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The Singapore Cricket Club (SCC), the premier sports club on the Padang, will be commemorating Singapore’s Bicentennial with two weeks of events and activities, while raising funds for sports development under the auspices of SportCares.
Using sport as a force for social good, SportCares leverages sport experiences to make a positive difference to the lives of the vulnerable and under-served communities in Singapore. In addition to persons with disabilities and special needs and seniors, SportCares designs and delivers sport-based development programmes that engage children and youth at-risk – this includes football, rugby, swimming, athletics, and floorball.
As the nation comes together this year to commemorate Singapore’s Bicentennial, it is a fitting time to also look to the future and engage children and youth by ensuring they are all well-equipped with life skills, explained SCC President Sher Baljit Singh.
“SCC is a sports and social club with a history dating back to 1852 that has always placed great importance on sports and the development of the sporting landscape in Singapore. We have youth development programmes for different sports, and we have experienced for ourselves how sports can help sharpen vital life skills such as communication, patience, discipline and leadership,” noted Mr Singh.
SCC already has partnerships in place with SportCares through its SCC Rugby Academy, making rugby accessible to all through weekly and monthly coaching sessions with Beyond Social Services and East Spring Secondary School that are run as part of the academy’s outreach program.
Besides that, it also encourages players from the SportCares sessions to take advantage of its scholarship program, which is open to Singaporean youngsters who do not have the financial means to participate in rugby regardless of their financial means.
Mr. Singh said: “SportCares shares the same ethos as us of community engagement through sports, and we were happy to take on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s suggestion of SportCares as a charity which we could adopt and support.”
“We already partner with SportCares through our SCC Rugby Academy, and we are excited to further collaborate with this organisation that is dedicated to leveraging sports experiences to make a positive societal difference,” he added.
The SCC Heritage Charity Ball
The SCC has already begun its raising funds for SportCares through various activities. However, its main fundraiser will be the SCC Heritage Charity Ball on the 25th of October, at the luxurious InterContinental Singapore.
The SCC will be conducting charity auctions during the night in attempt to raise a significant amount for SportCares.
St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic arm of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group, will be joining the celebration in commemoration of the Singapore Bicentennial.
St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, which has been supporting underprivileged children and youths since 1992, has to date raised and
distributed over SGD140 million to charities across the world and provided aid to those in need.
Supporting SportCares in transforming lives through sports, St. James’s Place will match every dollar raised at the SCC Heritage Charity Ball, up to S$50,000.00.
Book your tickets for the Charity Ball here.
SCC Football Carnival, in partnership with SportCares
What’s more, the final event of the SCC’s Bicentennial celebrations is the SCC Football Carnival on the 26th of October, at the Padang, in partnership with SportCares.
The morning will kick off with a children’s football clinic for SportCares constituents and SCC members conducted by Chelsea Football Club International Development Centre (CFCIDC).
After that, SCC will host an Under-14 seven-a-side mini football tournament for SportCares football teams from its development programmes, providing another platform for SportCares’ constituents to play, interact with others and learn to be better versions of themselves through sports.
The winning team will be invited to compete in the 2020 edition of the SCC International Soccer7s Tournament (6 – 7 June).
“As we commemorate Singapore’s Bicentennial, we believe it is also important to reflect on the road ahead; we believe it is our responsibility in ensuring every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and chart their future,” commented Mr Singh.
“Sports is a great positive force that can inspire and enable our children and youth and build stronger communities. These are the goals of SportCares and we are privileged to have the opportunity to encourage their good work,” he added.
PM Lee to be bestowed the honorary title of “Visitor” during year-end Visitor’s Dinner
Not forgetting, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will grace the SCC with his presence at the Visitor’s Dinner on the 5th of December, during which the SCC will bestow him with the honorary title of “Visitor”.
Prime Minister Lee will also be receiving the cheque on behalf of SportCares for all the funds raised during the SCC’s Bicentennial Celebrations.
The SCC honorary title of “Visitor” has, to date, only been bestowed upon then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (1970) and then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (2007).
Summary of the SCC’s Singapore Bicentennial Events:
For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
