Back: Serena Yeoh Yai Kuan
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): You must be quite the encyclopedia of drink mixes after all those years in the F&B business, what's in an Irish Car Bomb?
Serena: Simi Irish Car Bomb….that one I don't know lah, BRAIN HAMORRHAGE you want….Beer, with a shooter glass of Bailey's mixed in and grenadine…Try it….You will know what I mean….This one is the after effect of the car bomb …hahahahahah
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Right so for the record, let's have it… were you always this lean-mean-fearless machine … really.
Serena: When I first started rugby, there were a lot of times I wanted give up. I felt that the game was so technical and I didn't understand what the coach was talking about. When it came to drills and fitness times, I was so unfit then (I was 10kg heavier then, I felt so heavy and my legs just couldn't move) that I always ended up being one of the last few or even the last...It was really discouraging.
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Every training, I had a fear. A fear of not being able to keep up. But in every session, I will just keep trying my best and in my mind, I did a lot of POSITIVE self talk. Well, it was not overnight, there were many times on the field that I really felt like just giving up and stepping out from the drills but I was determined to carry on.
Serena: However, there was one thing that kept me to continue with the sport was that I told myself since I have started it, I wouldn't give it up halfway. When I looked at my teammates around me...I was thinking to myself, how do these people make it? If they can, I also can. So other then starting to work on my fitness levels, I started reading more on how to improve on my own fitness and most importantly, I kept doing self-talk in my mind.
Before I knew it, with the hard work and efforts that I put in my own personal trainings, it paid off after months and gradually, you realize that you are no longer lagging behind. I was able to keep up. Also, you got to be patient with yourself. Sometimes, things don't just go the way you want overnight. It takes time to grow. Just like when you are growing a plant, you need to water it daily and feed it with fertilisers...with patience and care, you will reap what you sow.
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): You've got some real fancy footwork and body-bending moves to beat your defenders out there on the field, is that a product of a youth spent at tea dances or some serious one-on-one training?
Serena: Hahhaha….No way…I have never been to any of those tea dances before…but friends of mine that went taught me these moves…you know during younger days in school in NPCC, got to put up dance performances so we will try out all these different dance steps….and of course, watching Paula Abdul..hahahah…cold..cold..cold-hearted snake…hahahah..if some of you know this song….
Anyway, on the serious side, I started on agility (SAQ) once a week after last April for a period of time for once a week with the help of Adik, together with Sam and Wan, it definitely improved the footwork.
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): In a recent interview, one of your Rugby heroes Tana Umaga said, "You get old, that's just the way it is and you can't beat Father Time. Everyone's waiting for me to go"
Although here at Blacks we're all hoping you set the precedent for women playing rugby until a ripe old age, how much longer do you see yourself putting your body on that line?
Serena: Competitively, to be realistic, maybe another 4-5 years….Unrealistically….maybe another 10 years….I mean, internationally, the oldest player that we knew, she is a grandmother and still playing then in her late 40s is it? Or almost early 50s?
On a recreational level, I guess as long as I can…to continue to maintain fitness and stay healthy…
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Gene Tong - Mentor, Husband, Friend, Coach - in which order?
Serena: Hahhahaha…this question very hard to answer lah….tricky…hahahahah…depends which situation. Guess when it's training times on the field…the order is, Coach, Mentor, Friend, Husband. But when it's out of training times, I would say, Husband, Friend, Mentor and then coach..(Actually…just, the first three I would say)
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): As a coach, are there differences from the times you were a rookie? Some of the younger players think the older folks are masochist masters and fitness sadists - we scream too much, are too critical. Are the younger ones getting soft or are the older players just plain Looney?
Serena: There are definitely a lot of differences comparing when I first started as a rookie and the rookies now. I remembered that when I first started, my seniors were never so patient or willing to teach and share information with us, the rookies. The only thing they were capable to do was to shout and literally scream at your face during all the trainings. Hardly were there any seniors that will come and share with us what our mistakes were. You get screamed at and shouted at for not running fast, for not passing a proper pass and for not receiving or catching the pass. Basically there was no tolerance for mistakes.
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): During every training, there were times when your tears were at the brink of your eyes, but you just had to control it and keep your mouth shut and bite your tongue and carry on. To learn to play the game was very much on your own, basically, we learnt it through the whistles from the referees during the breakdown of games. The rookies then, we never questioned, we never gave attitude, we wanted to prove to the seniors that we could do it.
Serena: The younger ones these days are getting softer…no offense to you all young ones out there….a lot of times when criticisms are given, not trying to be personal but however helping you all to improve, the reaction that we get in return is Being Defensive. Sometimes, they become loads of excuses….
Older folks masochist masters and fitness sadists?…I don't think so….I just know that the seniors we all know what we want to achieve as a whole and as individuals, but the younger ones out there, do you know what you want to achieve? Or you all are doing it just because you have to do it? Do it for a reason and ask yourself what it is….
