheetahs surged into fourth-place in the league standings, one point ahead of Geylang International and two ahead of Tampines (now in sixth-place) who still have a game in hand to play. The Cheetahs also reduced the gap to third-placed Tanjong Pagar United to five points, with just 10 matches to play. Tanjong Pagar were resoundingly beaten by Geylang 5-0 in the concurrent fixture, and now have a battle on their hands to secure the AFC Cup qualification spot – awarded to the second-best placed local team in the league – the Jaguars currently occupy. Tampines head coach Gavin Lee started forward Taufik Suparno in place of Serbian playmaker Zehrudin Mehmedovic – absent from the matchday squad with a knock – as captain Yasir Hanapi was dropped into a deeper midfield role sticking with the same 3-5-2 system. Hougang manager Clement Teo gave 17-year-old goalkeeper Aizil Yazid a debut start, while Hafiz Sujad came in at left-back for Jordan Vestering as the Cheetahs went with a 4-2-3-1 set-up, with Kaishu Yamazaki and Fabian Kwok in a double-pivot. A slow-paced start was gradually brought to life on the half hour mark when a poor touch from Tampines defender Ryaan Sanizal in his own half was capitalised upon by Hougang’s Shawal Anuar. The ball was rolled towards Hougang forward Pedro Bortoluzo, who got the better of Stags defender Shuya Yamashita in a one-versus-one duel, allowing Kristijian Krajcek to roll the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give Hougang the lead. Tampines would eventually get their equaliser on the 38th minute mark, after talisman Boris Kopitovic connected on the half-volley perfectly with Kyoga Nakamura’s looping cross towards the far post. It was the Montenegrin’s 19th goal of the season, bringing him level with Albirex’s Kodai Tanaka atop the league scoring charts. Moments later, Stags midfielder Firdaus Kasman was handed a gilt-edged opportunity after Hougang defender Anders Aplin lost the ball right on the edge of the penalty box. Yet, the former Singapore international saw his tame effort brilliantly saved by Hougang debutant Aizil Yazid to keep the scores level heading into the half-time break. Ten minutes after the restart, Tampines momentarily got the go-ahead goal courtesy of a perfectly-threaded through ball from Kyoga Nakamura. Yasir Hanapi latched onto the pass, squaring for Kopitovic to sweep home into an empty net for his 20th goal of the season. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Hougang would flamboyantly restore parity once more just two minutes later, after midfielder Kaishu Yamazaki fired a bullet of a shot straight into the top corner of the net leaving Syazwan Buhari rooted to the spot. Drama would ensue thereafter, as Tampines’ Taufik Suparno dove in with a reckless two-footed challenge on Bortoluzo, but referee Hilmi Fuad opted only to show a yellow card. From a corner-kick in the 79th minute, Hougang would again restore their advantage in a match of many twists and turns. Krajcek’s low, driven set-piece escaped the first defender and was turned into the net by a lurking Shawal Anuar at the near post – his third consecutive goal in as many matches. Krajcek would then have the final decisive moment of the game, firing a loose-ball in the penalty box past Syazwan’s reach to give the Cheetahs an unassailable two-goal cushion. That would be the final action of the match, as Hougang came away with another invaluable three points following a victory by the same scoreline in the same fixture just 17 days prior. Hougang coach Clement Teo said after the win: “Teamwork plays a very big part. The players believe in the tactical aspect of what we have shown them in the past week.” PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Speaking about making an attacking change in the second half [Amy Recha for Fabian Kwok] when the scores were still tied at 2-2, Clement said: “Our plan was to cut-off passing lanes to Boris Kopitovic. Either Kaishu (Yamazaki) or Kiki (Krajcek) would do the job. Fabian (Kwok) did a fantastic job in the first-half, but he hasn’t been playing regularly.” “It’s a switch which we felt at that point we didn’t have much of a choice as Kiki was penetrating very well on the left-hand side. But this change instead gave Kiki more space in the middle when he had possession and moved the ball forward. It’s something that we didn’t expect actually,” he added. Coach Clement Teo also mentioned midfielder Zulfahmi Arifin would be ruled out for another four weeks, and that Shafiq Ghani could be in the lineup next weekend. Tampines head coach Gavin Lee spoke following his side’s defeat: “I think up till 2-2, the performance was quite decent. After that, our brain state was not positive enough to continue maintaining our level of performance and that was the biggest issue.” Coach Gavin Lee also remained coy about expectations of AFC Cup qualification. “I don’t think we are looking that far. We should take it one game at a time to get better in that sense,” he said. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Writer’s Assessment Tampines switched to a three-man defence following a 4-2 defeat to Tanjong Pagar in May, as manager Gavin Lee aimed to achieve more stability in possession. Yet the Stags’ biggest shortfall lies in the absence of a quality holding midfielder able to screen the defence and yet have the ability to retain the ball under high-pressure situations. Kyoga Nakamura was a stand-out performer in a deep midfield role today, consistently progressing the ball forward and acting as a bridge between defence and attack, but Nakamura’s technical ability could have been more useful in the final third; further up the pitch. Coach Gavin however said about Nakamura: “Kyoga is capable of doing both (playing as an offensive and defensive midfielder) but he’s got a lot more success deeper than higher up.” Tampines have only kept one clean sheet out of the 17 league matches they have played this season. The central-defensive trio of Irfan Najeeb, Shuya Yamashita, and Ryaan Sanizal have now started two consecutive league games together – this defensive combination was only used once previously in five matches due to fitful injuries – which can help create a more cohesive defence despite Sanizal’s error today. There is only so much coach Gavin can do to get the most out of a razor-thin and inexperienced squad. Tampines have outlined their commitment to the future by handing out unprecedented five-year contracts and signing a host of young players to supplement key areas in the squad. The Stags faithful will have to be patient for results to show, as coach Gavin is silently spearheading a shift in philosophy at Tampines Rovers in his trademark unassuming way. Hougang turned their season around after reverting to a four-man defence following a humbling 5-0 defeat to Albirex in June. However, losing Singapore international Zulfahmi Arifin to injury has been a big blow in midfield, as Hougang remain vulnerable in the defensive phase. The Cheetahs were unable to close out a one-goal lead against Geylang, as the Eagles were able to break-down Hougang’s 4-5-1 defensive block to score two late goals. Hougang’s attack has also been predictable – progression of the ball has been slightly too flank-oriented – as they struggle to get the ball into areas of the pitch where quality chances can be created. Coach Clement Teo and assistant Firdaus Kassim have transformed Hougang’s footballing model from a reactive-based counter-attacking system into a possession-based system where the focus is on using the ball to move opposition players around – creating spaces for forwards to attack. Though the journey has been far from smooth, Hougang’s uptake in form has proven there is some merit to this new philosophy. As the local club with arguably the most resources in the league besides the Sailors, this could be the most viable route for Hougang to sustainably challenge for the title in the seasons to come. AIA Singapore Premier League 2022 Other Match Week 18 Results Albirex Niigata 4-2 Lion City Sailors Fri, 29 July 2022, Jurong East Stadium Tanjong Pagar United 0-5 Geylang International Sat, 30 July 2022, Jurong East Stadium Balestier Khalsa vs Young Lions Sun, 31 July 2022, Toa Payoh Stadium #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

Decathlon’s people-first digital innovation nexus will offer a collaborative working environment that will house Decathlon’s teams as well as industry partners and students PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 7 July 2022 – In its pursuit to make sports and healthier lifestyles more accessible and convenient for Singaporeans and beyond, Decathlon unveils Data Lab. The 700 square metres purpose-built innovation nexus will consolidate Decathlon Singapore’s efforts in the development of new digital services for Decathlon International as well as incubate data projects in collaboration with partners such as Sport Singapore, various research agencies, and schools. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Located within the Kallang Alive district, the Decathlon Data Lab sits at the intersection of a growing number of sporting and community facilities that is part of an effort to strengthen the district’s standing as an inclusive sports precinct, outlined in the Kallang Alive Masterplan. More Than Just Retail With people at its core, Decathlon Singapore forges ahead to provide a collaborative working environment that will house Decathlon’s teams such as data experts, software developers and designers, network and security team, innovation teams as well as industry partners and students. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Projects and ideas initiated at Decathlon Data Lab will be tested in the adjacent Decathlon Singapore Lab store, and subsequently introduced to other Decathlon stores in Singapore and beyond. Thanks to this dedicated facility and its close proximity to the flagship store, the Data Lab seeks to attract and bring about synergy among talents in the technology sector – welcoming partners and young talents to set up base and work together in the drive for innovation within the sporting and retail sectors. PHOTO: DECATHLON SINGAPORE Decathlon’s Innovations Starting out as an e-commerce sports retailer in Singapore, Decathlon Singapore became one of the pioneers in the omnichannel approach with the establishment of their first experience store at Bedok in 2016. Since then, Decathlon Singapore has developed and tested a number of retail innovations with the opening of Decathlon Singapore Lab in 2019, including the RFID inventory