6th entry for August VoM

We have the 6th entry, from Zhaoming once more. This time it is a video of him showcasing a cupie low pop over with a Braves flyer, Rui. Good job man Zhaoming, now hope to see you do it with your own flyer soon. It's really nice to see open exchange between teams, most times your breakthrough might come during one of such exchange.


P.S: Prize for VoM August currently stands at $60 to the winner

5th entry for August VoM

The 5th entry is again by Zhaoming. This is a video that showed 3 routines put up by teams with a combination of ACES and Braves players together in a same routine. It must be amazing to be in the same routine as the best cheerleaders around in Asia. The video was taken from far so I cannot see the faces of the players. I tried to spot where were the ACES players for each routine, but I was not able to. ACES was able to blend in completely and do not look out of place. This is indeed a rare and valuable experience to come up with a routine, train a routine, and performed a routine together with Braves.


P.S: Let's see you guys do the same back here in SG ok?

4th entry for August VoM

The 4th entry of the month is by Zhaoming. This is a video collage of ACES exchange with BRAVES. It is a nicely done video of pictures that told the story of their recent trip to Japan. In case some who do not know, Braves is a cheerleading squad from NBU, Japan. They are the undisputed best team in the country and often in Asia. Hope my ACES juniors did enjoy their stay there, learn and bring back some new skills, techniques and training philosophy.


P.S: How I miss Japan suddenly

3rd entry for August VoM

We have a 3rd entry and it is a video posted and tagged by KC, another member of Astros. It's been some time since we have a raw video with no edits or music to it. This video does not require any form of touch up and it is awesome on it's own. Very nice scenery at the back and the stunts were amazing, Toss Cupie hands Full Around Liberty Tick Tock Low High Liberty. They probably had a very good hit rate on this stunt sequence to be able to do it outdoors under the scorching sun with minimum spotters.



P.S: Keep the videos simple and send them in.

2nd entry for August VoM

This is a video uploaded and tagged by Joseph from Alpha Verve. I was tagged originally on the 2nd of July, but I missed it as an entry for July VoM as I was having ICT. Only today when going through my FB videos that I realised it. So in that case, I have decided to consider it as an entry for August VoM.

A little about Joseph, he is the vice captain of Alpha Verve, a tall and strong base. Other than that, he was also a very good leader and always puts his team before himself. Keep up the good work Joseph and continue to work hard for Alpha. Also well done Alpha and esp Mic for the toss step up gladiator. You guys got lots to improve on though.



P.S: A reminder that videos less than 10 seconds will not be considered an entry

1st entry for August VoM

The 1st video for VoM August. This is a video uploaded by Ruth from Astros and tagged by Kah Weng, also from Astros. Astros is a newly established team founded by 10 cheerleaders who have graduated from their previous squads but are still very passionate about cheer. Astros is formed with a key objective in mind, that is to promote cheerleading via doing performances, and also as a avenue for them to continue their love for the sport. It was a nice first performance put up by Astros, hitting ASU. Looking forward to more performances and videos from Astros. Jiayou Astros.

P.S: To infinity and beyond

Wildcards Stunt Fest 2010

Went down for Wildcards' Annual Stunt Fest on last Saturday. It began with a performance put up by Wildcards.



Even though they may have dropped a couple of stunts, but I have to say that I am still very impressed by the routine, the level of difficulty put into a performance which can easily have been of competition standard. First time ever 7 unassisted cupies were done in a routine, a definite upgrade from the more common 7 single liberties. The other WOW element had to be their 3 libery hitch 360 to gladiator during the cheer segment, drawing huge cheers and applause from the crowd.

After the performance, the stunt fest began. Cheerleaders from teams all around SG, such as Alpha Verve, Denvers, Legacy, Wildcards, Gusto, Genesis, Spectrum, Astros gathered to stunt. They also had featured guest, Eric and Laura from Queen's University of Canada to grace the event.

I have to say that the standard of cheerleading has risen another level, judging by what I saw during the stunt fest. Everyone was trying stunts which were seldom seen or done in SG a year ago. There was also a mass cupie photo taking session and probably almost every single flyer there got on to a cupie, there must have been about 20 of them.

It is great to see everyone improving so fast, and this is only possible if you are open; receptive to advice and at the same time share your ideas. This constant exchange of information will allow cheerleading to grow exponetially. In the age of the internet, everything is moving at a faster pace now; if you holed yourself up, you will decline and become obsolete very quickly.

Now to talk about my personal performance that day during stunt fest. I did pretty ok, managed to hit the stunts that I could do fairly consistenly, but towards the end, I lost quite a bit of strength after I grew tired. My stamina was bad, and I must work on it in order to improve. Snow was in fact very dissapointed that day, dissapointed with my lack of stamina. In all I was fairly pleased with my 2 arms stunts, but dissapointed in my 1 arm stunt, in particular Full up Cupie and Full Around Cupie. Still a long way to making these 2 stunts consistent.


The only half successful Full Up Cupie to Full Around Cupie of the day.

Well to sum it up, everyone had a good time during the stunt fest and everyone is improving alot. A few breakthroughs were also achieved by some that day. I myself had a good training and was very pleased to see all the enthusiastic cheerleaders.


P.S: Consistency is something that I need to work hard to; work hard to being "routine ready"

Astros

P.S: Small steps at a time

BPoM July (1st) Prize Presentation

There are 2 winners for BPoM July. They are Clement with Ainslie and Gary. We are giving out the prize to the winners of the first ever BPoM challenge.

They won themselves $75 each. We are very happy to have the prize presentation to the winners before the Stunt Fest organised by Ulu Pandan Wildcards. Let's take a look at the prize presentation.

Chaang giving out the prize to Clement

Cheque of $75 with Clement's name on it

Gary's turn

Another $75 cheque awarded to Gary

Thank you all for supporting BPoM. Keep writing.


P.S: Thanks alot to Chaang once again.

If you want something you never had, do something you have never done

Today morning I was listening to 93.8FM over the radio and they were discussing about whether school children should be given so much homework or remedial lessons during their 1 month term break. There were people calling in with various different opinion, some for it and some against it, but from what I gathered, mostly wanted a form of break for the kids in case of burn out and that parents should be the one responsible and accountable for making the decision whether to send the kids back to school for extra lessons.

In my opinion, I felt that the kids should be given the break, have the entire 4 weeks to themselves or choose what they want to do with it with the guidance of their parents. To me I felt that education is important, but not a must; so what if you can get a degree certificate, or a masters or PHD. Maybe I am thinking like this due to the nature of my job now, which I got thanks to my degree; I do not love doing it. On hindsight, I would definitely have live my life in a completely different manner if I can go back in time.

People now work so hard, even at things they may not love doing. All they think of is get a job, earn enough money, get married then have kids so on. Seldom do they think of whether they love what they are doing and doing it just for the sake of getting married, house, kids… Whatever happened to the passion in life? If you asked me if I can go back to when I was 21 agin and whether I would choose to go to university again, my answer will be YES. If not I would not have gone to NTU ACES and found my passion.

However, I would approach my university life in an entire different manner. Please do what you love to do when you still have the time and without the burden of adulthood. University is your last chance for most, the time in your life when you have the most freedom and least burden. For me, I would have picked up one more thing other than cheerleading, that is financial education. The schools do not teach it to you, but once you started working, then you would start to realize the importance of it, but then you would have less time to learn about it, and the younger you start the better. This shall be the key to your ultimate freedom.

I always look at some of my peers with envy, how they are doing what they love, and doing it all out - to become a full time cheerleader or coach. They are the ones who dared to live their dreams. If investing time in your education is important, I would say that investing time in your dreams is even more important. These people who do cheer full time invest a lot of time and efforts into their dreams and they dared to dream. I know of some who are earning more income than I am banking on my degree certificate. And you can imagine how much more they are earning than a typical diploma holder or A/Os holder who get a job in the “traditional sense” (no offence to diploma or A/Os holders). I even know of 1 person who can completely drop out of his degree program to pursue his passion of cheerleading and guess what, he is now earning 100USD a day coaching overseas. Not bad or what, speaking of overseas opportunities and high pay. Of course they are not earning that by chance, but by many years of effort before that, and I repeat again, because of their dreams. Of course every profession has it’s pro and cons, I can think of a couple of cons for cheerleading, but, a big BUT, you are living your dreams and love what you are doing. This is the most important.

I am not saying that cheerleading is for everyone, some may really love being an engineer, an accountant, a teacher, a banker etc. The point I am trying to get at is LOVE what you are doing, if you do not love it, don’t do it. So now to those doing your degree, probably the final lap of education for most, is the course you are in what you love doing? Or do you know where you are going from there? If not, start really thinking hard about what you want, and if you already know what you love doing, start working hard at it to become the best. There is always room for the best in every industry.

It took me 3 years since my graduation to figure all these out, it is not a waste for I have learn many along the way too, but you do not need to spend 3 years of arduous efforts and time to realize all these. I have this desktop wallpaper at my work laptop that has this 3 quotes:

“If you want something you never had, do something you have never done.”

“Don’t take the way life takes you, take the life the way you go”

“And remember you are born to live and not living because you are born”

For those who really love cheer, stick to it, do what your passion tells you to do, there is a road ahead. From afar I can see it slowly emerging from the fog. And we all need to work together to make this a reality, the only way for it to happen is if we move ahead, instead of stagnating or moving backwards due to petty squabbles or politics. Have a bigger heart for things and learn to forgive. The more you give and the more you will receive. Let’s push ahead through the fog and we will be able to see the abundance behind it.


P.S: Everyday I dream...

Kelloggs Trainings

The thing I love most about our trainings is that we are very efficient and everyone does what they are supposed to do. We do not even have breaks or sit down, just the occasional sip of water. I guess that is how training has to be for working people; train for an hour plus a day and rush home to sleep.

However there is 1 thing; KW said we are like stunt man, lack the liveliness and cheerfulness. I guess sometimes it is very obvious when seeing from the outside, but hard to notice when you are doing the routine. This is something we need to work on, afterall we haven been performing for years.

Took some clips of our 10-men routine training for this Sunday's performance and compiled them up. If you want see the full run, catch us live at Shape Run this Sunday.




P.S: I want to thank all in the routine for their sacrifices over the past 3 trainings, it is not possible to get all these done without all of you and without your professionalism.

This is it

Had a great routine training last night. It's been a while since I ran a routine, and a pretty long routine it was. So glad that I still keep myself in shape all these while, else I would have collasped.

Speaking about keeping in shape; FCS will be conducting a National Team Tryouts soon to form the long awaited Singapore Team, where the best of the best will gather, train and perform together. So keep yourself in shape if you want a shot at making the team.

FCS are currently working with sponsors for the team and will release more information real soon. For more information, check out http://fcs.sg/ - Team Singapore Cheerleading Team.


P.S: I can almost picture what a wonderful routine it is going to be in my head already... Be a part of it.

My life is great

Haven been blogging much these days, was really busy and living a great life.

It feels good to be in a routine once again, even though just a simple one. The people are the ones that made it so enjoyable, everyone is the best of the best and it is my pleasure to be amongst them. We will also hope to improve ourselves and increase the standard as we move along.

Is winning a championship more important or learning the ropes of cheerleading more important? Is it easier to win a championship or is it easier to become a good cheerleader?

Anyway we will be at Shape Run on the 25th of July, Sunday morning 7am. =)

BPoM 1st entry for August

Our 1st BPoM August entry, posted and tagged by Yiqian from Gusto. Yiqian is currently athe Publicity IC of Gusto. Though I only met you a few times, for each time I can see you improving; the last time we met you can achieve a toss cupie already. A very nice post by Yiqian and to sum it up - Everyone should push themselves out of their comfort zone in order to improve. Gym more, stretch more at your own time, even if you are very busy, 15 mins a day would be very good. Having the right attitude to learn, never quitting and nothing is impossible. Set your targets, put words into action and work passionately to it.

