BY DAWN TAY

BREAKING into the varsity sporting scene in Britain is tough for Singapore students.

Not only do they have to battle the frigid weather, but they also have to fight for places against bigger and more experienced British athletes.

So casual competitions, like the inaugural Warwick Summer Games held last Saturday at Hwa Chong Institution, allow Singaporean students studying overseas a chance to play their favourite sports on a level playing field.

Around 150 of them, back for the summer holidays from 10 British universities, took part in sports such as soccer, floorball, ultimate frisbee and netball.

Said event organiser Louisa Lim, a 20-year-old student from Warwick University: 'These Games are played for fun, so that more people can take part. By contrast, you'd need to be a national player or a former school representative to play at varsity level in Britain.'

Former softball player Jonathan Foo, a 22-year-old law student at King's College, agreed. He said: 'It's difficult to break into varsity sports teams, especially in sports such as soccer and tennis.

'In terms of physique, skills and experience, Caucasian athletes have an advantage over Asians.'

Law student Ng Shiyang, 22, pointed out that some Asian athletes have made it into their varsity teams, but agreed that their smaller build puts them at a disadvantage.

There are exceptions, the students said, such as in traditionally Asian-dominated sports like table tennis, or in teams set up by Singaporeans for activities such as floorball.

Still, 'the Warwick Games provide a more even playing ground for us - Singaporeans versus Singaporeans', said Mr Ng, who is an undergraduate at Birmingham University.

Unlike similar all-Singaporean affairs like the London Games and Nottingham Games, where participants travel several hours to the venue, theWarwick Summer Games were held in Singapore so that more people could take part.

The bonus?

'The Games are a great way to meet up with old friends and other Singaporeans,' said Miss Lim.

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