An open letter to Lady-Sprinters-who-Torture-your-Calves-at-Sesuai-on-the-Weekends

 

 

Dear Lady-Sprinters-who-Torture-your-Calves-at-Sesuai-on-the-Weekends (LSWTYCASOTW),

 

I’m worried that if I see another gyelfie (gym selfie), I might end up ripping my new Nike tights out of fear of your gym intensity. In the case I do not rip my tights, I usually find the next new cafe in town and order a cuppa ice latte to make myself feel better about how I spend my time. Recently, you tell me that you’re feeling lazy, as if you did not do ten sets of Pris prescribed-scissors-split-lunge-dynamic-plank-mountain-man-burpee-sprints circuit training the night before. Thanks for sharing, the feeling is mutual.

 

Don’t misunderstand me, LSWTYCASOTW, what you’re doing is admirable. However, I am confused because you all seem so high-performance, but I can’t keep my heart rate up at 180. I’ve realised that if I go any further than 160, something terrible is going to happen. Especially when we hit the fourth lamp post and Jelvin tells you its only a third through…your other Lady Sprinters trailing behind tell you to, “keep going”, “you’re almost there” and “don’t stop”.

 

The thought of never stopping only makes me think of the time we went to Holland V to take part in Yoshimaru’s Ramen Challenge and you told me that “I [couldn’t] stop now, now that [I’ve] gone too far”. The second and third bowl felt like eternity. I get that the Sesuai sprints are supposed to train my endurance, but I’m struggling to endure the last eight sets on the slope.

 

Sometimes I wonder, are there other Lady Sprinters out there who dare to join you in torturing your calves at Sesuai on Weekends, and find my answers in Wookie’s gaze out to the empty field. I’d be lying if I said we don’t compare calve sizes when we see each other. We’re Lady Sprinters after all.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dragged kicking but soon to be LSWTYCASOTW

BRFC 2014 Interview: Marian

Blackswrugby: Firstly, what made you want to pick up this sport?

Marian: During my secondary school days, some of my friends and I used to go down old PA to support our church boys during their B Division games. Watching how the boys gave their all, how the sport unites people together, and how it can be so rich in culture made me realize that this is not just a sport but something that can move big things. I started out with touch rugby in my poly days and started to appreciate the game even more.


Blackswrugby: What position do you play and what do you like about it?

Marian: For this season, i'm playing as a Flanker (i'm usually a winger). i like this position because it gives me a 'hunter' kind of feeling and challenges me to make all my tackles count.


Blackswrugby: If you could play any one position of your choice, what would it be and why?

Marian: hmm. Scrum-half? the scrum-half in Blacks are v inspiring!


Blackswrugby: Do you play any other sports besides rugby?

Marian: Used to bowl competitively...


Blackswrugby: What do you like to do in your free time?

Marian: Many things! If i can, more Artsy stuff like spending more time in music, photography, etc...


Blackswrugby: Trainings can be tough at times, what motivates you?

Marian: To be able to play the position well so that during the game, i can perform my best for the team. Also the amount of heart, time and effort that our coach / coach-player seniors have sacrificed to win the Championships motivates me.


Blackswrugby: Are your friends and family supportive of you playing rugby?

Marian: Not so much of my family because of the time it takes away from them, and my mother thinks its a very dangerous sport.


Blackswrugby: How would you describe your experience playing rugby, so far?

Marian: I think rugby has proven alot of 'life lessons' to be true. Being persistent, determined and committed to fitness/trngs do make a difference in your performance and the results from your efforts are clear. Sometimes i think that there are so many things that i can't do, but when thrown in the situation, with the support of your teammates and the right amount of pressure to perform, you might surprise yourself at times. Rugby is really not just a competitive sport but a learning journey to experience with your teammates.

BRFC 2014 Interview: Tao Jing

Blackwrugby: How long have you been playing rugby?

Tao: I think I started in Poly second year, when I was 17 or 18. So I've been playing for about 10 years.


Blackwrugby: Dream position?

Tao: I don't have one. I like what I'm playing now.


Blackwrugby: What do you find most challenging about rugby?