Check out the post by Yiqian: 1st BPoM August entry or here

Get $$$ living your passion

Feel that cheerleading is taking up alot of your time, many hours of lost opportunities for work?

Or not enough money for that new pair of shoe, or to have some for supplements, or not enough for going gymnastics lessons, or not enough to pay for your uniforms, or to have that bit extra to go for workshops or subsidise overseas exchange?

Or any other reasons that you need more money?

Well just take part more in our VoM and BPoM challenge and you can definitely help address some of the above issues, and by only for doing what you love - that is cheerleading.

Take down more videos during training and write out more of your thoughts and feelings about trainings etc into blog posts and stand a chance win money living your passion.


P.S: Believe me that you can expect much more as we move along together; so start early.

Blog Post of the Month July '10

This is the very first month that we started Chaang BPoM, courtesy of Chaang. And for our very first month, we have a total of 5 entries; 4 early bird entries and 1 normal entry (early bird stands to win $75 while normal wins $50). Now let us recap the entries:

1. Blogged by Ochi
2. Blogged by Gary
3. Blogged by Clement, tagged by Ainslie
4. Blogged by Gerard
5. Blogged by Richard

Once again thanks to all the participants of BPoM contest, for your part in helping to promote the cheerleading in Singapore. So for the first time ever in history, let's announce the winner for BPoM.....

Well we were very happy with the quality of the entries and had a tough discussion over the winner but still came to a dead lock. Hence Chaang decided to award 2 winners for this month BPoM, and they are to Gary and Clement & Ainslie (Clement and Ainslie will split 50-50). Let's congratulate them.

As for the prize, Chaang decided that even though there are 2 winners, he will not split the prize like probably some others would, but instead he shall double up the prize to a total of $150. for this month. His point is simple: If he decided to award 2 champions, he will give both champions what they rightfully deserved as champions in the first place. Therefore Gary and Clement & Ainslie will walk away with $75 per entry.

Their Blog Post once again:

Gary - Want to be champion?

Clement via Ainslie - An introduction to my partner.

Gary's post was set in a serious tone, highlighting in his opinion the dos and don'ts that makes a champion. It was his straight forwardness and no BS style that we loved about his blog post. He voiced out points many might not like to listen or accept; but they are very honest opinions that everyone can take note of. We would love to see more of such open post; posts that comes from the heart and no holds barred.

Clement's post was a little more light hearted but captured our attention for highlighting several important elements in training for cheerleading. His post is about how practice makes prefect and that everyone starts from scratch and learn from setbacks to become smarter and stronger. Having a common goal was also the key for him and his partner and I would say to all teams too. In Clement words, "No pain no gain" and when your goal is met, the taste is undeniably sweet and one can only feel it themselves. We loved the use of the video in the post too, to further etched the points across to the readers.

Congratulations once again to the winners. and also thanks to all for the participation. Hope to see more interesting Blog Post in the coming month.

A special thanks again to Chaang for generously increasing the prize for this month, and for his efforts in doing his part to promote cheerleading in Singapore.


P.S: Gary, Clement and Ainslie pls contact us for the prize presentation. Thanks.

Video of the Month July '10

For this month, we have 3 videos for VoM challenge. Though not as much as the previous month, I still like to congratulate everyone who participated. Now let us recap the entries:

1. Video by Ka Hau
2. Video by Zhaoming
3. Video by Evanns

Ok, now time to announce the winner of VoM July; and it goes to.......

Zhaoming coach of Magnum and Flare for posting the video featuring Andrew and Jiahui training for their Full up Cupie. Let's give a round of applause

Once again, this video shows that hardwork is the key for cheerleading, that we fail all the time, but those who learn from the countless failuers and preservere will ultimately succeed.

Congratulations to Zhaoming (and Andrew, Jiahui - Zhaoming will treat right?), you have won $50.


Thanks to all for the participation. See more videos soon =)


P.S: Stay tuned for special promotion for August VoM

2 more days

2 more days for the dateline of VoM and BPoM July.

We currently have 5 entries for BPoM and only 3 entry for VoM.