Sport at international schools in Singapore is an integral part of the educational experience – the educators understand that the benefits of physical activity contribute to a child’s development in many areas including physical strength, mental resilience, social skills and life skills. From football to martial arts, there’s so much on offer through these International School sports programmes.
Nexus International School (Singapore) Sports Programmes
Nexus is a member of the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS), which means the school’s learners can choose from a range of competitive sporting options; these include football, swimming, rugby, badminton, volleyball, netball, cross-country, athletics, gymnastics and basketball. The school is equipped with a FIFA and World Rugby-specified AstroTurf field, two gymnasiums, two fitness suites, a running track, a yoga studio, a 50m Olympic-sized pool and an aquatic centre. These world-class facilities assist our learners to strive for their absolute best and to achieve their goals.
Student athletes compete locally and on an international level. Leading the way is the Nexus Swim Team, which frequently competes in global competitions such as the FINA World Cup and European Junior Swimming Championships. Nexus footballers also travel to the annual British International School Soccer 7s Tournament held in Phuket, Thailand and their volley ballers travel to New Zealand for the NZ Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships.
Nexus also offers swim scholarships and the well-founded swimming training regime is complemented by on-site elite coaching with personalised training programmes. As the school continues to grow in their new campus, additional opportunities will be offered to their learners and community.
A student’s thoughts
“The Nexus Swim Team community is the best team I’ve been a part of; it has such a great environment. The new campus has so many amazing facilities and equipment that I’m sure will help the team to excel. Nexus has supported me in many ways academically as well as in sports.” – Carmen, Year 13, winner of the LEN European Junior Swimming Championships 2021
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
SJI International Sports Options
SJI International students have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of team and recreational activities as part of their extensive enrichment and PE programmes. The staff and team of professional outside providers work together to ensure that all SJII students develop lifelong transferable skills through sport. The school’s aim is to get as many students as possible hooked on the joy of participation in sport; this past term, they had a 75% student participation rate in their Elementary (Grade 1-6) Sports Clubs programme. They’re also committed to increasing participation in girls sport; in the same term, 53% of girls in Grade 2 to 6 signed up for at least one ACSIS Sports Club.
The campus offers two indoor sports halls, a competition climbing wall, fitness suite, 25-metre pool with six lanes, grass field, three tennis courts, outdoor netball and basketball courts, and a FIFA- and IRB-approved artificial turf field.
SJI International is a member of the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools and Singapore Schools Sports Council. The school participates in the full range of team and individual sports that are on offer, from under 8s through to under 18s. In addition to the competitive school sports programme, there’s also a wide range of recreational games, dance and martial arts.
A student’s thoughts
“Accessibility lies at the core of SJII’s sports curriculum. Students of different skill levels can join new teams throughout the year, with specialised training sessions catered to mixed abilities. It’s not rare for students to pick up new sports later on in their high school experience and significantly improve in short amounts of time. We’ve learnt the importance of teamwork, respect and hard work through training, and built lifelong friendships. – Taila and Leon, Grade 12
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore) Sports
Dulwich College (Singapore) is known for its sporting prowess and has achieved success in local and regional inter-school competitions. While competing at the highest level of school sports programmes, the College believes that all students should have access to sport, regardless of ability, so that they have the chance to experience being part of a team as well as the camaraderie and development opportunities. The school fields as many teams as they need to give everyone a chance to play.
High-performing sports students looking to play at an elite level can further develop their physical skills and mental resilience through Ignite!, Dulwich’s performance development programme. Ignite! provides technical and tactical support, individual health and fitness plans, cognitive support and training as well as lifestyle mentoring to support students academically. As part of the Dulwich College International network, students can be selected to take part in the Dulwich Games, Dulwich Olympiad and also external competitions such as those hosted by FOBISIA and ACSIS.
A student’s thoughts
“Being part of the Ignite! at DCSG is something special; it encourages me to reach my full potential not just in terms of physical training but also managing my education. Ignite! has also enabled me to become friends with those who have similar aspirations and work ethic, all of which encourages us to be the best that we can be. I will be forever grateful for everything I have learnt from sport at DCSG.” – Isobel Rance, Year 11, U19 Touch Rugby, U19 Netball, U19 Football, student coach of U12 and U14 Touch Rugby
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Australian International School Sports Programmes
The Australian International School sports programme offers students many opportunities in a wide range of sports such as volleyball, basketball, swimming, netball, rugby, touch and football. Physical education is part of the curriculum and includes the teaching of technical aspects of different sports. There are also many co-curricular sporting activities on offer and the school hosts regular carnivals (athletics, swimming, cross-country and biathlons). Students have access to a great array of facilities at the school. These include a 25-metre pool, a football/rugby field, tennis courts, a weights room and an Athlete Development Programme lab.
Sports are played every day, including weekends for rep sports teams and clubs. The school also hosts and takes part in tournaments under ACSIS and SEASAC, which are attended by many international schools. In addition, it competes in AISA (Australian International Schools Association) competitions in Asia.