robot which has been deployed to more than 120 stores worldwide, 100% self-checkout kiosks with cashless payments, and the RFID-based conveyor system that enables our 2-hour islandwide e-commerce fulfilment activities. PHOTO: DECATHLON SINGAPORE In addition to this, Decathlon Singapore also developed and launched a localised Decathlon mobile app in 2020, which became instrumental in adapting quickly to the major shift in consumer needs and purchasing patterns owing to the global pandemic. Continuing the Innovative Spirit With a proven innovation record, Decathlon Singapore continues to lead the way with the purpose-built Decathlon Data Lab – offering teammates and partners a conducive environment to suit various working styles, and encouraging spontaneous collaborations between teammates and partners alike. PHOTO: DECATHLON SINGAPORE Decathlon worked hand-in-hand with workplace design firm Conexus Studio to conceptualise, design, and build the project in 3 months. The colourful graffiti design adorning the entrance and walls of the Data Lab encapsulates Decathlon’s energetic spirit that challenges norms while establishing new frontiers in sports, technology, and business. An incubator area welcomes technology partners to collaborate and run on-ground trials at Singapore Lab and presents the opportunity to team up with young technology students hungry to gain real world experience. More details on the programmes will be shared at a later time. Data aspirations for possible collaborations Decathlon strives to further the growth of the region’s sport scene on a larger scale in collaboration with SportSG. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The partnership will leverage the respective expertise of Decathlon and SportSG to achieve a common goal of increasing the accessibility of sport and physical activity to the community. Together, Decathlon’s Data Lab and SportSG’s Data Hub will harness and analyse data to improve the way programmes are designed and inform the development of facilities to serve the needs of the local sport and fitness ecosystem. This relationship will represent a move towards fulfilling joint aspirations in extending the value of sport and inspiring people to increase their participation in sport and physical activity across different life stages. The goal is to encourage individuals to achieve the recommended amount of physical activity in the Singapore Physical Activity Guidelines for better health and wellbeing. PHOTO: DECATHLON SINGAPORE Expanding Team To support its expansion, diversification, and innovation in their pursuit to encourage more Singaporeans to discover new sports and develop the love for an active lifestyle, Decathlon Singapore is recruiting new teammates for more than 80 positions. Both full-time and part-time positions are available for sports enthusiasts who are keen to promote the love for sports with Decathlon by leading and developing fun sporting events and initiatives and helping to guide customers along on their sporting journey. Decathlon also welcomes applications from persons with disabilities who maintain an active lifestyle and are keen to join the team in encouraging and promoting an active lifestyle for all. #SportPlusSG #ActiveWear #DecathlonSingapore #DataLab

A first-of-its-kind integrated training facility in Singapore, the Training Centre will act as a vehicle to drive professional development in auxiliary sporting industries, and support national initiatives like Unleash the Roar! and ActiveSG Academy PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS Singapore, 28 July 2022 – The Lion City Sailors Training Centre was officially opened earlier this evening, with club Chairman Mr Forrest Li joined by Guest of Honour, Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law at the opening ceremony at 8 Mattar Road. This is the first-of-its-kind integrated football training facility in Singapore. The Training Centre that features physiotherapy rooms, a gym, an analysis room as well as study facilities for academy trainees alongside five top-of-the-line football fields, is the new home of the Sailors first team, Under-21 side, academy trainees as well as its women’s team. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS A tangible manifestation of the Sailors vision The training centre is the most tangible manifestation of the Sailors’ commitment to excellence as the club drives towards its vision of reinvigorating Singapore football. In addition to providing the club with a sturdy platform to launch the next phase of its growth, the Training Centre will facilitate the establishment of a pipeline of footballers as it aims to boost youth development as part of the national project: “Unleash the Roar!” (UTR!). “This training centre is a symbol of our commitment to revitalising local football, and to pursuing excellence for the Lion City Sailors, now and in the future. We built this centre because infrastructure is the basis of any good ecosystem,” said club Chairman Mr Forrest Li. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS “Singapore’s urban planning shows how excellent infrastructure can lay the foundation of a thriving society and economy – and it is the same with football. We are excited to be a part of the UTR! initiative announced by SportSG and the FAS, which has infrastructure and youth development as two of its key pillars,” he added. “We hope this training centre pushes the football scene a bit further along that journey.” PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS A vehicle for the larger sporting fraternity In line with the objectives of UTR! there is a clear national drive to create opportunities for more young Singaporean boys and girls to undergo structured high-quality football training, with talent pathways for those who aspire to play professionally. This perfectly aligns with the vision of the Sailors, with the Training Centre poised to act as an effective development platform. The Sailors are hosting sessions for the Sailors Development Centre that is a part of the ActiveSG Football Academy, while also providing an avenue for the development of talent in auxiliary sporting industries like sports medicine, physiotherapy, and strength and conditioning. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS A beacon of community cohesion in MacPherson The Lion City Sailors Training Centre is designed to support more than just elite sports. The facility includes a viewing area for the public, a café, as well as community-friendly spaces where grassroots activities for residents of MacPherson can be hosted. These features come as part of the facility’s secondary goal to serve and support the residents in the community, with the aim of bringing greater vibrancy and cohesion to the MacPherson community as an inclusive sports hub in the neighbourhood. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS “Our thanks go to MacPherson, Ms Tin Pei Ling, and the community as a whole for welcoming us so warmly into Mattar. At the end of the day, anything we do on the field means little without the passion of our fans and support from our community,” said Mr Li, pointing to the Sailors’ efforts in MacPherson that have already kicked off even before the official opening of the Training Centre. The Sailors collaborated with grassroots organisations in MacPherson for its Grant-a-wish initiative in November 2021, further solidifying the partnership by collaborating for the MacPherson Cares Carnival last weekend, on 24 July. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS “Our hope is to bring people together through football, giving people of all ages and backgrounds something to unite around. We will continue to work closely with our community partners on fun and exciting initiatives for residents,” added Mr Li. “These are still the early days, but we are in this for the long haul. I have been happy to see the Sailors take steady steps in our first two years, and look to the future with great optimism.” #SportPlusSG #Football #LionCitySailors

Music lovers will come away feeling inspired with carefully curated workouts at HAUS Athletics designed to help you break boundaries PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Priding themselves in providing a space to be the spark for self betterment, HAUS Athletics is a community that looks to inspire others to live a better life through HIIT workouts founded on three core pillars of music, movements and experience. Score a big win for HAUS in this area, particularly for music lovers! Simple and effective movement so you achieve results fast. Simply the workout where art and science come together. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Citing "delivering an experience" as a key aspect of HAUS Athletics' DNA, founder Reagan Kang believes that in this era, exercise isn't just about exercise anymore. His team of trainers are all masters in their craft when it comes to delivering safe and effective workouts, with simple and effective movements that will help you achieve results fast - focusing on the merging of art and science coming together. HAUS Athletics carefully curates the workouts and movements to their clients, with the choice of music from its style and rhythm also designed to motivate its class members to break boundaries together. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG And the choice of a dark room removing any stigma that may come with working out under the bright lights of a studio, and moving together as a team leaving you feeling inspired and invigorated. HAUS Athletics offers 45-minute HIIT athletic based group fitness workout classes across two locations - OUE Downtown Gallery and Cross Street Exchange. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Their signature classes are: LEANOUT , which is a high intensity strength based workout, designed to rapidly build strength and tone your body fast - utilising dumbbells, sandbags and body weight exercises MELTDOWN, which is more cardiovascular based, designed to rapidly burn fat and increase your fitness levels fast, with exercises using medicine balls, sliders and explosive bodyweight movements KORE , strengthening you from within using load, stability and flexibility exercises to work on your functional strength and core definition. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG They have a comprehensive array of offerings from online to offline with SWEAT PACKAGES ranging from $15 for a single online class to $2,600 for 100 classes with an 18 month expiry date, a package that is shareable so you don't need to worry about not being able to expend all the credits if you wish to share with a friend. HAUS Athletics Website https://hausathletics.com.sg/ Opening Hours Monday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:15 pm-9:00 pm Tuesday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:15 pm-9:00 pm Wednesday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:15 pm-9:00 pm Thursday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:15 pm-9:00 pm Friday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:15 pm-9:00 pm Saturday: 9:30 am-4:00 pm Sunday: 9:30 am-4:30 pm Contact Details PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG HAUS Athletics OUE Address: OUE Downtown Gallery, 6a Shenton Way, #02-03, Singapore 068815 HAUS Athletics Cross Street Address: # B1-121, 18 Cross Street, Singapore, 048423 #SPORTPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #HAUSAthletics #GameOn

Life in the fitness industry a natural choice for former multi-sport athlete turned Group Fitness instructor PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG She dipped her toes into a variety of sports during her school days - perhaps a little more than most. From track and field to football, basketball, and dragonboat; Sakinah Fatimus has done it all. It was therefore not surprising that sport and fitness would continue to play a major part in her life beyond school. But it was from an unlikely route that she stumbled her way into group fitness. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "I was nearing the end of my university days, that's when I tried boxing. It was a solo sport, and I realised I could do it at my own time and at my pace," she said. From there she delved into group fitness, and that's where she was introduced to HAUS Athletics, Uppercut Boxing and now Ground Zero, where she teaches at. "My mom asked me to try boxing since it's what my dad used to do, but my dad didn't want me to box because he said it's dangerous and that was how he wrecked his nose," she chuckled. "I tried it anyway, and I loved it." PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG When asked what was her greatest passion outside of fitness, she replied: "I like to read and write a lot. If I am not engaging in any group fitness lessons, I just like to zone out, and do some reading and writing. That really helps me to pace myself - and I try to do it every single day." And it is little wonder why she needs her regular doses of "me time", to unwind and recharge given the regularity with which she has to raise her energy levels when teaching each of her classes. "I honestly think it's more of a mental thing than anything else. Usually before each class I will mentally prepare myself, and envision what I want to say and how I want to lead the class. So when the mic is on it's GAME ON!" PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Having taught across a wide array of fitness genres, it wasn't easy for Sakinah to pick out a favourite - but if she had to choose one genre she enjoys teaching the most, it would be Spinning. "I enjoy teaching Spin (cycle) the most. There is a lot of freedom and creativity there, and it's just very exhilirating - the energy from the crowd is insane. You get their response, and you get everyone moving as one," she replied. "That's something i've not really seen in other fitness spaces." PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Workouts wise, she still likes boxing and the ones at HAUS Athletics, which she feels are incredibly empowering. "I love workouts at HAUS because it is so empowering - you really put your whole body at work," she added. "There is always a step up. maybe today you do cardio, next day you do strength, and then the next day you do core." Sakinah also encouraged beginners starting out on their fitness journeys to worry less about the workouts and focus more on having fun. 'You can always tell your instructors that you need help because you haven't worked out for a long time, they will probably give you regressions," she said. "At the end of the day you need to stress less and enjoy yourself. It's about the music, the community, and the movement." #SportPlusSG #Fitness #HAUSAthletics #SingaporeGyms

Sailors call on samba magic from Pedro to secure all 3 points against the Stags PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 24 July 2022 - Following two draws in their last two games, Lion City Sailors were looking to change their fortunes with a win against Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The last time these two teams faced each other, the Sailors went away with all 3 points in an entertaining 4-0 win, with Tampines showing a positive start in the first half with their high-intensity play. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Both sets of fans came up with their strong voices to cheer their teams on in a must-win game for both groups of players. Lion City Sailors make five changes to the team that drew with Geylang International last week with their big names Kim Shin Wook, Maxime Lestienne and Gabriel Quak on the substitute bench with Kim Do Hoon looking to the likes of Diego Lopes, Faris Ramli and Haiqal Pashia to get the job done. More match photos from the Lion City Sailors vs Tampines Rovers match available in our photo gallery here. The Stags also made wholesale changes to their starting eleven that faced Young Lions in their 5-2 win at Our Tampines Hub. Taufik Suparno and Irwan Shah made the bench as coach Gavin Lee set his team up to go on the attack from the very first whistle. That was to be the case as the Stags looked the more confident out of the two sides from the get-go, with the game plan being to close down the space and ensure that the ball was always in the opponent's half. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Most of their attacks came down the left wing with Christopher Van Huizen looking to get to the byline and feed crosses for the head of Kopitovic. However, the crosses never seemed to reach their mark as they kept flying over the head of the tall striker. Tampines were made to pay for those missed crosses in the 30th minute. Shahdan Sulaiman found himself with a free kick on the far left-hand corner of the Stag’s penalty box. The Singapore International delivered a perfectly weighted cross that found the head of Song UiYoung, who perfectly guided his header past the outreaching Syazwan Buhari, who could do nothing but watch the ball nestle into the top right-hand corner of the net. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG There were calls for offside, but Kopitovic’s lack of defensive discipline played everyone onside. 1-0 to the boys in white, and the sense of déjà vu started to creep into the travelling supporters' minds. Diego Lopes nearly got himself on the scoresheet when he found himself on the receiving end of a stray ball and with Buhari off his line. The Tampines Rover’s keeper wouldn’t let that happen as he scrambled back to his goal line just in time to push Lopes’s delicate lob past his left-hand post. The Sailors went into the half 1-0 up, but as we all know, a one-goal lead is nothing in a football game. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG There wasn’t any change of pace in the second half from both teams, and Tampines kept pushing for their equaliser while Lion City Sailors were doing their level best to maintain control of the ball. Substitutions were always essential with this kind of pace, which proved to be the case as Gavin Lee made sure that his team’s pace would never slow down. The Tampines Rovers’ coach brought Irwan Shah and Taufik Suparno in the 63rd and 73rd minute, respectively, to good effect. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG In the 77th minute, Irwan Shah played a perfectly weighted low pass down the line for Taufik to chase. The number 13 forward outpaced Amirul Adli on the left-hand side and slotted the ball underneath an oncoming Hassan Sunny, who saw the ball roll into the net to make it 1-1. That goal is Taufik’s 7th of the season which surpasses his previous season’s goal tally of 6th. The Stags nearly produced the comeback of the season when Irwan Shah burst down the left wing and drilled a low cross into the box for Kopitovic to finish. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Hassan Sunny was on hand to eliminate the danger, and you tend to wonder that it just wasn’t going to be Kopitovic’s night. Coach Kim made two changes after that, with Maxime Lestienne and Kin Shin Wook coming into the frame to get that winning goal that the Sailors desired. The match took a turn for the worst when substitute Nur Adam clashed with Gavin Lee to get the ball off the Rovers manager’s hands. This sparked a clash between players and staff from both sides. Kim Do Hoon looked to have head-butted Mustafic Fahrudin and was shown a yellow card by referee Ahmad A’Qashah. 4th official Abirami Naidu had her day cut out for her as she had to deal with two passionate teams that were driven by the adrenaline sent from the crowd. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG With every drama, there must always be an epic outcome. It happened in the 93rd minute when Lestienne found the ball at his feet following a pass from Shahdan Sulaiman on his favourable left-hand side. The Belgian matched very well with Diego Lopes with a quick give and go that saw the substitute delivering a low pass into the middle of the box for the big man, Pedro Henrique! The Brazilian defender smashed the ball into the roof of the net as the Tampines defenders dropped to their knees. Heartbreak for the Stags but bliss for the Sailors, who took a 2-1 lead with less than two minutes to play. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Referee Ahmad A’Qashah blew the final whistle to the rapturous applause and cheers from the home fans to signify a 2-1 for the Sailors, who ended the winless drought. The game brought out so much passion and excitement on and off the pitch even after the final whistle as we saw both teams going head to head again, with Coach Kim Do Hoon being the centre of attention together with Yasir Hanapi and Boris Kopitovic. We never like to see such ugly scenes after the game, but with the circumstances of how intense the game was and how important the result is to both teams, tension is bound to pour over. I, for one, loved how both sets of players were making their feelings known. You wish there wasn’t a final whistle. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Lion City Sailors will face Albirex Niigata on Friday at the Jurong East Stadium, while Tampines Rovers look set to put this loss past them as they face Hougang United Football Club at Our Tampines Hub on Saturday. More match photos from the Lion City Sailors vs Tampines Rovers match available in our photo gallery here. #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

