Where can your child get a head start at sport?

Does your child love tennis, golf, swimming or running? Good news, the sports programme at Stamford American International School (Stamford) offers the opportunities –and world-class facilities – they need to excel! Not only is Stamford the only international school in Singapore to offer the American and International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculums from 18 months to 18 years, they also offer an extensive Athletics Programme offering sport for all students and encouraging them to participate and achieve to their fullest potential.

The Stamford Athletics Programme offers over 96 competitive teams (known as “The Lions”) from Under 8s to Under 19s, backed by 60 specialist coaches, and team sports such as badminton, basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, touch, track and field, and volleyball. Stamford’s sports program endeavours to support the core values of growth, community and integrity while developing a student’s character, lifetime wellness skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity and a sense of fairness and respect. All vital skills and attributes for performing at college, a career and life. Here are just a few highlights of the program.

Lions Golf

Stamford is the only Singapore school with an indoor golf academy. The Lions Golf Academy comprises two teams: the recreational Stamford Cubs and competitive Stamford Lions. Coordinated by a full-time PGA professional, all training is conducted at the Lions Golf Academy during the weekdays, with weekend training held at the Sembawang Golf Course. The aim is to provide a golf pathway from beginner to professional.

Lions Tennis Academy

The Lions Tennis Academy is a new introduction to the Stamford family, providing top-quality tennis aimed at the long-term development of each student’s skills. The programme ranges from Cubs (beginners) through to highly competitive teams who train on the two roof-top tennis courts. Stamford is the only international school in Singapore with full-time professional tennis coaches on staff. The Tennis Director and Coach is Rose, a Spaniard who was a Division I college player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) where she was voted MVP three years in a row. She is also a former Women’s Tennis Association top 300 ranked player.

Lions Gymnastics

Lions Gymnastics classes are offered all year round (both recreationally and at competitive levels) and taught in a fully equipped gymnastics centre. The teaching is athlete-centred and progressive, with an emphasis on the learning process as well as the learning outcome. The programme has over 200 gymnasts at all levels, from beginner to Level 7 WAG. Gymnasts are coached by a professional team of ex-national level coaches and teams compete both locally and regionally.

Lions Swimming

The Lions Swim Team provides the opportunity to pursue excellence in a training and competitive swimming program based on the principles of Long-Term Athlete Development and to develop swimmers for lifelong participation. There are over 450 swimmers in the programme from Learn to Swim through to the High Performance Squad. The program is overseen by Coach Gil Levy who has competed at a national level, and at multiple World Championship and World Cup events, and offers an extensive and elite level of international coaching experience. In exciting news, Stamford Grade 11 student Max Silver has qualified to compete in the FINA Swimming World Cup to be held in Singapore from 7 to 18 November, 2017. He will compete against some of the biggest names in swimming including Joseph Schooling, Ryan Lochte and Chad le Clos.

Co-curricular and After-school Activities (CCAs)

As well as participating in sport, Stamford places importance on encouraging students to develop passions at a young age. An extensive after-school CCA Programme is offered from Pre-Kindergarten up to Grade 12. Students have opportunities to explore their talents, develop new skills and be successful beyond the classroom in a wide range of after school activities from service and drama to creativity, music, sports and ICT. Students have over 400 choices and all are taught under the supervision of a team of dedicated and experienced teachers and specialists. CCAs include Rock Climbing, Dance, Judo, Chess, 3D Printing, Coding, Inline Skating, Super Chef, Minecraft and so many more to be explored in the comprehensive online CCA brochure.

Inter-school competitive opportunities

Stamford is a member of the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS) and field teams in the league from Under 8s through to Under 19s. Stamford is also a member of the prestigious South East Asia Student Activities Conference (SEASAC) and will host the SEASAC Soccer in November, 2017.