It’s well known that sport and physical activity are an essential part of a child’s education, and the benefits go beyond physical. There are loads of options on offer at international schools to suit all children; whether it’s football, badminton, rock climbing or swimming! Here, we find out about 12 international school sports programmes in Singapore (including one in Johor).
Nexus International School
Nexus offers a wide range of sports for students. Popular ones include football, swimming, rugby, badminton, touch, gymnastics, basketball, netball, volleyball, cricket, cross country and track and field. The sports programme is free and there is a co-curricular programme offering everything from basic football skills and tennis to “Get Sporty” groups. In January 2020, the school will open its Aljunied campus with an artificial turf field, two gymnasiums, two fitness suites, a running track, yoga studio and an aquatic centre with an Olympic-sized pool.
The school is a member of the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS) and competes both locally and internationally. During the sporting season, teams train up to three times a week. Footballers travel to the annual British International School Soccer 7’s in Phuket, while swimmers compete at FINA events and benefit from free on-site coaching, team breakfasts, Olympic swimming clinics and personalised training programmes. The school also offers swim scholarships.
A student’s thoughts
“I love playing on the volleyball, netball, basketball, badminton and track and field teams. Sport is my passion and I’ve been able to play multiple sports each season. Everyone has the opportunity to get involved, train and play matches. I’ve also been able to umpire and coach the younger netball teams.” – Maisie, Year 9
201 Ulu Pandan Road
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Marlborough College Malaysia
Marlborough College Malaysia places a huge focus on its sports and wellbeing programme. Their specialist team of teachers and educated practitioners lead regular sessions with both students and staff. The school’s aim is to allow each student to flourish athletically and achieve their individual ambitions. The addition of a new sporting centre now allows the school’s most athletically gifted pupils to be purposefully challenged and develop. Progress is constantly monitored and professional academy programmes are tailored based on each student’s needs.
The school’s main performance sports focus on football, swimming and hockey during Season 1, followed by rugby (boys) and touch rugby (girls) in Season 2. Season 3 is dominated by cricket, netball, athletics and tennis. Girls’ cricket was recently introduced with a great take-up. Alongside performance sports, the school also offers active sports such as badminton, basketball, climbing, squash and a triathlon programme. The school also hosts the Marlborough Straits series, which brings together teams from top international schools and clubs from Malaysia and Singapore each year. Find more about the sports programme and sports scholarship programme by emailing sport@marlboroughcollege.my
A student’s thoughts
“The football programme offers me the best opportunities to excel, with plenty of fixtures to develop game skills as well as sportsmanship, teamwork and camaraderie at local and overseas tournaments. My coaches have different styles, which makes each lesson technically diverse and enjoyable.” – Cordelia Marshall, Year 8
Jalan Marlborough, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia
marlboroughcollege.my
Australian International School
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, such as a 25-metre pool, football/rugby field, tennis courts, weights room and Athlete Development Programme lab.
Sports are played every day, including weekends for rep sports teams and clubs. The school also hosts and takes parts in tournaments under ACSIS and SEASAC, which are attended by many international schools. In addition, they compete in AISA (Australian International Schools Association) competitions in Asia.
A student’s thoughts
“The passion and love I have for sport is a result of AIS’s spirited sporting culture. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to watch, support and play for the AIS Sharks. I’m currently a member of the Under 19 First Football Team and our Coach Jordan Laing is a fantastic tactician and an inspiration to us all.” – Patrick Fox, Year 11
1 Lorong Chuan
6653 2958 | ais.com.sg
St. Joseph’s Institution International
Sport plays a big role at SJI International. Students have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of team and recreational activities as part of their extensive enrichment programme. In addition to PE lessons, there are a variety of sports organised daily, both before and after school. Popular options are football, basketball, netball, volleyball and touch rugby, which is becoming increasingly popular amongst the girls. The main focus of the school’s sports programme aims to develop lifelong transferable skills for students, such as collaboration and resilience.
The campus has a sports hall, climbing wall, fitness suite, 25-metre pool (with six lanes), grass field, three tennis courts, outdoor netball and basketball courts. The school also recently built a brand new FIFA-approved artificial turf field. Sports teams are selected to represent the school in both ACSIS and Singapore Schools Sports Council (SSSC) leagues. Individual students also represent the school in other sports, such as shooting, sailing, fencing and taekwondo.
