Blue is the color

(picture: zimbio.com)

Like many of you, some of the girls in the team stayed up to watch their favorite team in action on the final day of the English Premier League. Unfortunately for the Manchester United fans, the ribbons of the trophy was covered in blue and white instead.

With the title back in hand, it was a joy for the Chelsea fans and a sad season for Manchester United fans who missed out by only a point! But can Chelsea retain the title for the seasons to come?

"If they consistently perform with the standard they did for this season, they can retain it. Nevertheless, Chelsea fans must too believe that they can do it again!", says Jannah, a strong Chelsea fan.

Of course, Manchester United fans as well, would want to win the title back but what do they need? Sheu, a die-hard Manchester United fan shares with us:

"Manchester United can win back the title! They must have faith and persistence and keep working hard towards winning the title back. However, this depends on every individual in the team."

So, who ever said that there were no Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool fans in the team?

There we have it! The blog would like to thank Jannah and Sheu for their time and......as the EPL season ends, training goes on for the team!

Back to work!

Erm yes, the team is back to work both off the field and on the field!

The team's official training started yesterday and the new girls had their first taste of tough training as they prepare and fight for their spot in the Oct/Nov POL-ITE 2010 Games! As usual, the team started out with some stamina work through running rounds, followed up by warm up and all the ball work. The team went back to working on their basics, from passing to heading. Training ended with yet another 2 sided game.

In addition, there will be a new team on the block called the Recreational Team! For those who did not make it to the team, they will be in this team and if they do well, they too, will get into the competitive team! As the v-captain mentioned, "Fret not and it's not the end!" Of course, they will also be training on the same days as the competitive team just that, they will be training separately.

So that's all we have for you from the first official team training! Watch this space for more updates!

Try-outs Session #2

Right! So, yesterday was the 2nd try out session and we had a few more new fresh(wo)men who came down for the session. It's definitely good to know that there are more females who would like to play the game of soccer!

Again, the new girls team went up against the current Team Republic WST in an 11-a-side game. Players were switched and subbed here and there to see who could play in which position.

All in all, it was another great try out session with new friends made and with yet another couple of new players who were shortlisted by the Coach. In all, there were about 10 names!

Training officially begins next week as the players all begin their quest for the annual POL-ITE!

Before we end, Congratulations to those who were shortlisted and welcome to the Team! As for the rest, do not hesitate and there is always the following year! So practise hard, train hard and you'll never know what's in for you!

Here we go!

The field after the try out and games.

Try-outs!!

Every year, Team Republic's WST holds try out for fresh(wo)men who would like to try out for the team. As the saying goes, there's always a first try for everything.

On the first try out session yesterday, the team had 19 girls who came to show their skills! There were strikers, midfielders, defenders and.......most importantly, there was a national U-19 keeper who came as well!

As usual, the 19 new girls teamed up had spar against the current Team Republic WST in an 11-a-side game. It was an interesting match to watch (though we don't know how long each half lasted) and to see what skills everyone had to offer on the field. At the end of the game, Team Republic WST came up winners against the Team New Girls. But again, it's not about the score but more about the experience gained and knowledge shared.

The field during pre-try-out.

Fi (#6) makes a pass in pre-try-out to Wana (top).

Team Republic WST in action against the new girls (in black).

Both teams in action.

All in all, the first try out session was concluded and a few names were shortlisted by the Coach! The second try out session starts tomorrow and let's see if we can spot more talents and skills from more new players!

We also need to hope that the weather God will provide some good weather!

Cambodia's Calling: Part 3

It's been a week and definitely, you, yes you, behind your screens, must have been waiting for the final part! Here you go!

Iffa carrying one of the kids with all her strength!

Everyone with smiles, after quenching their thirst in a hot weathered Cambodia!

Off the field, these Cambodian girls are hair plait masters! Iffa and Nurdinee definitely enjoyed it.

Yatie and Iffa pose proudly with their medals.

After yet another hard day at work, our photographer, Nurdinee poses with a huge grin with her well-earned medal too!

So, all in all, a great trip all around and while it is always sad to leave, Shasha and Yatie would definitely love to give back more to the kids, if there was more time as Yatie put it:

"If I were to be more prepared, I would bring along nursery English books to be given to them. Education is the greatest gift to me, and I would love to impart it permanently into them."

As for Shasha, her greatest gift would be:

"If I were to choose one gift, I would choose to give them a soccer ball. Simply because football is the reason we met, we communicate and have fun through the ball and love was being spread during the process. "

That's all we have for you from this trip! For now, the team is back to school and soon, training will resume! Any great news, we'll keep you posted!