Physical education and school sports at international schools in Singapore are an integral part of the educational experience. Physical activity contributes to a child’s development in many areas such as physical strength, mental resilience, social skills and life skills. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer for international students, including competitive opportunities at ACSIS and SEASAC, and the facilities available.
Canadian International School – competitive swimming for international students
At Canadian International School (CIS), physical education is the foundation of physical and mental wellbeing. Additionally, the school’s Academy of Sport gives Husky athletes of every age and ability the opportunity to discover their potential through recreational sport, competitive teams and high-performance training.
With over 1,200 athletes from junior through to senior school, the school fields more than 80 teams across swimming, rugby, badminton, volleyball, athletics, football, netball, basketball and ultimate frisbee. For gifted and talented athletes, customised academic programmes through Advanced Placement (AP) provide the flexibility to balance rigorous academics with the demands of high-performance training and competition. The school says that the focus at every level is on developing confident, resilient and well-rounded young people who have the support to reach their full potential.
Swimming is a core sport at CIS, led by two-time Olympian Alexander Tikhonov. It’s one of the most comprehensive school swimming programmes among international schools, with a Learn to Swim programme, a pre-competitive swimming squad and an elite team training for national-level success. The performance squad trains up to seven days a week with gym, nutrition and recovery support, including ice baths. CIS alumni include Paris 2024 Olympian Lanihei C, and five-time Singapore National Age Group gold medallist Ivan M.
Beyond competition, students regularly take part in travel meets, tournaments and exchanges with international teams. CIS students also enjoy a wide range of after-school activities like tennis, gymnastics, pickleball, parkour, skateboarding, martial arts, and more. New padel courts are currently in development too.
The school rewards hard work by awarding scholarships across all sports. This gives top athletes the opportunity to accelerate their skills and compete at the highest levels.
Hear from a CIS international student on sports at school
“Representing Singapore at the national level has taught me the importance of discipline and resilience, while being an Athletics Scholar and captain at CIS has helped me grow as a leader. I’m grateful for every opportunity to compete, lead and represent the Home of the Huskies.” – Ian Bo M, Grade 12, CIS Athletics Scholar & U20 National Rugby player
7 Jurong West Street 41
6467 1732 | cis.edu.sg
UWCSEA – sports programme to suit every student
Sports at UWCSEA are designed to inspire students to discover their passions and develop a lifelong appreciation for an active lifestyle. The extensive sports programme offers a wide variety of choices for students, providing a vital training ground for developing their skills and qualities.
In Primary School, the sports programme focuses on movement and sports basics in a fun, non-competitive environment. Junior to High School students can choose to engage recreationally or competitively in Netball, Rugby, Sailing, Kayaking, Softball, Touch (rugby), Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo and more.
Under the banners of Phoenix at Dover Campus and Dragons at East Campus, UWCSEA participates in the ACSIS (Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools) conference, SEASAC tournaments and other inter-school, regional and international competitions. In the 2024/25 school year, UWCSEA won 17 of the 22 SEASAC championships.
More than 80 in-house and full-time coaches, supported by more than 150 external UWCSEA-trained coaches, guide students in pushing through challenges and reflecting upon defeat, helping them develop personal resilience and skills in effective collaboration. They encourage students to communicate, trust and support their teammates. Importantly, throughout their competitive and recreational sports journeys, students are supported in developing self-awareness and leadership skills.
The College’s extensive sports facilities include full-sized all-weather football pitches, floodlit ten-lane 50m competitive swimming pools, tennis and netball courts, artificial turf fields for football or hockey, outdoor beach-volleyball courts, cricket nets, indoor air-conditioned sports halls including a 20x8m climbing wall, fully equipped gymnastics centres, and fitness centres with gyms equipped for competitive team strength and conditioning.
Hear from an international student on school sports at UWCSEA
“I valued every moment with the UWCSEA 19A Football team. On the pitch, it helped me increase my self-confidence and footballing abilities. Being able to represent my school with teammates and coaches was always a core memory of mine. Going on bus drives to away campuses and flying to other countries with the team created opportunities for us to be more independent and gave us a break from school and studying.
The team’s passionate desire to win motivated us to sacrifice time to go to training and drove us to play with competence at home and away games. Playing for UWCSEA not only developed my personal skills; it also gave me the benefits of being part of the inclusive community within the team. The team thrived through our passion and shared love of the game.”