Tao: To look like a winger when you are a prop facing a winger with the ball, or to be able to look like the fastest player on the field when facing a backline


Blackwrugby: What do your students think about you playing rugby?

Tao: They'll be like 'wahhhh', and some boys will imitate rugby tackles and try to do it in front of me. But when I pretend to dash at them they'll run away. Sometimes there are kids who are interested to take up rugby and they ask me more about it.


Blackwrugby: Pre game meal/ritual?

Tao: I'll do visualisation the night before, watch some videos of big hits, and try to drink enough water. I'll make sure I eat enough food haha. More carbs, like pasta or rice.


Blackwrugby: Favourite post game meal?

Tao: Hawker food, like those from Newton. Ba chor mee, bbq chicken wings, fried oyster omelette, carrot cake, popiah, hokkien mee…


Blackwrugby: Favourite moment shared with your Blacks team mates?

Tao: Last year, when we regained the 15s title and Chongfu came back to coach us.


Blackwrugby: Name one country you’d love to play rugby in? 

Tao: New Zealand.

BRFC 2014 Interview: Jia Yu

Blackswrugby: When and how did your start playing rugby? 

Jiayu: I started playing touch when I was in junior college from 2007-2008. After I graduated from jc, I thought I'd pick up rugby because I'd like to know what 'real' rugby felt like!


Blackswrugby: What positions have you played before and which is the position that you enjoy playing the most? 

Jiayu: I've played winger and centre. I enjoy playing centre because you sort of get the best of both worlds, I get to crash and run plays/moves at the same time.


Blackswrugby: We know that there'e many memorable moments in BRFC. Pls share with us just 1 moment, be it on or off the field, that you cannot forget 4eva.... 

Jiayu: Hmmm very difficult to just pick one moment. But it's definitely the times where we make the finals and win the finals in any tournament, even if I'm not involved in it, it's just the sense of pride, the commitment, blood, sweat and tears that the team puts in to emerge on top is something remarkable and a feeling/memory that I'd never want to lose because it's what drives us!


Blackswrugby: What are the injuries and how did you pick yourself up and continue the love for the brutal and yet beautiful game? 

Jiayu: I've picked up 2 knee injuries from the last few years of playing rugby. The more severe one would be a torn ACL in my left knee which required surgery. I stuck to rehab and was determined to get well mainly because I felt like I'm not ready to give up the game yet, mainly the love for the game and the great team camardarie of Blacks motivated me very much. Also there are many other girls in the team who've bounced back from torn ACLs as well, so their success stories also made me feel like it was possible for me to get back into the game!


Blackswrugby: We all know that BRFC has come a loonggg way, how would you describe BRFC ?

Jiayu: We are made up of committed, passionate and fun-loving individuals!


Blackswrugby: Describe Rugby in 1 word. FANTABULOUS~

Jiayu: Any random super power that you wish to have? Read minds perhaps?


Blackswrugby: If you could do 1 thing to change the world, what would that be?

Jiayu: Not sure what I can do to achieve this but definitely less work and more fun hey!

BRFC 2014 Interview: Elly

Blackswrugby: Before you joined BRFC and contact rugby, did you have any expectations of what the sport would be like? Have they lived up to your expectations?

Elly: Sortof, because before I actually joined contact rugby I was just busying touching random strangers at turf city every Saturday morning during STL & WTL…which I often get penalized and forced-sub for my hard touches, hence I wanted to explore that (dark) side of me, and thought that contact rugby would be the next best thing.


Blackswrugby: Do you remember your first rugby training? When was that?

Elly: My first rugby training was actually during a SRU's Rugby Clinic that was introduced during my third year in Republic Poly.

Blackswrugby: Given a choice of 3 options, would rather
a)   Commit yourself to never ending sprint sessions that have been identified by 3 words - “behind the line.
b)   Sacrifice your body to countless full-on tackles as part of a defence drill comprising of blitz and blitz only defence pattern.
c)   Spend an infinite amount of time in mini-fabulous-grid, the size of 5m by 5m, with three others.

Elly: I would go with the infinite amount of time in mini-fabulous-grid, the size of 5m by 5m, with three others. Besides the fact that it highlights three fabulous player's team effort, we all know that after some hits, mini-grid makes everyone go cray cray and hungry for the try line. LOVE THE ADRENALINE!