School Football Academy (SFA) footballers can look forward to more competitions, overseas training stints and football scholarships, on top of specialised training programmes led by Spanish and local coaches SFA Challenge Cup: Montfort Secondary School vs Assumption English School in action. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! Singapore, 23 July 2022 – The Unleash The Roar! (UTR!) national football project marked a significant milestone today as the School Football Academy (SFA) initiative was officially launched at Jurongville Secondary School, one of the 10 SFAs. Officially launched by Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, more than 100 young footballers were joined by their parents for a morning of friendly competition featuring teams from all SFAs. The SFA initiative was first announced last November following a partnership with Spanish top-tier league LaLiga. Under the partnership, LaLiga coaches, working alongside local coaches, will seek to uplift and strengthen the football programmes in the schools. Opening Address by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! Among the key features of the programme are increased training frequencies – up to four times a week from the average of two - and the application of sports science to training. (The list of the 10 SFAs is available in Annex A of the attached release.) The SFAs will serve as a key pipeline to produce technically sound footballers at the crucial ages of 17 and 18, when most footballers begin their professional careers. SFA footballers will be schooled under the National Football Curriculum where they will learn to adopt a possession-based, high-tempo playing style that is suited for success in today’s modern game. Through the SFA programme, the number of young players receiving elite training at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels is set to increase to about 1,400 secondary school boys and girls, close to triple the current 500. Currently, the SFA programme only features boys. But female SFAs are set to come on stream next year. SFA Challenge Cup: Singapore Sport School vs Jurongville Secondary School. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! Said Mr Eric Chua, Chairman of the UTR! Executive Committee and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth: “The SFAs are one of the most important building blocks in the UTR! programme – we can only have strong national teams if we have a broad base of players to choose from, as well as young athletes who have sound fundamental skills. This is one of the key strategies of Unleash The Roar! - to strengthen the youth football development ecosystem for both boys and girls. “Our SFAs provide young footballers with more training and opportunities to pit themselves against the best. Beyond the pitch, these student-athletes will also get the full support of their school when it comes to academic study. They will learn more about balancing sport and school work, receiving a holistic secondary school education that will build character and instill valuable life skills. Today’s launch marks a step forward for Singapore football, and we look forward to celebrating more of such milestones.” Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Chairman of the Unleash The Roar! Executive Committee at the SFA Challenge Cup with students of Assumption English School. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! Coaching: Spanish flair with a local touch At the launch, parents and stakeholders had a chance to meet SFA coaches who have been quietly working behind the scenes with the student athletes. A total of 23 coaches, who have extensive experience in coaching and developing youth talent, started training students since January this year. These coaches have previous roles leading and managing youth teams across several age groups in Spain, China, Indonesia and Singapore. All 23 coaches are full-time football coaches, as well as specialist coaches who provide support in the areas of strength & conditioning and goalkeeping. SFA Head Coach Angel Toledano Flores is one of the Spanish coaches who has decided to take up the Singapore challenge. A former Head Coach and Technical Director of FC Barcelona’s academies in Spain and overseas, Flores is excited about the project. Group photo with Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Chairman of the Unleash The Roar! Executive Committee; with Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! He said: “I have spent some time working with the SFA students here, and their passion and commitment to improving themselves is commendable. This is a good start in developing football here. “I am also excited with the comprehensive approach where I work collectively with all coaches, teachers and sports scientists to help these young footballers fulfil their dreams. It is a privilege to be able to play an important part in raising the standards of Singapore football among the youth.” Former international Ismail Yunos is part of the Singaporean core of the SFA. The AFF Championship winner feels that the SFA setup will not only be a boost for the young footballers but also local coaches. SFA Challenge Cup: Montfort Secondary School vs Assumption English School. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! He said: “The process of lifting the standards of football requires cooperation and learning from others. It is important that we acquire the best practices in football coaching to improve Singapore football. The coaches from Spain have been great in sharing their knowledge with us. Not only will the SFA coaching setup help our youth, but it will also uplift the overall football coaching standards in Singapore.” While it may be early days in a long-term project like the SFA, there has already been some impact made.Montfort Secondary School reached the National School Games North Zone B Division football final for the very first time. Said Montfort SFA’s midfielder Jairus Owl: “I have learnt to be more disciplined and to manage my time better, thanks to being part of the SFA programme. We are training more frequently than before, but we also learnt how to take charge of our own recovery and nutrition. My teammates and I are consciously doing this so that we stay focused on the field and in class. This has helped us play better football and I am proud of our team for reaching the zonal finals this year.” Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Chairman of the Unleash The Roar! Executive Committee, Jurongville Secondary School students Muhammad Nur Syazwi Bin Azman and Zahira Jahan, and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! Strengthening Pathways: A double boost Under the SFA programme, players will get to play more matches and regularly compete with both local and international teams. To that end, a tournament involving SFAs is being planned for early next year and it will be played at the National Stadium. Said UTR! Executive Committee Chairman Mr Eric Chua: “Giving our aspiring athletes more opportunities to compete at the National Stadium is one of SportSG's plans when we take over the running of the Sports Hub in December. Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Chairman of the Unleash The Roar! Executive Committee at the SFA Challenge Cup_Montfort Secondary School vs Assumption English School. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! “We want our young footballers to build an affinity with the National Stadium, to be inspired to hopefully one day play for the Lions in front of the home crowd.” SFA footballers will also get a boost later this year - the first batch of the brightest SFA talents will be heading for an overseas training stint. This is part of plans to have a multi-faceted scholarship programme that will not only send the best footballers for short-term attachments, but also explore longer-term footballscholarships. More details of the SFA scholarship programme will be announced by the end of this year. Such plans were welcomed by parents such as former international Baihakki Khaizan, whose son Mika is at the ACS (Barker) SFA. Said Baihakki: “For us as parents, it’s very reassuring to learn of these plans and opportunities that are available for our children. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! “As a former player, I am glad that even at this young age, Mika is getting the sports science and analytics help that is often reserved for professional athletes. “Such support will go a long way in helping our children progress as footballers, but of course, they must also find that motivation from within to stay the course and be committed. For young athletes, the opportunity to compete at venues as grand as the National Stadium can also help provide that extra spark of inspiration and give them a vision to aspire towards.” In addition to football, student athletes in the SFA will benefit from a holistic educational experience, ensuring that these footballers balance their football and academic commitments. In addition to developing players’ technical skills, the SFA curriculum also emphasises character development such as teamwork, responsibility, discipline and time management. Jurongville Secondary School principal Mr Chan Yew Wooi said: “Our school has a proud history of achievements in our football CCA. The SFA programme allows us to provide a more comprehensive developmental programme that sharpens the technical skills of our students and shapes their whole-person development. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! “The SFA programme is thus aligned with our school’s focus on developing our students’ strengths and interests, and equipping them with what they would need to do good and do well in future. “Our 'C' division boys have benefited from the expertise of the professional coaches. On the field, they are playing with greater cohesion, fitness and intelligence. Off the field, their behaviour is guided by the expectation that they exemplify our P.R.I.D.E values, namely, Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Empathy. We are confident that through the Programme our boys will become thinking footballers, committed students and contributing citizens.” #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup #Football #SportsEvents