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| Sunday, 23 November 2003 |
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Coach Hyacinth back home from Singapore with wealth of knowledge and experience by LESLIE FERNANDO Hyacinth Wijesinghe, a former Sri Lanka netball captain who brought honour and glory to Singapore Netball, returned to the island from Singapore after a two-year netball coaching stint. Hyacinth has a unique feat, being a double international, representing Sri Lanka in netball and basketball, she was invited by Mrs. Ivy Singh-Lim President, Netball Singapore and the President of the Asian Netball Federation to coach the Singapore National Netball team. She received this great offer after Hyacinth coached the victorious Sri Lanka netball team at the Asian Netball Championships held in Colombo in 2001. Mrs. Ivy Singh-Lim, the President, Singapore Netball had this to say, "Hyacinth Wijesinghe joined us as National Coach from 15 February 2002 and stayed in that position till November 2003. During her tenure with us, she not only discharged her duties diligently, but also managed to lead Singapore National team to victories - one in the Singapore-Malaysia Challenge Trophy 2002 and in 2003 she led our team to be the champions in the Energizer Invitational gala event. "These two wins are very important for Singapore's status as leading netball country in the region. Although this is Hyacinth's first job outside of Sri Lanka, she fitted well into the Singapore scene and never turned out as a problem for us at any time. Her attitude has always been positive and she has carried herself very well as a representative of Netball Singapore wherever she has been. During her stay here, she also made efforts to improve herself by attending classes to upgrade her qualification," Ivy Singh-Lim added. The Singapore netball head Ivy added that they are pleased with her service during the contracted period and would recommend her without hesitation to be the National Coach of any country. "She is a coach who is very focused and I believe that she will be able to instil a strong sense of discipline and patriotism to any team that she leads," Ivy said. Hyacinth, the versatile netballer and basketballer said that her experience in Singapore workwise was stressful and everything has to be done on a particular day. The authorities do not believe in postponements. She said that she had to submit weekly and monthly reports at the staff meetings of Singapore Netball. They give deadlines and the deadlines had to be met and it was somewhat stressful. "I had a very successful stint with the national team, winning against Malaysia 2002 and 2003 at the international tournaments. Before I joined Netball Singapore, the side had lost five years in-a-row. Singapore believes it is a great achievement," said Hyacinth. The players in the Singapore team are highly educated. They do not get duty leave, they come for training straight after school or from work. Training time 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. They are hard working, understanding and intelligent. It must be said that the players respect the coach. They never complain against the players, coach or manager. If they have any problem they deal with it instantly. All matters are sorted out within the limitations of coach and manager. Achievements Hyacinth's achievements during their tenure with Netball Singapore: National coach for the Open team. Singapore Netball became champions in 2002 and 2003 defeating teams from Malaysia, Thailand and two teams from Sri Lanka. Attended Netball Australia Asian coaches and umpires seminars in 2002 in Australia, Attended Presenters course level one held in Singapore. Coaching and Umpires course level one and two (passed in both), Coaching and Umpiring level three course in November 2003 (awaiting results), Managed the Junior Netball Programme, Adults netball programme, Orientation to coaching programme and workshops. As a successful coach, Hyacinth believe that her ultimate goal is not the performances but winning the heart, trust and confidence of Singapore players and the management of Netball Singapore and people of Singapore. She concluded, saying that Sri Lanka will learn all these things and be a better team in future. She said she would like to give the knowledge she had gained to coaches, umpires, Netball Federation of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education, Sports Development Section and to the players. In this way, I could promote netball in Sri Lanka in big better way. |
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