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.

BRFC 2013 Interview: Radika PS

Back: Radika PS

Blackswrugby: How long have you been playing rugby for? Who/what made you join this sport?

Radika: Been playing since 1998 but started out playing touch as women's contact rugby was not developed yet. It was only through a good friend of mine who introduced me to the sport. So my friends and i decided to form a team and play in competitions organized by SRU. Then i continued playing touch in school as a CCA.

I joined Blacks in 2002, started out playing touch. It was the seniors who convinced us (the rookies) to try playing contact and have never looked back since..


Blackswrugby: Describe your most memorable experience playing rugby for Singapore and for the club.

Radika: 
For Singapore, it was the 15s game in HK and I was nervous though it wasn't my first time playing with the HK team. It was one of the games that I tackled the most and the hardest and didn't missed any tackles.

For club, it was during my first overseas 7s tournament in Hadyai. Was scared shit cos i was playing in the seniors team and i didn't want to screw up the game plan. We won and it was my first time winning in contact rugby!


Blackswrugby: Do you think physical size is a major factor to succeed? 

Radika: Nope. There are some international rugby players who are also physically smaller in size and yet they play good rugby. It's all about the skills and passion.


Blackswrugby: Describe your pain and pleasure of playing rugby on a good or bad day.

Radika: Those days at Farrer Park are the best! Though the field (muddy/potholed)and shower facilities are not great, we never complained. Rain or shine, injured or sick, I was always looking forward to trainings every Sunday.


Blackswrugby:  Share with us about your speed trainings in Kenya or your normal routine as a shadow. 

Radika: Hahaha - can't afford a coach in Kenya. Public transport system is such that the buses/trains only operate once in every few days so fastest way is to get from one place to another is by running. If you're lucky, probably can get a ride from a cow on the way!
Nothing special basically, I do my own runs and hit the gym at least once a week.


Blackswrugby: How do you manage work, rugby and social life and when was the last time you found it hard to strike a balance?

Radika: It was when i was still a student. Trainings were like 3-4 days a week - club and school trainings. But luckily i still managed to have a social life as my good friends too played rugby for both club and school. So basically we get to hang out more often!
Well now most of them have 'retired' from the sport, so we make a point to meet up at least once a month cos of their busy work/family schedules as well. I'm glad to have great support from my loved ones and that they didn't ditch me and find someone to replace me in the group! :)


Blackswrugby: What is your greatest motivation on the field?

Radika:  My greatest motivation is the ball! Every time when I hold the ball, it's telling me to try something new/diff with it.
Can I say who instead?? If yes, it's Bryan Habana from SA. He's not that big and he's an awesome winger!


Blackswrugby: If you had 24 hrs to change the world, what would you change first and why?

Radika: That money will not exist in the world. Money destroys everything and widens the gap between the rich and the poor. Everyone should be treated equally regardless of money. Money doesn't define a person.


Blackswrugby: As a senior in the club, please provide in great detail, your top 3 advice for your less experienced team mates.

Radika: 
1) No pain no gain!
2) Don't cheat cos you're only cheating yourself!
3) Practise makes perfect!
Spend some time working on specific skills on your own. Eg: passing, kicking, side-step etc. Watching rugby games will help you to understand the game better and also to motivate you to try things at trainings.


Blackswrugby: Provide 3 adjectives that best describe your game of rugby.

Radika: 
Hardworking
Passionate
Determined

BRFC 2013 Interview: Si Ying

Forward: Chang Si Ying

Blackswrugby: How long have you been playing rugby for? Who/what made you join this sport?

SiYing: It all started out in PESS when my classmate, Tao, invited several of us to join a rugby clinic. So thinking that a PE teacher should be equipped with a repertoire of skills and since  its always good to be exposed to more sports, I gave it a try and then went on to continue with NTU Women's rugby which consist of almost all my class girls. As trainings was becoming more intense, I decided to be less involved in the Netball scene so I stopped playing, coaching and umpiring Netball  so as to focus on rugby wholeheartedly.


Blackswrugby: Describe your pain and pleasure of playing rugby on a good or bad day.

SiYing: I still remember that awful feeling when I woke up the next day after my first 7s game at KL. I was practically whining non-stop to my room mate as I did not expect such terrible body aches and bruises. Although I was new to the team, I was not one of the youngest members so basically my room mate looked at me sternly, told me that it's rugby and I better suck it up. So fierceeee!


Blackswrugby:  What was your greatest fall (literally or metaphorically) and what made you come back from that?

SiYing: I was very disheartened when I first realised that my left knee tendon was inflamed and exasperated when it started giving me problems (although my injury is not as serious as many who have been out.) Having played other sports competitively before, I have never been in such a situation whereby it caused so much discomfort even when I am not playing. When teaching and at night, the aching feeling was so unbearable but it really taught me to learn to manage my own body better because the last thing you want to know is that you cannot play for your team due to injuries.


Blackswrugby: What do your students think of your sadistic love for bruises and passion for adrenaline-charged tackles?

SiYing: I think my students secretly like to count the bruises and inform me about them? Or maybe they are more of being nosey or probably sometimes concerned about how I get the bruises. However, I think my colleagues are always the one who looked very shocked and worried when they see the bruises on my body and are amazed that there's women's rugby around in Singapore. When I get such reactions, it's just time for me to educate them. Zzz. 

Blackswrugby: Have you ever secretly thought of implementing our fitness trainings into your PE lesson plan?

SiYing: Hahahahah! I do add in some elements of it into my own teaching, especially fitness and conditioning for my children. I mean children love challenges and new variations so that will keep them interested. When I take my recreational basketball girls I will also add in simple parts of it and then put in the necessary related components catered for the sport itself.


Blackswrugby: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

SiYing: Hmm, probably just making sure my hair is tie up tight and properly using my favorite hair tie?


Blackswrugby: Who inspires you and name 3 friends who have made you want to improve yourself as a player?

SiYing: I feel that there's really a lot to learn from every single person in Blacks. For instance, one of my teammates may well be demonstrating strong determination when completing one of the drills and I want to be like her or maybe another team mate who shows great dedication in this sport and I wish to learn from her too. In fact, I share what I see or learn in Blacks with my pupils. So I would say, everyone has a role to play in making me a better player. (:


Blackswrugby: In life, if you didnt have rugby along with all the trainings, gym sessions and games, what would you be doing with all the free time?

SiYing: Just recently when I can afford to have free time, I will go jogging and strolls at different parks or nature reserve. But then again, it's not all the time, it still depends on my mood. Hahaha. 

Blackswrugby: Give 3 wordsthat best describe why you are still here with the club.

SiYing: I can't really figure out any 3 words but "TEAM" (Together Everyone Achieves More) just came into my mind. This is THE team that makes me feel that everyone works hard for one another and it's through everyone's effort that we attain our goals.