This inspiring Email from Mr Tan really made me feel like crying after reading.



Dear girls,




it is true we lost this match. But it is also true we fought hard all the way as a team. From the players on the court playing and helping with the balls, to the players on the bench and those filming, I am proud to say it was one hell of a great performance. The highlight for me was when those filming came down and cheered their hearts out for the team.



Although i look cool most of the time, as usual, my heart was going up and down with the scoreline - i worry for mr foo's heart lol.



I feel that this loss is actually a blessing in disguise, as i am very sure we will improve after this. We have to, and we will.



Remember girls, no one believed in us from Day 1. We were not going to be the all-conqueoring side of last year from Day 1. We were going to have to fight for each and every point in each and every match from Day 1. Given a choice, I would choose this path anyday.



And from the quarters onwards, we will have to play this way and really really fight for it - all the way to the finals. What this loss did was to let us get used to this pressure situation earlier, and we will be better prepared mentally than other teams who had it easy.




So let's focus on the next round and take each game and each point one at a time. Now is the crucial period - what you do now will directly affect the events of the next 2 weeks.



Give your 100% for each and every trainings we have left. Leave nothing behind.



If that is not enough, think about what you can do to improve.



Imagine 2-3 weeks from now, we have lost and are out(touch wood), and you have a time machine - what would you do if you have the chance to do it all over again? how would you have prepared? how would you have worked so very hard?



If we made many service errors, can we practice serving everyday? Is 50 balls a day enough? How about 100? How about 200? Is it possible to train so well that you can hit ANY area you like on the court?



If you feel your spiking is weak, can we do more PT? or go to the gym? skip more ropes? improve/change your spiking technique?



If you worry about the opponent, can we study them so closely that we know them like the back of our hands? can we look at the videos that the girls so diligently helped to record? can we study the statistics?



Is there enough time to do all these?



Ultimately, you have to answer these questions yourself. Coach will be there and do his part. The teachers will give any support required. Can you do more?



To the videographers - it is a thankless job you are doing, I understand your desire to be near to your teammates and cheer for them like you did today. But pls understand your job is extremely important as well. Jiaolian will study all the opponents you have taken and devise his tactics based on the videos. It is crucial we get the best view possible and record the best priceless moments. So pls continue with the good work! i suggest you take turns to cheer/record.



To the players who didn't play - it is not easy to prepare for a game and yet not play. There's defintely gonna be some disappointment but i think u gals responded wonderfully. You gave great support throughout the game and especially during training. Keep up the good work!



To the players - remember you are not fighting alone for we are with you! Keep up the courage, determination and fighting spirit shone today ya :p



To the y1s - it is not an easy transition from B girls to A division, but i believe you gals have done it seamlessly. You have done very well overall and shown glimpses of great moments. I also believe there's still alot you can improve on, another whole level you can go to. I hope you can go to that level in the next 2 weeks, dun wait for next year ya! and the tears you've shed for hwa chong today.......HC heart you.



To the lau zharbors - the juniors in the team look up to you and the pressures is great, you can do it! cherish each and every training session, each and every moment on court like it is your last. jiayou!



Lastly, from what i witnessed today, the team reminded me of something - “打不死的蟑螂” , so let us be the pesky little irritating thing that is a cockcroah that cannot be killed!!!!!




---


I'm touched.