– Felix Lim, Class of 2025, UWCSEA
Dover Campus: 1207 Dover Road | 6774 2653
East Campus: 1 Tampines Street 73 | 6305 5353
uwcsea.edu.sg
Tanglin Trust School – high-level coaching for competition
Tanglin offers a combination of high-level coaching and outstanding sports facilities designed to support students at every stage of their school sporting journey. These include two fully equipped strength and conditioning suites for Junior and Senior students, an on-site physiotherapy clinic, a world-class Aquatics Centre with a 50-metre pool and 25-metre pool, a specialist Gymnastics Centre delivering the largest programme in international schools here, an indoor golf driving range, five multipurpose halls, three climbing walls, a central playing field with digital scoreboard, and an Athletic Development Programme
Students enjoy a packed calendar of sports ranging from House competitions to inter-school fixtures. The strength and depth of the Tanglin sports programme ensure Tanglin achieves regular success in both local and regional tournaments including FOBISIA, SEASAC, PGA Schools Regional, Feeding Frenzy swimming and the SCC Rugby 7s. Teams also compete further afield at the Gold Coast Touch Rugby Tournament, the Dubai College 7s, and the Harrow Bangkok International 7s.
Sporting ability is nurtured from Infant school. By Senior School, high-performing sporting students can apply for Tanglin’s IMPACT Programme. This provides individualised support to promising athletes, helping them balance academic studies with high-level sporting commitments. In addition, Tanglin has a colours system, with colours awarded to Senior students who have consistently represented the school in their chosen sport and demonstrated excellence and exceptional commitment to the sporting life at Tanglin.
Hear from an international student on playing school sports
“Being a part of the Tanglin Lions community has given me so many opportunities to play different sports and compete in competitions. I’ve gained friendships and many valuable qualities through playing sports at Tanglin. I remain good friends with the coaches and my fellow students from when I first started playing. I take much pride in being captain of the Tanglin football team, since it was always a dream of mine to lead the team from when I used to watch their games back in Infants!” – Jules G, Year 13 Tanglin U19 Football Captain 26/27
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore) – personalised physical education pathways
Dulwich offers a comprehensive sports and physical education programme that provides personalised pathways for students to pursue their passions. At the same time, they can develop a lifelong interest in physical activity and healthy living. Students can participate in a wide range of activities for sports education. These include football, rugby, netball, basketball, athletics, tennis, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, cricket and hockey.
The College has fielded over 275 teams across all age groups (ages 7 to 18) for the ACSIS competitions. In the last academic year, the College claimed 16 Division 1 titles across 20 different sports, the U15 and U18 Netball Teams were FOBISIA champions, and the College hosted over 800 students from around the globe for the Dulwich Olympiad.
High-performing sports students can further develop their skills through the Ignite! Exceptional Performance Development Programme. This provides technical, tactical and cognitive support, as well as individual health, fitness and lifestyle mentoring. Many of these students have represented Singapore internationally and competed in tournaments worldwide.
Dulwich believes that every student should have the opportunity to represent the College in the sports they’re interested in, regardless of their ability. This approach fosters team camaraderie and helps cultivate character traits such as determination, courage and graciousness. Underpinning all physical education activities is the principle of good sportsmanship and fair play, which applies to players, parents and coaches alike.
The College also offers IGCSE, IBDP Sport Exercise Health Science and BTEC Level 3 Sport as part of the IB Careers Programme. These courses enable students to deepen their knowledge while gaining qualifications for further study or potential careers in the sports, health and wellness industries.
Hear from an international student on physical education opportunities at school
“My sports journey at Dulwich has been incredibly fulfilling, offering me diverse opportunities to excel in both touch rugby and netball. Being part of the touch rugby team for the last nine years has shaped me into the person I am today, where I’ve developed my skills and forged strong bonds with my teammates. Despite achieving amazing feats with this team, the highlight that I’m eagerly anticipating is the upcoming tournament in Australia. It’s an exciting chance to compete internationally and push ourselves as a team in my final year.
In addition to touch rugby, my involvement with the netball team has been equally rewarding. Last year, we achieved a major milestone by winning the FOBISIA tournament, a victory that emphasised our hard work and dedication. This experience not only boosted my confidence but also demonstrated the power of teamwork and perseverance. All sporting opportunities at Dulwich have taught me the resilience, discipline and dedication that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
– Sophia, Senior School student
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
German European School Singapore – sport programme supporting all international students
Sports at GESS is woven into the daily rhythm of school life, with all 1,700 students given a genuine chance to discover what their body and spirit can do.
