WATER POLO ACADEMY
About Pacer
At Pacer Water Polo Academy, we aim to teach sound Water Polo fundamentals to serve as a stepping stone to the next level & to raise the bar of the sport in Singapore & the region. We pride ourselves in championing the inculcation of the right values each athlete should embody including teamwork, perseverance & most importantly sportsmanship. Under the tutelage of experienced coaches including current and ex national Water Polo players, we ensure the development of all-rounded student-athletes, who not only embody the true values of competition but is equipped with physical & mental skill sets that will carry them far in life. Pacer spearheads awareness of the sport which benefits all clubs in Singapore.
Vision
To be the Water Polo Hub in Asia by continually raising the bar in the region.
Mission
To enrich the lives of our Water Polo players by imparting values that they can take forth into the world.
Values
Perseverance
Never give up.
Accountability
Not giving excuses, blaming others, whining & complaining. Instead, take ownership of something & making sure you ‘know & do your job’ 100% of the time.
Commitment
Giving a 110% in every training & game.
Excellence
Is not a single moment or competition: it's a habit, a daily commitment to being the best.
Respect
Towards referees, opponents, spectators, coaches, teammates & yourself.
Pacer's History
Pacer's History
2012
Pacer was founded with 6 players on the 4th of March for more info, check out our Stories page.
2013
Pacer was the Venue Manager for the 3rd Asian Water Polo Cup & the youth version of that. China, India, Iran, Kuwait, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Kazakhstan & Philippines took part in the nail biting competition.
2014
Pacer brought the Junior Inter Club Series that was usually a local event to the region & as such, 4 age groups from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia showed up for 5 days of non stop competition.
2015
Pacer was the Venue Manager for the South East Asian Games (SEA Games) & training had to be suspended as our coaches were players in the National Team.
Pacer also started the Titanen League to promote Water Polo to the neighbourhoods by holding competitions in Toa Payoh, Katong, Yio Chu Kang & Jurong West.
2017
Pacer went overseas for competitions & trainings
Malaysia - Negri Sembilan
Indonesia - Jakarta
Thailand - Bangkok
2016
Pacer went to Hong Kong, loaned 2 players to Perak for a competition, introduced a structured syllabus for trainings, assisted in 18 ASEAN University Game & started supporting the Junior Sports Academy.
2018
Pacer U15 Invitation saw 6 teams from 5 countries compete over 3 days. (Singapore, Malaysia, Serbia, Hungary & The United Kingdom)
Ah Mah Flippa Ball was featured on the home section of The Straits Times
TYR Sponsored $54,000 worth of Water Polo course fees
FOUNDERS
Ting Kum Luen
Born on the 12th of November 1969, Mr Ting happen to stumble upon the sport when his oldest son took it up as a CCA in secondary school. He saw how Water Polo transformed his son and believed that the national sports associations (NSA) could trigger this effect for other children on a much larger scale. However due to the size of NSA, it was very difficult to make changes in the Water Polo scene quickly. After talking to co-founder Sai Meng and vice president, Ivan of Singapore Water Polo at the time, Mr. Ting decided to start his own club, he was already in his 40’s where a change in job was risky as he had to care for his family and 3 children. As he was not a Water Polo player, Mr Ting asked co-founder Lee Sai Meng to coach for their club and Pacer started on the 4th of March 2012.
Lee Sai Meng
Born on the 6th of July 1977, Sai Meng was the head coach for the Singapore National Youth Team, National Women's Team, National Men's Team & the head coach for Pacer in its formative years till 2017 where he drew up the syllabus for the player's & coaches training. As a coach he also brought teams to the Commonwealth Championship, Batawi Cup, Asian Championship, Sea Games, Asian Games, Sea Championship, Princess Chulabourne Cup & the Asian Swimming Championship. Sai Meng has a Specialist Diploma in Sports & Exercise Science, NROC certificates for Water Polo & Swimming, Advanced Water Polo Coaches Clinic by the Federation Internationale de Natation, NCAP level 1 & 2.
A Few Words From Sai Meng
I have felt great passion for the sport of Water Polo since the beginning & feel that if this sport were to be enjoyed by the masses, raising the next generation of Water Polo players would be the first step.
Water Polo Achievements
Sea Games - 1995, 97, 99, 01, 03, 05
Asian Games - 1994, 98, 02
Asian Championship - 1995, 04
Commonwealth Games - 2002, 06
OUR COACHES
Past & Present
Pacer's young coaches makes them more relatable to your kids, as such they should feel more comfortable when confiding problems they may face in trainings to our coaches. Players can look to our coaches as mentors when it comes to Water Polo, school work or life in general.
Igor Josimovic
Pacer Water Polo Academy & Hwa Chong Institution Head Coach
Born on the 17th of April 1988, Igor is a Bachelor’s Degree holder where he graduated from Belgrade’s University, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (Water Polo Department). The title of his Thesis is: Teaching Method of Training in Specific Elements of Movement Techniques in Water Polo without a ball. Igor coached in Mladost Pancevo, Dinamo Pancevo, Partizan Reiffeisen Belgrade and Zoran Milenkovic before coming to Singapore where he currently coaches the U15 Singapore National Youth Team, Hwa Chong Institution A, B, C boys, A girls and is Pacer's Head Coach.
A Few Words From Igor
I enjoy seeing how our kids are growing up through this sport, developing their character, teaching them sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline and other values such as: Perseverance - never give up, Accountability - not giving excuses, not blaming others, whinging and complaining. But instead, taking ownership of something and making sure you ‘know and do your job’ 100% of the time, Commitment - giving a 110% in every training and game. Excellence - is not a single moment or competition: it's a habit, a daily commitment to being the best, Respect - towards referees, opponents, spectators, coaches, teammates and yourself.
Water Polo Achievements
Serbian 2nd division National Championship - 6th
Belgrade International Games Varsities competition - 2 Gold Medals
Serbian 3rd division National Championship - 3 Gold & 2 Bronze Medals
International Water Polo Competition Sanxenxo, Spain - 1 Gold & 1 Silver Medal
Choo Chin Cheng
Coach - Flippa Ball
Born on the 20th of January 1958, Uncle Cheng went to Toh Tuck Secondary when he was young and super fit. He was once a Singapore Swimming Association Head Coach for the National Women's Team, National Youth Team (U11, U14, U15, U17) and ACS Barker. He started Water Polo in 1973 at Queenstown Water Polo Club without knowing how to swim at all. 4 years later, he played his 1st SEA Games and in 1986 clinched a Bronze medal in the Asian Games. Uncle Cheng got married at 23 and when he was playing in the SEA Games, his wife gave birth to one of his child (LOL)
A Few Words From Uncle Cheng
I squat down to pee & had passion for Water Polo ever since I started.
Water Polo Achievements
Sea Games Gold in 1977, 1979, 1981 & 1985
Asian Games 4th in 1982, 3rd in 1986
Lee Kai Yang
Coach - Goalkeeper Specialist
Born on the 19th of November 1994, Kai Yang went to Ang Mo Kio Primary School followed by Raffles Institution before becoming a Singapore Armed Forces Officer. Today, he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Accountancy at the Singapore Management University. Kai Yang is also a founding partner of KYLT Enterprise LLP. He picked up Water Polo in secondary school and slowly grew to be addicted to the sport, finding himself attending more trainings with each year. He slowly progressed into the youth team and then the national team where he earned his spot on the senior team in 2014.
A Few Words From Kai Yang
Throughout my years growing up, Water Polo has acted as a vessel to teach me many valuable lessons that can be applied both in the sport and in life. These lessons and values imbued in me has allowed me to achieve numerous accolades and I am always reminded of how fortunate I am to have had fallen in love with Water Polo. I hope to impart the same lessons and values I have learnt through the sport to my little budding athletes as they learn to fall and get back up. I am extremely strict with my students but I am never unreasonable. I aim to work closely with both student and parent as we look to shape the child to a filial member of our community.
Water Polo Achievements
2008
National Inter School - 4th
2009
Betawi Cup - 3rd
National Inter School - 3rd
2010
Betawi Cup - 3rd
Tom Hoad Cup - 4th
National Inter School - 3rd
2011
ASEAN School Games - 1st
National Inter School - 2nd
World Developmental Trophy - 6th
2012
National Inter School - 1st
2014
Asian Games - 5th
Commonwealth Championship - 7th
2015
SEA Games - 1st
2016
Asian Championship - 5th
ASEAN University Games - 1st
2017
SEA Games - 1st
World Developmental Trophy - 6th
Other Achievements
2012 Raffles Diploma (Distinction)
91/13 OCC Sword of Merit Recipient
2015/16/17 SMU Outstanding Achievement in Student Life Award
2016/17 SMU SOA Excellence Award
2016 Deloitte Inspire Award
Deloitte Student Ambassador
SMU Ambassadorial Corp
Portfolio Head
Chow Jing Lun
Coach
Born on the 6th of September 1994, Jing Lun (Ronnie) went to Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Anglo-Chinese Junior College and Nanyang Technological University. He was introduced to the sport by his brother and were both coached by the same coach, Mr Lau Kum Weng. Ronnie started off as as a Direct School Admission Swimmer at 13 years old and felt that Water Polo was more interesting and made the jump. