Sports Education Programme - SEP disappointed

Extracted from SEP website:

"The Sports Education Programme (SEP) is a collaborative partnership between Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). Under SEP, each school is provided with a $10,000 dollar-to-dollar matching grant for them to take up sports programmes from an endorsed list. The SEP aims to advocate the importance of sports education, encourage sports participation in schools and increase sporting opportunities for the young. It also serves as an integrated and structured approach to link sports service providers with schools to ensure that innovative and quality sports programmes are delivered. "

I always get this question. "Have you tried going into schools?"

After applying for paintball introduction and speedball to be included into SEP since 6 months ago. I have received a reply from the SEP administrator. And here it goes:

"Lacking relevant coaching certification- NCAP theory level 1. Lacking coaching certification. Lacking First Aid certification"

This reply shows how much people know about paintball. Its jungle, its war, its uniform, its shooting one another, its blood, its expensive... no doubt. But there is more to it...so open your eyes guys...make it right.

Yes, there is no such thing as a coaching certificate for paintball. But no worries, PBAS is working on this. NCAP Level 1 Practical Paintball...interested?

But what amazes me most was the reply. I am saying this out of my own opinion and in no way should it be related to PBAS, Red Sevens, or the paintball community in Singapore. This is personal as the application was submitted using my name and the credientials of my certification was in questioned.

I went for NCAP Level 1 Theory in 2004 organised by SSC, got Level 1 Basketball Practical in 2005. Registered with Basketball Association Singapore for 2 years as a registered coach. Assistant to coaching staff for tertiary basketball team. Completed netball orientation to coaching in 2005 organised by Netball Singapore. Completed coaching certification level 1 with Basketball Australia. Completed a part time diploma in Sports and Exercise Sciences with Blackburn College. And still I am not good enough. The point I am trying to make is...the reason that was given is NCAP Level 1 theory...I am very sure if not 100% sure that I have supercede the requirment. So I wrote back to them.

And the reply was: "We did indicated clearly that we will need all the necessary supporting document" Fair enough...I am sure I did not submit all the documents needed. Sorry for that.

But could there be a form of review system to make up for it? E.g. what if my SEP application was before the time when I undergo coaching certification, what happens then? Isnt there a database that you can check? Which means, if I submit a bogus certification...do you take that for real?

Again...we are all short sighted... rejection is easy but picking up is never easy.

Paintball in schools? Never that easy...Paintball in schools for 2009? Just got booted.