GESS now counts over 230 swimmers across all age groups training in an Olympic-sized, temperature-controlled indoor pool. The swimming pool has Swiss Timing systems and a mid-submerge wall that converts it into a 25-metre setup. A second Learners Pool for the youngest paddlers provides the school with what it proudly calls its “50m advantage”. Under Head of Swimming Ivan Bunakov, the results speak for themselves: two GESS swimmers have already competed at the Paris Olympic Games.
Since 2025, GESS has held an exclusive strategic partnership with Borussia Dortmund (BVB). Two students have been scouted to train with BVB’s junior team in Germany.
The school’s partnership with ALBA Berlin enables students to gain professional exposure while competing alongside top schools and local teams through initiatives like the annual 3×3 GESS ALBA Berlin Basketball Tournament. The impact continues after graduation, with alumni progressing into professional basketball leagues and sports management pathways. One GESS alumnus is now playing for ALBA Berlin’s professional team, while another is completing a dual study programme with ALBA Berlin.
Supporting the sports programme are an athletics track, three air-conditioned sports halls, a new climbing wall now integrated into Physical Education lessons, and the shot put and long jump areas tucked around campus.
What ties it all together, says the school, is a genuine sense of belonging: “GESS students are empowered to discover and own their future, one training session, one race, one goal at a time.”
Hear from an alumnus on the sports programme of this school in Singapore
“Through the BeyondClassrooms partnership that GESS signed with ALBA Berlin, and the invitational tournament we jointly organised, I applied for the Dual-Study Programme offered by ALBA Berlin’s Asia Management team. I was very lucky to get in. Since then, I’ve been working with ALBA Berlin while completing my Bachelor of Science in Sports and Event Management. They’re even supporting me with my study fees, and my career has been going really well so far.” – Benedikt
2 Dairy Farm Lane
6461 0801 | gess.edu.sg
Nexus International School (Singapore) – multi sports programme
Nexus caters to everyone from high-level athletes competing on the international stage to those trying a new activity for the very first time, offering an extensive range of sports programmes, state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. As a member school of ACSIS and FOBISIA, the school’s learners have access to a wide range of competitive and recreational sporting opportunities, both locally and internationally.
The Nexus campus features a FIFA- and World Rugby-specified sports field, two gymnasiums, two fitness suites (one weights room specifically for swimming), a running track, yoga studio, 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool and aquatic centre. These facilities provide learners with the environment, resources and support they need to develop their skills, pursue their ambitions and strive for their personal best.
The school competes at the highest levels, both locally and internationally. The comprehensive swim programme, for example, covers everything from first lessons to national and international competitions. Nexus has one of the top school swim teams in Asia and has been named ACSIS high-school swim champions four years in a row.
Learners have the opportunity to travel to leading tournaments across Asia and beyond in football, netball, rugby and volleyball teams. In 2025, the Nexus volleyball team were crowned FOBISIA Champions, while the football team won the SEASAC Football 7s Invitational against some of the top international schools in Southeast Asia.
Hear from an educator on physical education at school
“The heart of our sports programme is the Athlete Development Programme, which provides tailored training based on each athlete’s individual sport, needs and goals. We’re committed to developing world-class sporting pathways for our learners, with a number of graduates continuing their sporting journeys in either professional or US college programmes. By combining expert coaching, high-performance facilities and a supportive academic environment, Nexus gives learners every opportunity to grow, improve and reach their full potential.” – Adam Smith, Assistant Head of School (Enrichment and Sports)
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Chatsworth International School – athletics and sports programme
Athletics and sports at Chatsworth International School are an extension of the classroom. Sports activities at the school aim to help students develop self-confidence and group confidence as well as emotional and physical competency.
The school provides a vibrant sports culture where every student can thrive, regardless of experience or goals. Whether a student is trying something new, staying active with friends, or training for medals at the ACSIS championships and regional competitions, there’s a place for them.
Chatsworth says that the Phoenix teams that compete each year across three ACSIS seasons do so with passion, determination and pride, demonstrating the values that define the school community both on and off the field. In the academic year 2025/26, nearly half the student body (48%) competed across 35 ACSIS teams in a diverse range of activities including football, basketball, netball, badminton, swimming, touch rugby, ultimate frisbee and volleyball. Student athletes brought home three gold, five silver, and two bronze team medals, alongside multiple individual competitive swimming medals.