A student’s thoughts
“I enjoy girls football and its encouraging atmosphere. The support that we give to each other reflects the determination that we have towards reaching a common goal. The encouragement from our coach, Mr Fern, has also boosted our team’s confidence.” – Amellia Putri, Grade 11
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Chatsworth International School
Students at Chatsworth can take part in a variety of competitive and non-competitive sports across various age groups. Popular sports include football, basketball, netball, swimming and badminton. There is also a keen interest in touch rugby, cross country running and mixed ultimate frisbee. Played once or twice a week, team-based sports are generally co-curricular activities as part of the school programme, and are conducted before or after school. Students also have the option of external non-competitive sports such as tennis and swimming that are conducted by external providers.
The school’s Bukit Timah campus has a huge indoor sports hall, seven-a-side soccer field, outdoor multipurpose court and swimming pool. At the Orchard campus, there is an astro pitch, a sports hall, a swimming pool and a basketball/netball court. Students are given the opportunity to represent the school at ACSIS competitions, and students are occasionally invited to prestigious international soccer clubs, such as FC Feyenoord, for try-outs.
A student’s thoughts
“I am part of the U19 (Girls Basketball) Division 1 team and even though we were unable to win as many games as we had wished, we fought and had fun. We’re ready to take on the next season. Life’s a ball!” – M. Welaratne, Year 12
Two international school campuses islandwide
chatsworth.com.sg
The Grange Institution
At The Grange Institution, students are able to benefit from a comprehensive physical education and health programme called BodySMART. For this, the school has teamed up with JACPA, one of Japan’s largest sports academies. As part of the collaboration, a specialist teacher comes to the school once a week to deliver the programme. Currently, the school caters to lower primary students, so opportunities for overseas exchange programmes or competitions will come in as they progress to upper grades. The school has links with over 120 schools in the region under the Crestar Education group. The school has plans to introduce a sports programme in early 2020.
In addition to the Body SMART programme, students enjoy physical activities at the school’s outdoor area during their daily play time. The campus’s flexible outdoor area can be converted to accommodate various sports such as badminton and table tennis. There is also a ropes course for students and a multi-purpose hall. The back of the school has a large field that can be used for outdoor activities after its planned development and as students progress into the upper primary years.
A student’s thoughts
“I love the big space that I have for doing cartwheels!” – Year 2 student
449 Yio Chu Kang Road
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
Tanglin Trust School
At Tanglin Trust School, students enjoy access to a fully inclusive sports programme. Students get to take part in various sports, including rugby, swimming, football, gymnastics, netball, athletics and basketball. Over 140 teams compete in 17 different sports each year, both in Singapore and the wider region. As a member of both SEASAC and FOBISIA, Tanglin’s students have ample opportunities to travel overseas and compete across Southeast Asia, as well as in tournaments in Australia and Dubai.
As a not-for-profit school, Tanglin believes in investing in their community and will be opening new facilities, including a 50-metre pool, gymnastics centre, climbing wall, physiotherapy clinic and sport science centre. Bringing in skills acquisition specialist Dr Richard Shuttleworth as the school’s new coaching and sports science director demonstrates the school’s ongoing commitment to develop young athletes. The school aims to nurture responsible, adaptable and independent decision makers as part of Team Tanglin.
A student’s thoughts
“Sport at Tanglin consistently teaches me how to be a better athlete and a better person. I have learnt to be committed, have the right attitude and work with a team towards a common goal. The ability to play numerous sports has given me amazing opportunities such as travelling and competing against other schools across Asia.” – Emma, U19 Girls Football Captain and Sportswoman of the Year
95 Portsdown Road
6770 3480 | tts.edu.sg
Singapore American School
All students at Singapore American School take part in the school’s sports programmes, which include volleyball, soccer, basketball, rugby/touch, swimming, badminton, track and field, baseball, and fastpitch softball. Students benefit from facilities such as the air-conditioned rock climbing wall, two batting cages, weight-training rooms, a 1,000-seater stadium and fields.
Elementary school students can try sports in a low-cost and low-risk environment through the school’s recreational programmes. Those seeking a more challenging experience can sign up for skill development and club-level sports that are taught by professional coaches. From middle school through high school, students can continue to participate in these programmes and can also represent the school in teams that play in ACSIS competitions locally and in the IASAS varsity tournaments internationally.
