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Tenth title, but ‘success is not a tradition’

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ABOVE: BACK ROW: JUSTIN SONG, MICHAEL ZHAO, HENRY TEO (CAPTAIN), NICHOLAS LIM, ERIC WEN, ROGER WONG, DANIEL QIN. FRONT ROW: CALEB LEE, DAVID KANG, BENJAMIN HUDONO (VICE CAPTAIN), KEVIN ZHANG.

Twelve years. Ten-time APS badminton champions. Two-time runners-up.

This was the season that the record of five consecutive APS badminton championship titles – set by Scotch College badminton between 2004 and 2008 – was matched. This was the season that the record for the most consecutive victories – Scotch College badminton’s 44 wins between 14 February 2004 and 21 November 2008 – was broken and extended to 49.

Scotch College badminton – comprising the 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 9/10A and 9/10B teams – has enjoyed a most successful season, winning 37 out of a possible 38 fixtures.

TIC of Badminton, Mr Peter Riley, other teaching staff, and coaches comprised entirely of Old Scotch Collegians – the 1sts with Danny Tan (‘04), the 2nds with Euikuk Park (‘08), the 3rds with Johnson Ip (‘10), the 4ths with Wing Zhang (‘14), the 9/10A with Jeffrey Lee (‘12) and the 9/10B with Jacky Yuan (‘12) – also take great pride in seeing each individual developing his skills, enjoying the sport, and improving his personal fitness and wellbeing.

Undoubtedly, Scotch College badminton has earned itself a fearsome reputation. While we view ourselves as a group of young men, representing the school we love in a sport we love, it seems that our opponents see us differently: a large, unconquerable, red brick wall, stopping all in their tracks.

While the comparison is flattering, it is more important to consider this notion of being a ‘brick wall’. What makes up a brick wall?.How can it be that a brick wall can be so strong?

A brick wall comprises of many individual bricks, but none of those bricks by themselves make the wall. While the individual bricks are important, the wall is more important because it takes the collection of individual bricks and turns them into something that is more than just the sum of its parts.

Further, a brick wall is not constructed by simply stacking many bricks together: it is made of bricks and mortar. While the bricks may represent the individuals that make Scotch College badminton, it is the camaraderie, dedication, determination, discipline, and passion – the mortar – that bonds us together, making us strong.

Some may point out that brick walls can be breached; but our history also reminds us that brick walls can be rebuilt and made stronger.

With its tenth title secured, many have described Scotch College badminton as having a ‘tradition of success’. While being attached with such a descriptor is most gratifying, we at Scotch College badminton would politely disagree with this notion, for we believe that it is a misnomer. While we strive for sporting excellence, we also believe in leveraging the ability of sport to teach values and life lessons.

A ‘tradition’ is a custom or belief passed down through the ages. To think that success can be described as a ‘tradition’ is pure fantasy, for success is not passed down – it is earned.

So ours is not a ‘tradition of success’. Rather, ours is a tradition of having a broad-based approach to fitness and general wellbeing. Ours is a tradition of dedication, determination, and discipline; of always aspiring to greater heights.

Which brings us back to the question: is Scotch College badminton a ‘brick wall’? For many, it may be, but to us it is much more: Scotch College badminton is our team. It is not built of bricks and mortar, but friendships and memories to last a lifetime.

DANNY TEE KEAT TAN (‘04)

Updated: 3 October 2016