SEA Games: Fans feel the buzz
PUBLISHED ONJune 02, 2015 7:15 PMByNicole Chia
If the estimated 2,200 paying audience at yesterday's South-east Asia (SEA) Games netball match is anything to go by, Team Singapore's athletes can look forward to roaring cheers in their quest for success.
The Republic's mostly red-clad supporters kept up a steady stream of encouragement as they cheered their netball team on to a resounding 72-21 win over Brunei.
Joey Chew was among the crowd at the OCBC Arena with 28 of her teammates from Nan Hua High School.
Describing the atmosphere as "amazing", the 15-year-old school netball player said: "All the supporters were cheering and there was so much energy and excitement.
"If I were one of the players, I would definitely be even more motivated to win."
The Nan Hua netballers were among several school teams who watched the match.
Teacher-in-charge Karolyn Gan said: "It's a good way of giving the girls more exposure to netball, and for them to learn the importance of teamwork, communication and resilience."
For expatriates Stephen and Regina Fowler and their 10-year-old daughter Faye, yesterday's match was a good way to spend the long weekend.
Stephen, the general manager at Shell Jurong Island, said: "We wanted to watch football and fencing, but we didn't manage to get tickets.
"So we came for netball since Faye plays netball at school, and this is her first time seeing a live, professional match."
Wife Regina, a part-time book-keeper, added: "Synchronised swimming is interesting too, but the competition will be held during the weekdays when Faye has school, so it'll be harder for us to go."
Teacher Gan, 25, will also be rooting for the national swimmers.
"I'd be interested to watch swimming because I used to be a swimmer," she said. "I hope to see the swimmers break their own records."
cnicole@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on June 1, 2015.
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