A student’s thoughts
“Ever since I joined the Sharks community in 2014, I’ve learnt the importance of giving everything a go. I take pride in representing the Sharks as its sporting community allowed me to overcome the language barrier when I first arrived in Singapore. My main sport is karate, for which I currently hold the national age-group title and represent Singapore in numerous international competitions. At AIS, I love to involve myself in numerous sports from cross-country and basketball to swimming and touch. I’ve met the most inspirational coaches and teachers here and I love the life lessons learnt through sports, beyond developing physical strength.” – Yuriko Masui, Year 11, AIS Sports Prefect
1 Lorong Chuan
6653 2958 | ais.com.sg
Tanglin Trust School Sports Programmes
Tanglin Trust School students enjoy access to varied sports activities. These have been carefully curated to nurture responsible, adaptable and independent decision makers. The school’s sports programme offers a progressive pathway, which is designed for students during their younger years to develop confidence and a strong foundation in terms of movement skills and spatial awareness. Students receive high-quality coaching with a wide range of activities including games, movement freestyle, martial arts, climbing, gymnastics and aquatics.
Senior students have opportunities to pursue excellence in their chosen sports with focused training throughout the year for under-14 to under-19 teams. These include football, rugby, touch, netball, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, badminton and basketball. Each year, selected squads represent the school in the SEASAC and FOBISIA conferences and compete with over 160 teams in the ACSIS league.
Tanglin is continuing its ongoing commitment of developing the potential of its young student athletes, and will soon be adding to its extensive facilities for international school sports. These include a new 50-metre pool, gymnastics centre, athletic development gym, indoor cricket nets, climbing wall, physiotherapy clinic and Sports Science Centre.
A student’s thoughts
“Playing sport at Tanglin has provided me with unique and memorable experiences. It has given me the opportunity to develop my athletic ability, compete against schools across the region and form meaningful friendships. I’ve learnt the importance of teamwork and have developed resilience. Both have had a positive impact on my overall education.” – Alyiah S.
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
Overseas Family School Sports Program
At Overseas Family School (OFS), students enjoy access to a wide variety of sports through inclusive athletics programmes designed to encourage mass participation and a spirit of commitment, leadership and sportsmanship. Supported by the school’s beautiful, modern campus equipped with facilities such as an all-weather Olympic standard swimming pool and gymnastics centre, students can take part in sport at varying skill levels through its Enrichment Program, After School Sports Program or Competitive Sports Program.
OFS is a member of the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools. High-performing student athletes who wish to compete in sports at an elite level can choose from a wide variety of popular options such as swimming, rugby, badminton, and basketball.
A student’s thoughts
“I’ve been provided with many high-level sports opportunities at OFS from earning a Taekwondo black belt through its Enrichment Program to swimming at the Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships as part of the OFS Tigers competitive swim team. Through countless hours of training, I’ve learnt the true meaning of determination and dedication; these sports have brought out the best in me. We have some of the most supportive coaches and I thank them for consistently helping me to become a better sportsperson. It has provided balance to my academics and is something that I truly enjoy.” – Naya Verma, Grade 7
81 Pasir Ris Heights
6738 0211 | ofs.edu.sg
Stamford American International School Athletics and CCA’s
Stamford American International School’s Athletics and CCA programmes offer inclusive sport opportunities from Pre-Nursery to Grade 12. There are competitive sports teams in volleyball, basketball, soccer, rugby, track and cross-country, amongst others. Stamford also offers year-round training by specialised coaches in gymnastics, golf, swimming and tennis through the Lions Academies. The ROAR values, state-of-the-art facilities and dedication to student growth all help student athletes achieve their full potential. Stamford is a member school of the ACSIS League within Singapore as well as the SEASAC league in the region.
A student’s thoughts
“Stamford’s athletics and facilities such as the golf studio and field are unlike anything I’ve previously seen in schools. Throughout my six years here, the school’s athletics program has helped me grow as an individual and form meaningful connections with my teammates. Participating in events like SEASAC allowed me to travel and proudly represent my school. Thanks to my wonderful coaches, I was able to develop my skills as an athlete and also build leadership and teamwork skills that continue to benefit me beyond sports.” – Julia Houssa, Grade 12, U19 Football Captain & U19 Golf
1 Woodleigh Lane
6602 7247 | sais.edu.sg
Singapore American School Sports Programmes
All students at Singapore American School have the opportunity to take part in school sports programmes. They include volleyball, soccer, basketball, rugby/touch, swimming, badminton, track and field, baseball and fast pitch softball.
Elementary school students can try sports in a low-cost and low-risk environment through the school’s 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 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.
A student’s thoughts
“My leadership skills and determination wouldn’t exist without SAS. Having the ‘Eagle Way’ embedded in my nature has helped with my athletic achievements, from being a four-year triple-letter athlete to playing on the Singapore national football team. Seeing my hard work pay off while playing IASAS soccer has been a highlight. SAS has given me so many opportunities. I’m eternally grateful for the skills I’ve learnt on and off the field.” – Sarah Datta, Grade 12
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Read our guide on things to do in Singapore and check out the best restaurants too.
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