This is something I must definitely say, the young ones are really having an easy time in terms of trainings compared to us in the past…Fitness wise, hmmm….no way like how we did it in the past…An advice to the young ones…sometimes just do it…don't have to talk too much…Action speaks louder than words. Also, do it with a goal….don't do it blindly….
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Back to your battered body, is it really all IN THE MIND? Pray tell, how does one become Wonder Woman?
Serena: Sustaining injuries while playing is inevitable. It is important to learn how to manage injuries and be positive about it. I have been injured quite a few times, through my own experience, of course, it was not easy, seeing your teammates training and you can't join them...it can be very depressive... First thing that comes into my head, shucks...cannot play...second thing that comes to my mind....die lah, cannot train means PUT ON WEIGHT...FAT...hahahha.
But nevertheless, you just have to get over fast and stay positive. Positive self talk...approach your treatments and rehab positive and believe and have faith that you will come back even stronger and better....you will be amazed at how fast you will recover. It's all in the state of mind...
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Do you have any pre-match secret ritual we should know about, because you sure look like you could eat a couple of opposition players when the whistle goes.
Serena: Actually, nothing at all….all I know is that I want to play to my best in the game and just keep my focus in it. But there is definitely one thing before I start…I will cough like I am going to die….if some of you know what I mean…Important thing, during the game, don't be so bothered with what is going to happen later after game…it is during every minute of the game that matters more than anything….
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Having been a pioneer blacks player starting from 0 to 7s to 15s with the club, would you say there was a turning point for Blacks or have we been steadily heading the right direction?
Serena: The turning point for the club…I feel it is the commitment from both Gene and Chongfu that have brought the girls this far when they started coming in to the women's side to help (this probably happened somewhere mid of 98)…with their commitment to the gals and that ultimately got the girls committed to the trainings and of course, being down for trainings had bonded the club closer and you know, it's the chain effect…as with all these factors…we trained hard together, going overseas for games and tournaments…..Our achievements were not overnight but definitely a lot of hard work and efforts put in…And I would say that we are steadily heading towards the direction that we have set out to do.
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): There's an on going debate about who has the most powerful fart, (1) Ennie (2) Eunice and (3) yourself. Who would u say could eliminate the enemy with a single blast?
Serena: This definitely got to be ENNIE TOH…Eunice and me both got no fight with her…Even if we combined our weapon, Ennie's still the Lethal Weapon…
Blackswrugby (back in 2005): Really? Because the long standing rumour is that your audible farts are actually fuelled jets that give you the power to make those line-breaking runs. Most of our girls are just dying to pry u open to see what maketh this woman.
So here's one of the questions that best summarizes what we got from the floor:
Serena: "It must have been helluva journey from when you started to where you are today - hard-running, mentally-strong, and a truly inspirational player. Through all the sweaty, muddy years of sheer hard work and aching muscles, the Serena we see today is a super-hero figure. What advice do you have for the less experienced players who are aspiring towards playing at national level (but not quite there yet), in terms of:
a) building mental strength (to keep going when you are absolutely buggered on the field);
Building mental strength, alot comes from within. The key is DETERMINATION, to work towards what you really want. Set your own personal goals in rugby, and work towards it. Break down your goals to smaller goals (process goals) so that you will eventually achieve what you have set yourself out to do. Give it a time frame. When you start seeing yourself growing through the goals that you have set, your mindset will be more positive and of course, it will enhance your mental strength.
On a personal level, when we used to go through those tough runs, it was crazy. But in my mind, as I was doing those runs, one thing I tell myself is that, I want to compete with myself. I want to break that personal benchmark that I have set. I don't bother with people running by my side, though at times, there will bound to be competition which is healthy. Other than that, I always put myself to the test and challenged myself to a higher level.
When things go tougher, tell yourself, it is a good thing. Take it as a positive challenge. Nothing is smooth sailing in whatever you do. I would say, nothing in life be it in any areas are will turn out the way you want. Sometimes, there are other external factors that are beyond our control. That's when you have to learn to over come the obstacles. You've got to believe in yourself and most importantly, that the obstacles which come our way is a good thing. Then you will learn how to handle it and to make you a stronger person physically and mentally.
b) how to stay positive when the going gets tough (e.g. not improving at a desired rate, injuries, etc...)?
One thing you have to start asking yourself, how long have you been doing it? Something must have gone wrong somewhere that improvement is slow. How about your recovery time? Do you rest properly and eat proper...these are also factors that will contribute to our performance. Our bodies get bored working on the same program over and over again. They need changes too....just like us...access your own training programs and ask yourself, what is the area that there is no improvement or not much improvement....then look at different ways to solve your problem. Know your strengths and weakness...maximize your strengths and build your weakness, turn your weakness into strength.
Approach your challenges positively, even if things don't go your way and when it gets tougher, don't think is something bad or negative. Things happen for a reason. Most importantly, self belief and work towards seeing it from a positive way. Success is not overnight but with hard work and efforts put in, you see the results.
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