A student’s thoughts
“I feel the school has a conducive environment for athletes to achieve their goals and reach their potential. Having nine focused practices weekly helped me to qualify for the 2020 US Olympic Trials in the 100-metre backstroke category. It was rewarding to hear the announcer congratulate me on my achievement. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without help from my coach Aaron Gray and SAS athletics.” – Collin Schuster, Grade 12
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore)
The sports programme at Dulwich College (Singapore) is all-inclusive, with opportunities available to those wanting to play at any level, through to an athlete programme for those with sporting talent and aspiration. The College has multiple teams across football, rugby, touch and netball and extensive cricket, swimming and athletics programmes. Students have the opportunity to pursue any team or individual sport from the age of seven. The campus is well-equipped with purpose-built facilities such as a world class IRB-approved and sanctioned rugby/football field, hockey astroturf, an athletics track, three swimming pools, courts for ball sports, a state-of-the-art fitness suite, a cardio/dance centre and a gymnastics area. The sports programme is based on the long term athletic development of the individual. Specific focus is given to every student, and high-performing ones will be nurtured through the exclusive Student-Athlete Support Programme. As part of the Dulwich network, students take part in the Dulwich Junior Games and The Dulwich Olympiad (every four years) where they can compete against other Dulwich Colleges globally. There are also local and international competitions and sports tours, including ACSIS and FOBISIA tournaments.
A student’s thoughts
“I absolutely love P.E. and it is my dream that one day I will coach a team. Since I’ve been at Dulwich College (Singapore), I’ve been to FOBISIA competitions and the 7s football, and they were both so much fun.
– Gabriella Murphy, Year 7
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
UWC South East Asia
Over 4,000 students take part in sporting activities at UWCSEA each week. Popular representative sports include swimming, gymnastics, football, basketball, cross country, volleyball, badminton, softball, tennis, netball, rugby and touch. Both campuses house great facilities, including air-conditioned sports halls, learn-to-swim pools, climbing walls and fully-equipped gymnastics centres. Besides curriculum-based Physical Education lessons and Outdoor Education, students have opportunities to take part in recreational, developmental and representative sports as well as fitness and wellness activities. The school sends teams to competitions in Singapore and around the region, including SEASAC and ACSIS tournaments.
A student’s thoughts
“Sport is a great aspect of UWCSEA. You’re encouraged to try many different sports to see what’s out there. I started volleyball in Grade 7, which I thought was boring at first since I’d played basketball before. But I made a commitment to see it through and I admit I was wrong. The fast-paced active sport gives me a good workout during every training session and allows me to experience the community spirit of being in the team. I’m now part of the U19 A team and was selected to play for the East Dragons team in SEASAC. And to think that it all started with a sport I didn’t particularly like in Middle School!”
– Keaan Nesfield, Grade 10
East Campus, 1 Tampines Street 73 | 6305 5344
Dover Campus, 1207 Dover Road | 6775 5344
uwcsea.edu.sg
Dover Court International School
Dover Court International School offers a variety of sports for different levels. Popular sports include football, swimming, netball, basketball, rugby, touch rugby, cross country and athletics. Held in the afternoons, these team sports run as extra-curriculars. Students also have PE classes twice a week – either one regular PE lesson and a swimming lesson weekly (Nursery to Year 4), or PE once a week and swimming or PE once a week on rotation. As an inclusive school, Dover Court offers activities including movement and game play.
Students have great school facilities to enjoy, such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, running track and two sports halls. As members of FOBISIA, the school sends teams to the Primary and U13 FOBISIA Games in Thailand, and it also takes part in overseas swim meets and football tournaments with other Nord Anglia Education schools. In addition, Dover Court plays host to tournaments and friendly meets with ACSIS and other international schools in Singapore.
A student’s thoughts
“I discovered my passion for team sports through the inclusive and friendly environment that DCIS provides. I had no knowledge of basketball or netball, but they are now an essential part of my life thanks to the PE department’s nurturing and encouraging approach.” – Ana, Year 9
301 Dover Road
6775 7664 | nordangliaeducation.com
Stamford American International School
Stamford American’s athletics programme is committed to providing inclusive sport opportunities from Pre-Nursery to Grade 12. There are 106 competitive teams in sports, including volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf, gymnastics, badminton, touch rugby, swimming and cross country. Stamford has over 60 specialist coaches from all over the world. It’s through dedicated coaching that the school believes student-athletes will be nurtured and challenged to achieve their full potential. Students have access to excellent facilities, including three swimming pools, two rock climbing walls and an indoor golf studio. The school also has all year-round gymnastics, basketball, swimming, tennis, soccer, golf, volleyball and badminton academies.
Besides invitational sports tournaments, the U19 teams travel to SEASAC tournaments around the region. Stamford is a member school of ACSIS and SEASAC, and participates in tournaments with member schools in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Singapore.
A student’s thoughts
“The support of the sporting community has fostered my growth both academically and athletically. My passion for touch rugby grows exponentially each year, as I am provided with facilities that give me the opportunity to train like a lion and compete with the elite.” – Jenna, Grade 12 (Varsity touch rugby captain and athletic council tournament director)
1 Woodleigh Lane
6602 7247 | sais.edu.sg
Read more about living in Singapore, including all the latest school updates:
International schools in Singapore: HUGE GUIDE
How to choose an international school
