Many of us are aware of SSC’s lacklustre commitment to nurture aspiring local athletes, but how about our local coaches? Do they suffer similar nonchalant treatment as local athletes? Do our indigenous coaches receive the necessary training and developmental support to pursue their passion in grooming athletes for our country? Does our government give them the same incentives and coaching opportunities as foreign coaches, and empower them to take over our national teams in the future?
Let’s hear how our authorities helped to lift the dire situation for our coaches.In mid-2013, the owner of a private recreational facility suddenly decided to stop providing “private 1-1 lessons” for its customers despite their popularity among students, without giving any prior warning or justification for the decision. The controversial new regulation not only inflicted immense anxiety among the students but also great financial uncertainties for the coaches as they were commission-based employees, whose wages hinged on the number of classes they taught. To worsen the matter, these coaches could not seek similar job opportunities elsewhere in the same industry to make up for their lost wages as they had signed “exclusivity” agreements with their employer. They could not resign either as their contract states a requirement of “6 months’ notice”, otherwise to “pay a sum equal to the commission calculated based on the monthly average of the last three months’ earned commission” for a one-year work contract.
Official Response from SSC (Singapore Sports Council):
Regarding the prohibition of freelance contract coaches from coaching….. we advise that coaches who may have signed such exclusive agreements with other parties and who would like to coach at the Rink should thoroughly check if there are any restrictions. We would have to highlight that such agreements are mutually signed and agreed between 2 consenting parties (i.e. the rink and the individual). As such, SSC has no legal authority over this matter.
SISA (Singapore Ice Skating Association) and SSC reportedly suggested bringing in more foreign coaches. Not surprisingly, the proposal was not “well-received” since the import of foreign trainers would have little impact on expanding training opportunities, and more likely than anything else, it would create more stress to the already strained job market and deprive our local coaches of their chances of a decent livelihood.
Hence, the matter was brought to MOM’s attention to seek their help in ensuring “any employment of migrant (skilled) workers should be to meet skills shortages and not competing with locals for jobs” and to deter any possibility of “EFMA contraventions that could curtail job opportunities from locals”, so that “Singaporeans remain at our core of workforce”.
Official response from MOM (Ministry of Manpower):
We have spoken to our colleagues from the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and understand that they have also been in touch with you to better understand your concerns as well as share highlights of their industry sensing with you. If you have additional feedback or suggestions, do surface these to the SISA and/or SSC.
No prizes for guessing who replied when we tried to seek help from other ministers and ministries. Yes, it’s SSC again.
Quality Service Manager @ SSC response:
…. We are also aware that your feedback has been emailed to various government offices as these have been redirected to the Singapore Sports Council (SSC). This is to inform you that SSC Management is looking into your feedback, and will respond to you within the following week. Should you have further feedback or information, please email us atSSC_QSM@ssc.gov.sg
Recently, the same employer reportedly attempted to “bully” one of its employees into upholding the “6 months” notice when he decided not to renew his contract and let it lapse at end April 2014. However, the employer refused to acknowledge his rights and continued to send him complex-worded messages such as:
We noticed your confirmation for not renewing the contract notwithstanding this and under the clause 17 of the contract we assume that you will uphold the 6 months…. etc
Clearly, the employer seems to think he has “unlimited power” over his employees. If only our relevant authorities had been more “empathetic and compassionate” towards the coaches; properly intervened and verified the employer’s prerogative to freeze lessons without the consent of the contract workers; and try to address the grievances of the adversely affected workers promptly, then the said employer wouldn’t have been so bold to try to “coerce” workers to stay on the job.
Is this an isolated case of “nonchalant” attitude towards our coaches? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is only the tip of the “indifference iceberg”. Any discussion of importing more foreign coaches in the wake of an “unemployment crisis” is not only insensitive but leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth and fuel public scepticism and distrust over our government’s efforts to “give people jobs and good incomes over time”.
Foreign coaches may be more sophisticated and “technically and practically” more superior than local coaches, but how about the intangible values of emotional bonding, and the ability to blend and relate to local athletes? There are also security, loyalty and national pride issues to reconcile. Even if local coaches lack the panacea to bring home medals from international tournaments, is it sufficient reason to abandon them? Shouldn’t the relevant authorities put in more effort in developing more effective and comprehensive training programs and opportunities to groom our indigenous coaches to become world class coaches to lead our national team? Unless our governing bodies put in a more concerted effort and determination to nurture aspiring local talents, from athletes to coaches, our Vision 2030 “to enable greater continuity and sustainability in sports participation” and Mr Lawrence Wong’s (Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth) vision of a “deep and sustainable sporting culture” could well be another policy rhetoric that will never be realised in reality.
Irene Choo