The school also recognises exceptional contributions to the growth and spirit of its Athletics sports programme. Outstanding students receive various sports awards during the Secondary End of Year Awards. Sporting facilities on campus include a huge indoor sports hall, seven-a-side soccer field, outdoor multipurpose court and swimming pool.
Hear from an international student on sports at school
“Being an athlete at Chatsworth has provided me with one of the most fulfilling experiences of my education up until now. My Chatsworth athletic journey has brought me through five seasons of competitive basketball and two of competitive volleyball. While maturing as an athlete through my time here, I have also taken on roles of leadership and guidance, volunteering as an assistant coach in my respective sports.
Representing Chatsworth in sports has been a big source of pride for me. Along the way, I have cultivated qualities like discipline, resilience and cooperation that will be useful beyond high school sports. Having access to great facilities and being surrounded by people who share my passion for sports has made training and competing something I look forward to each day. It has undeniably shaped my identity, giving me countless memories and friendships that I’ll never forget.”
– Phoenix Adachi, Year 13, Male Student Athlete of the Year 2024/25
72 Bukit Tinggi Road
6463 3201 | chatsworth.com.sg
Singapore American School – physical education and competitive opportunities
All students at Singapore American School (SAS) can take part in school sports programmes. These include volleyball, soccer, basketball, rugby/touch, swimming, badminton, track and field, baseball, fast pitch softball and more.
Elementary school students can try sports in a low-cost and low-risk environment through the SAS intramural programmes. Those seeking a more challenging experience can sign up for skill development and club-level sports that are taught by professional coaches. Students can continue to participate in these sports programmes from middle school through high school. They can also represent the school in teams that play in ACSIS competitions locally and in the IASAS varsity tournaments internationally.
Hear from an SAS international student on their physical education experience
“I represent SAS through the rugby and soccer programmes. What it means to be a student-athlete at the school is that it’s bigger than just yourself. It’s about your team, as well as all the people who work hard to support you, including our athletic directors, athletic trainers, and everyone who has worn the jersey before you. Ultimately, you’re representing the whole programme all the way from elementary school to senior year, celebrating everyone’s growth and shared passion for sport.” – Synes, Grade 12
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
SJI International – school sports options starting from Elementary
At SJI International, sport is more than just games on a field – it’s about nurturing confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of being active. From the youngest students in Elementary School to competitive athletes in High School, the school’s sports programme inspires students to aim high, challenge themselves, and discover the joy of physical achievement.
The Elementary School embraces a true “sport for all” ethos. Every child is encouraged to participate, explore new skills, and experience the thrill of competition. With multiple teams entered in the ACSIS league each year, there’s a place for every international student to shine. Young athletes regularly represent the school at both local and international competitions, proudly returning with a growing collection of cups and trophies.
The school partners with professional coaches and providers in competitive swimming, tennis, football, netball, basketball and badminton. Their specialist expertise – combined with the dedication of the school’s Physical Education teachers and staff coaches – creates a programme that is both inclusive and aspirational, offering every child a chance to thrive.
By High School, students are competing at the highest level. The school’s ACSIS teams regularly compete at Division 1 across football, basketball, badminton, tennis, netball, rugby, touch rugby, volleyball and competitive swimming. For sports beyond ACSIS, students join CCA clubs or represent SJI International at the National School Games in disciplines such as fencing, sailing, golf, and taekwondo.
The Lawrence Da Silva Sports Complex, the heartbeat of the school’s sports, features a 25-metre competitive swimming pool, an indoor sports hall, fitness room and rock-climbing wall. There’s also sheltered basketball court, netball and tennis courts, and a FIFA- and IRB-approved turf field. This makes the campus a hub for training, competition and ACSIS finals.
Hear from an international student on school sports
“SJI International’s sports curriculum and facilities allow students to connect with others and develop new skills. Teachers guide and support students in surpassing their limits, creating an environment where both students and teachers learn from each other while exploring new sports and activities. The dedication and effort teachers put into helping their students instil confidence and curiosity, encouraging them to join teams and try new experiences. At SJI International, students are empowered to grow and become the best version of themselves, realising that they can achieve anything.” – Ana Pereira Alves, Grade 6
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Now that you’re sorted on physical education and sports programmes at international schools in Singapore, read our guide to things to do in Singapore! Also, check out parent reviews of international schools in Singapore.
Don't miss out on the latest events, news and
competitions by signing up to our newsletter!
"*" indicates required fields