Blackswrugby: What are your aspirations for the upcoming season and what words of advice do you have for newcomers of BRFC?

Elly:  For the upcoming season, I hope that regardless the results we have to promise to be pull through all the way till the final whistle and always remember that we've got each's back! My advice for the newer girls? Actually I just saw this in Instagram last night, on Splitspits' profile which I think is relevant to both new, young, old or ancient "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." -Stay Humble.


Blackswrugby: What is your favorite drink?

Elly: I love my Nata-de-cocosssssss


Blackswrugby: You look like you stepped out of an indie film. Describe your style and how they share similar attributes to the values you place when playing rugby.

Elly: Awwww... Staphhhh it you! I don't have a particular style; I'm pretty much your typical "lepak" Malay girl. I think in a way it may have helped me when under pressure in a game situation to be able to filter negative thoughts or trash talkers because the "lepak-ness" in me just can’t be bothered. My friends call me the selective listener.


Blackswrugby: What is the most embarrassing situation encountered during your time with BRFC?

Elly: Most embarrassing? Was believing that Radika was actually from Kenya! Kidding.... Maybe that one time when I wore my shirt inside out after training and throughout dinner no one told me that it was actually reverse.


Blackswrugby: How do you “tackle” stress and describe your most stressful period when playing rugby

Elly: Usually I will divert my focus on other stuff that I enjoy as well like listening to great music, catching up with old friends or just nua-ing all day long. Basically, I try not to over think about the stress too much but instead appreciate on another part of my life! My most stressful period its an annual occurrence because fitness and fasting don't rhyme for a reason.


Blackswrugby: Create, in 3 sentences, a motivational paragraph that describes your relationship with rugby or BRFC (stringing together lyrics from your favourite tunes.)

Elly: So La da, di, da, di, we like Black's Rugby, dancing with Shaoing. Doing whatever she wants. This is fitness, Back to the line! And we can't stop, And we won’t stop.


Blackswrugby: Can you sing it for me?

Elly: Anytime babe!

BRFC 2013 Interview: Adik

Blackswrugby: Congrats on becoming a Rugbymum recently! Please share with us any tell-tale rugby talents from your son? 

Adik: Azel has no reaction to pain. He loves to bang his head on his Dad's shoulders. He has very strong kicks. And he growls. Hahaha! 

Blackswrugby: With all the life experiences from a veteran rugger till a rugbymum, please give us some tips on how to have a good work-rugby-family-life balance!

Adik: I can't answer this question because I have stopped playing rugby. Training does take a lot of time because you have to do your own training on top of team training and having a son doesn't allow that. As a mom, you would want to spend as much time with your son especially in his developmental years.

Blackswrugby: fess up - your real name isn't Adik

Adik: The name came about because my elder sister and I came into Blacks at the same time and our names are very similar (Aslina & Aslinda). They decided to call us Kakak (elder sis) and Adik (younger sis) for convenience. The name stuck since then. Well, anyway I was the youngest in the club at that time so it fitted well. Hahahhaah!



Blackswrugby: Did you, like Ennie Toh and Kakak, come from the land before time?

Adik: I was a part of Blacks Angels, the first Black’s women’s team ever formed. Way before Ennie came into Blacks I think.



Blackswrugby: In another of our clumsy attempts to perform neat nifty footwork just like you - Did you write the pylometric sutra?

Adik: Haha, not exactly. I started off as a netball player and was playing very competitively at a national level where we did a lot of pylo work, more than we played the actual game itself. Compiled a lot since then.




Blackswrugby: Wonderkid image aside, have you had bad moments or faced any difficulties in your playing career? 

Adik: I guess it’s a phase everyone has to go through before reaching great heights. Yes, I was very fearful of the physical demands of the game. It took a lot of courage to do a tackle on someone in the initial stage. Trust me, I was very small when I first started. But when it gets fun and you grasp the concept of the game, it’s easy to work your way around it.

Bad moments in rugby - when you know you had your man, but you let her go because you weren’t fit enough to bring the bugger down. So I did fitness sessions to the point of madness. But the good part was that I didn’t have to do it alone. My teammates, the coach and the team manager were there; I did it because they made me realize I could do it, that I could finish. Never regretted my decision to play.



