As parents of two young children, Mr Chew Guo Quan and Mdm Winnie Ang know the importance of family time. The couple, both 37, also realise that it’s essential to form healthy habits for their daughter Enya, 5, and son Enzo, 3, at a young age. “So when we heard about the Sports Hub Community Play Day and Santa Run for Wishes, we eagerly signed up again,” shares Mr Chew, a production manager. He was especially drawn to the run because of its philanthropic aspect. “It’s a unique way of giving back and I think the added element of exercise makes it a must-attend for families with young children.”
Sports Hub Community Play Day
The run will be a part of the two-day Sports Hub Community Play Day on 1 and 2 December 2018. To be held at OCBC Square, the quarterly hallmark affair is a chance for the community to be entertained, engaged and show support for a good cause. There’ll be fun for the whole family, with a series of carnival rides and games, an inflatable playground, a craft workshop as well as stage performances.
The Sports Hub Community Play Day is part of the Singapore Sports Hub’s Season of Giving, which will be held from 27 November 2018 to 1 January 2019.
To be held in collaboration with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre’s Giving Week Movement, the Season of Giving allows participants to support the Singapore Sports Hub’s adopted beneficiaries by giving as they wish. As HERE TO PLAY finds out, there are plenty of causes to support at this edition of Sports Hub Community Play Day and the Season of Giving:
- Take It To The Runway
An inclusive runway show like you’ve never seen awaits you at this special presentation by Fashion for a Social Cause Runway. Here the inaugural Singapore’s Next Top Inclusive Model Hunt Finals meets the Singapore Fashion Runway 2018 finale show. Aiming to make fashion accessible to everybody, Singapore Fashion Runway will partner Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design on the design and sewing of the outfits for the models. See fashion come alive in an interactive and high-energy presentation by more than 60 models, including people with special needs and local talents.The show will be held at OCBC Square on 1 December, 2.30pm to 4pm. - Fit For Good
Fancy yourself a #fitspo? Then have a go at X-Fit Challenge. Adults have to complete five stations, including an agility ladder and burpees with push-ups, while kids have to complete four stations. And even if you can’t finish the stations in time, at least you’d have done your bit for charity. Proceeds will go to Care Corner, the adopted charity for this programme. Care Corner runs a suite of programmes to help the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the community.
The X-Fit Challenge will be held on 1 and 2 December 2018. Give as you wish and proceeds will go to Care Corner. - Run For A Difference
Good news, runners. There are two runs being held at Singapore Sports Hub Community Play Day and both are for a good cause.The first is the Believe B60 Charity Run, which is organised by the Warriors Running Club in support of Care Community Services Society (CCSS). There are no registration fees but runners have to make a minimum donation. All of this — excluding third-party admin fees — goes directly to CCSS. Unlike other runs, the Believe B60 Charity Run is based on time and not distance. Runners can run free-and-easy for 60 minutes. There will also be a 60-minute relay run for four runners.
The other, Santa Run for Wishes, benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation® (Singapore). Proceeds from the run go to Make-A-Wish Foundation® to help grant wishes of children with lifethreatening conditions. Runners can look forward to three routes (2.5km, 5km and 10km).
Santa Run For Wishes will be held on 2 December, 7am.
Ready, Set, Go
As with every Sports Hub Community Play Day, participants can look forward to trying their hand at a new sport or workout. On 1 and 2 December, you can test your prowess in a number of interesting sports. Here are three must-trys:
> Archery Target Shooting Unleash your inner ʻRobin Hoodʼ in this thrilling test of skill and accuracy.
> Nerf Obstacle Navigate a challenging course using Nerf guns, toys that fire foam darts, discs or foam balls.
> TCHOUKBALL 2-V-2 This game combines volleyball and squash, and players here will compete in a lightning-paced two-on-two face-off.
And if that’s not enough, participants can also look forward to the following mass fitness workouts:
> Fitness Marathon By Giordano G-Motion This extended session takes participants through Zumba, Cardio Blast as well as Fitnjoy. Prepare to feel the burn!
Fitness Marathon by Giordano G-Motion will be held on 1 December, from 4.30 to 7pm.
> Fitness Workouts For Kids & Adults Keep your heart pumping hard with a series of high-intensity workouts. Activities include Zumba Kids Junior, Strong by Zumba and Cardio Attack.
These workouts will take place on 2 December, 1 to 4pm.
Lighting Up The Stage
No Sports Hub Community Play Day would be complete without a memorable performance. This time, it’s the OnWheels Dance Group that will electrify the crowd with its take on moves popularised by Michael Jackson. What makes them unique is the fact that the troupe is a wheelchair dance community, formed by physically-challenged individuals eager to lead an active lifestyle.
The group aims to nurture fellow wheelchair-user friends and inculcate in them a love for wheelchair dancing. The sport promotes rehabilitation and is a great de-stressor, says member Tommy Chua. The 59 year-old has been a part of the group for a year and looks forward to dancing to the King of Pop’s ‘Beat It’ during the Community Play Day. “Viewers can look forward to an energetic and unique routine,” says the selfemployed Mr Chua, adding that the troupe has been rehearsing weekly for a few months now. “All the hard work will be worth it when we show+D53 the audience the magic and joy of wheelchair dancing!”