Blackswrugby: What’s your best rugby memory?

Adik: My rookie year in Hong Kong, 2001. We were playing against Thailand and I was playing scrumhalf. Was a very raw player at that time. Followed whatever my coach or teammates told me to do. Tabbie was stand off, and it was off a scrum where she kept calling “Adik!!!!!! I want the ball!! Give me a good ball!! Give me the ball!!!” I decided to pull a fast one. I picked up the ball and ran straight for the try. Got the rookie of the year award. Hahahah! Very exciting!



Blackswrugby: What has rugby taught you that netball didn’t?

Adik: Rugby has taught me that you don’t have to be tall and wear body suits to be good at the game. And of course, mental strength, it’s gotten me this far.



Blackswrugby: For curiosity’s sake…ever tried being a prop?

Adik: I tried hooking once, and it was my first and my last time. Hahahah! I was born with an abnormally crooked spine, this, I’m not joking. So technically, my back is not very strong. One of the nights at SPE, we worked on the scrum machine. My first hit on the machine was dramatic, because I couldn’t get up after that. Hahahah! Till now, you can ask Mr Tong, I still can’t get my back straight on the machine. It was a dreadful incident, but every time that I think about it, I will laugh at myself.



Blackswrugby: Any damage (physical or otherwise) sustained from either sport?

Adik: One thing I wish to emphasize to all the athletes out there is that injuries are inevitable in sports. But you can try to avoid it by preparing yourself physically and doing all the required conditioning needed. A lesson learnt for me is that I was lazy to work on my shoulders and now, once in a while, my shoulder goes into a popping frenzy.

Had a concussion once, hahah, Miss Wang can verify me vomiting in the toilet and off the pitch in Bangkok after a game. It was dreadful. And of course sprains on both ankles. And my knees feel a 100 years old right now.



Blackswrugby: If rugby didn’t work out, you would have…

Adik: Become a boxer.



Blackswrugby: From whom do you draw your inspiration/depend on for support?

Adik: Mr Gene Tong was my inspiration to work hard for rugby. He’s one of the most positive coaches I’ve ever had and I’ve learnt so much from him, that to give up the game after all the years that he has spent coaching us for free would be an injustice. Even though he made us do a lot of stuff that nearly made us go crazy, he believed in us. He’s definitely an inspiration.

I remember the time I dislocated my thumb when we went up to Perth to play, and I was in a lot of pain. He strapped it up and said “I’m gonna strap up your thumb real good, so that you’ll feel like Superman and you won’t feel the slightest pain”. He put me back in the field to play, and I didn’t remember that I dislocated it until I got off the field. Yeah, I must have been really young and maybe dumb to believe what he said, but I did and I played and all went good.

One quote from Mr Tong “When you bring out the best in yourself, you tend to bring out the best in others.”

I also am very lucky to have very supportive teammates who take care of me and keep telling me that we’ll do it as a team.

Nothing can stop us if we do it together. They are always covering my back.
And of course, I’ll always have support from my mom who keeps bringing me back and forth to the hospital for treatments and traditional massages, and my Kakak who bought me my first pair of boots, and my boyfriend who constantly has to bear with my mood swings when I’m tired from training. 
Hahahha, yeah sometimes you just need a person to hold you so tight till you can’t breathe to get your sanity back in place. Hahahah!

BRFC 2013 Interview: Azurah

Blackswrugby: How long have you been playing rugby / for Blacks?

Azurah:  Tried rugby out in 2002 & I broke my leg during my first game  -____- , not sure whether it counts but yeah I stopped for a few years to learn how to walk again during rehabilitation.  One night at Bugis, I was blessed to have bumped into Jane & the rest is history.

Blackswrugby: How do you get so strong?

Azurah: I've got Yoda on my side!! \m/  Strength is very subjective and I feel that it compromises of outer and inner strength.  Outer strength I would say partly comes from having to lift my fellow jumpers & trying to "gracefully" contest in a scrum.  When you've got someone's ASS(not sure whether I can use the word ASS) on the line(literally!) & having to channel the power in a scrum you've got to strive to be stronger.  Which means hitting the gym & doing whatever you need to improve.  Which there's still room for me to improve on!  A wise man once said "With great power, comes great responsibility".  In this case it applies both ways.

To add, Yoda's wisdom taught us all that we can never under estimate one's inner strength.  We've seen smaller players who are stronger than bigger players, where does it all come from?? It's their inner strength I tell you!!

Blackswrugby: Besides rugby, do you compete in other sports?

Azurah: Is this a trick question??  Where do I find the time to?? haha.. I do compete in teeny weeny non-rugby tournaments here & there when time allows me to.  Also I secretly(well not a secret anymore) hope I could pick up MMA/Crossfit(super amazed by the strength & flexibility, which requires different set skill & focus compared to rugby) when the time comes? Maybe? Who knows what the future brings.

Blackswrugby: What is the one thing you must do / must have when before coming for trainings? (Studded boots not included)

Azurah: I'm assuming I'll be all packed and dressed for training so plugging in to my tunes is a must!!

Blackswrugby: Are there moments when you feel like giving up this sport altogether? If there are, what keeps you coming back for more?

Azurah: I'd be lying if I said No especially after(for me) my worst injury ever when I fractured my eye socket in 2 places, recovering from that was the hardest not knowing if my vision would heal back to normal & all that uncertainty just bugs you.  I was blessed that I had a strong support system & eventually I pulled through it!

The adrenaline for one, the challenge of the sport physically & mentally.  Also knowing I've still got some things that I'd like to do.  I still have the capacity to learn from my team-mates & other players regardless of seniority.  

Blackswrugby: Is there a rugby hero in your life? (Someone whom you look up to for inspiration)

Azurah: Gosh! Rugby hero?? ..hmmmm I've got superheroes, does that count?? haha.. 

To be honest the seniors before me that started the club & introduced rugby with their blood, sweat & tears.  Every single one of them, their determination & fighting spirit including those who weren't from Blacks without them we wouldn't be so blessed with the opportunities we have today.  For that I thank them all!

Blackswrugby: We've tasted some of your own cooked food; how is it always so delicious! (It is mandatory to share your secrets!) 

Azurah: Haha! So sweet of you guys! I'm sure they're not always so delicious!  No secrets lah only MADE WITH LOVE ;)

Blackswrugby: Since we're about food, does Rugby has an effect on any of your eating habits or stuff that you want to cook?

Azurah: Yes & No I guess.  In fact playing rugby has taught me to understand more about the food we need to fuel our body & knowing the ingredients we cook with is always better.  When I eat junk stuff I'm hoping that I'll burn it off during trainings..haha

Blackswrugby: If you can describe Rugby in one word, what is it?

Azurah: Maverick (because it sounds way cooler than Unorthodox!)

Blackswrugby: Any words of wisdom for the juniors in the club?

Azurah: You'll never know when your good or bad days will come but what you can do is to treat the field like an experiment during practice.  It can go either way, you'll be screamed at or not.  You'll never know unless you give it a shot.  Whether it's a chip & chase, backflip passes, kicks or whatever.  Just go for it!  We only learn from the mistakes we make, improve on them & excel by challenging ourselves to do something out of the box.  I'm not saying go all crazy & stuff, practise beforehand because after all it's a team sport, you wouldn't want your team-mates kicking you off the team!  We're all different and contribute in different ways, why not explore those possibilities?  Why not?

"May the force be with you" 

BRFC Interview 2013: Eunice Tay

Blackswrugby: How many years have you played rugby for?

Eunice: 12 years.

Blackswrugby: What drew you to the sport?

Eunice: The adrenaline and aggressiveness of the sport. Rugby is a thinking sport and I love the challenge that I face every time I step onto the field. 

Blackswrugby: Tell us about your most memorable experience playing rugby?

Eunice: 

There's few memorable experiences. 

1. Bangkok 7s - when we (blacks) won the Royal Thai Airforce team in the final. The condition of the pitch was muddy and the game was very close. 

2. When Spore team was 2nd in Asia and captaining the spore team. 

3. All the great friends I made through rugby. 

Blackswrugby: Share with us about your 'Ah-Lian' title

Eunice: My auntie gave me the ah lian title when I was a teenager. The title came back to me as I used to be very bad tempered when I started playing rugby. But I'm not a typical ah lian, I'm a high class lian. 

Blackswrugby:  Favourite pre-match meal?

Eunice: Bananaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Blackswrugby: You’re into refereeing now, what is the biggest difference about it from playing?

Eunice: As a player, you always have team mates to back you up but as a referee, you have to back yourself up. But regardless whether you are a player or referee, very decision you make must be accurate and sharp. There is no room for mistakes..

Blackswrugby: If you could give a piece of advice to rookies or anyone who wants to take up the sport, what would it be?

Eunice:  Never give up attitude and always fight to the final whistle regardless the score. 

Blackswrugby: Any chances of making a comeback?

Eunice: Not at competitive level. Maybe recreational level. I love refereeing and want to focus and pursue it seriously

Blackswrugby:  Everyone has tough times. What is the biggest motivation that picks up up when you fall??

Eunice: In life, there's always up and down..... you just have to pick yourself up and move forward. Always be positive and happy as life is short. There are many other people who are less fortunate than me. 

Blackswrugby: If there's one thing you can do to change the world, what would that be?

Eunice:  To have another world which is very colourful, just like Alice in Wonderland or in never never land.

BRFC 2013 Interview: Jacqueline Sng

Blackswrugby: What is your secret to being so strong? Share please!

Jacqueline: Simple, one cup of iron nails, one tablespoon of rocks and a teaspoon of sugar for flavour. Blend it up and drink first thing in the morning. Kidding......I have been hitting the gym since I was pre-pubescent. I just think the muscles and basic strength stuck with me even though I rarely lift anything now. *attach ''do you even lift meme''*

Blackswrugby: What sport were you in before rugby?

Jacqueline: I did sprint kayaking for about 10 years and also played tennis.

Blackswrugby: How did you pick up this sport?

Jacqueline: Tao Jing and Sarah-Jean, my classmates in uni tried many times to convince me to play. However, I was still paddling competitively and didn't want to risk any broken bones. It was during my final year in uni that I decided to try out something new and gave rugby a shot.

Blackswrugby: Was it difficult making the transition?

Jacqueline: To be honest, it felt weird touching people (and even worst tackling) at the start. In kayaking, we stay in our own boats and race lanes so the idea of human contact and invading someone's space was so alien to me. I had to learn to work in a team and tells myself it's okay when someone pulls you down onto the ground because it's part of the game and not take it too personally.

Blackswrugby:  Share with us what's going on in your head before each tackle.

Jacqueline: EAT GRASS WHOEVER IS OPPOSITE ME!

Blackswrugby: Favorite thing about rugby?

Jacqueline: Every game is different and so dynamic. I like that it is not an easy feat and it challenges me physically and even more, mentally.

Blackswrugby: Bruises, injuries and all, do the kids and colleagues in school get curious?

Jacqueline:  Concealer is my best friend. The one from M.A.C covers almost any bruise that you have. They know nothing.

Blackswrugby: Describe yourself in one word. 

Jacqueline: Awkward

Blackswrugby: What is your favourite super hero if any and why?

Jacqueline: Not really into super heroes and all the shenanigans. But I guess if you could fly or teleport it would be very awesome, Travelling from place to place is really one of the greatest pains in my you know what.

Blackswrugby: If there's one thing you can do to change the world, what would that be?

Jacqueline:  I'll bring Michael Jackson back to life so he can whoop Justin Bieber's and One Direction's ass for polluting my ear with bad songs. (Sorry Unagi!) Seriously...I have no idea. Why must you ask such a philosophical question???

Boot Camp 2013

FAQ

Q:  Whats with this Boot Camp and what does BTB stand for?
A:  This is the fourth edition of the Blacks Boot Camp. Boot Camps are held as and when we need a whipping. Bring to Boil. Back to Basics. All about the same innit?

Q:  Why must bring passport?
A:   It's for your own good. Unless you want to be stuck nekked at customs doing squats

Q:  What else do I need to know?
A:  Not much. Just show up and be prepared for anything. ANYTHING.