Check out www.sportshub.com.sg/ CommunityPlayDay for more information on stage performances.
Also Happening
Come 1 and 2 December, Singapore Sports Hub will be a hive of activity. But not all of this will be sports and games. Participants can get a dose of culture as well as career advice, thanks to the following fringe activities:
- Film Screenings Immerse yourself in short films which recount true stories of giving between the 1970s and 1990s. The short films explore topics as diverse as poverty, the elderly and inclusive friendship.
Films will be screened on stage at Sports Hub Community Play Day on 1 and 2 December, from 12pm to 1pm on both days. Films will also be screened at the Sports Hub Library on 15, 16, 22 and 23 December, from 12pm to 2pm. - Sporting History Turn back the clock and delve into local sporting history at the Singapore Sports Museum. The museum will also host a mini-golf exhibition which opens till June 2019. The exhibition comprises 7 different kiosks, each representing a different venue at the Singapore Sports Hub. Participants will be given a mini-golf club and a ball, as well as a scorecard to record their points.
The golf exhibition will be held at the Singapore Sports Museum on 1 and 2 December, from 10am to 9pm. Admission is free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (photo ID required). - Skillsfuture Advice Take charge of your future by understanding the SkillsFuture schemes better through an informative sharing session. Participants can expect information about skills and training, job opportunities as well as the current labour market.
The sharing sessions will take place at the Sports Hub Library on 1 and 2 December, from 12pm to 1.30pm and 5.30pm to 7pm on both days.
The Giving Tree
This initiative encourages corporate donors to give back to the community. Dubbed ‘ChariTrees’, it involves a series of Christmas trees lining Stadium Riverside Walk, starting at OCBC Square. Each tree will be adopted by corporate donors, with proceeds going to the Singapore Red Cross.
Starting things off is the Singapore Sports Hub, which will adopt the tallest tree. Standing at 5 metres, it will be placed outside Stadium MRT exit A. All ChariTrees will be lit up at an official ceremony on 1 December. Adding to the festive cheer are carolling sessions and meet-and-greets with Santa on selected weekends.
Handmade Glory
The Sports Hub Community Play Day will house a festive bazaar, where you can get your hands on a variety of handicrafts. Perfect for those office Christmas parties!
HERE TO PLAY catches up with Ms Mya Yam of Myatodesign, one of the vendors showcasing her creations.
Tell us about Myatodesign.
Myatodesign is a community-driven craft agency and is the first to represent female leather crafters in Singapore’s night market scene. I started it because I feel that traditional handicrafts are losing their identity and I hope to preserve it for future generations.
What sort of products can participants look forward to?
Bespoke items handcrafted with passion. We do leather craft for everything from spectacle cases to keyrings. And all our goods come with free engraving, giving customers a personal touch. And it’s not just products you can enjoy. I’m also planning an interactive workshop for individuals to learn more about leather crafting.
What inspires your designs?
Simplicity and minimalism.
Colours Of The World
Young ones can unleash their creativity in this festive-themed colouring competition held at the Sports Hub Library. Decorate your very own Disney on Ice themed stocking and stand a chance to win attractive prizes. Submit your entries by 16 December and winners will be announced by 26 December.
Good Things Must Share
Spend And Redeem At Selected Sports Hub Venues*
- Spend a minimum of $10 to redeem complimentary festive wrappers designed by Singapore Sports Hub
- Spend a minimum of $50 in a maximum of 3 same-day receipts at selected venues to redeem a $10 Kallang Wave Mall voucher*
*Applicable to weekday transactions only. While stocks last!
Ask Mr Chew and his family what they’re up to over the weekend and more often than not, the answer is: working up a sweat. Driven by a belief in the power of exercise and an active lifestyle, Mr Chew and his wife engage their children in sporty activities whenever they can. “I think it’s far more beneficial than countless enrichment classes,” says Mrs Chew, a logistics manager. So it’s no surprise that the family will be taking part in Santa Run for Wishes. “We attended last year’s edition and found it really family-friendly,” explains Mrs Chew.
They were so pleased with their first experience at Santa Run for Wishes that they invited family and friends to join them at this year’s edition at Singapore Sports Hub. “Having it at Singapore Sports Hub makes it really convenient and it adds to the adrenaline rush of the event,” Mr Chew tells HERE TO PLAY. “It’s like we’re top athletes!”
Families will also enjoy fringe activities like Christmas Carolling (weekends, 1pm and 7pm at Kallang Wave Mall) and a Santa Express Mailbox (front of Stadium MRT, Exit A), where young ones can drop off their letters to Santa Claus. And if they still want to meet Santa, bring them to the same spot on weekends between 8 and 23 December, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, for a memorable meet and greet with Santa Claus.
Giving Week is a national movement that encourages everyone to give back. In collaboration with the movement and in support of SG Cares, Singapore Sports Hub is encouraging contributions to these beneficiaries:
- Care Community Services Society Singapore
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Fashion for a Social Cause
- Care Corner
- Singapore Red Cross
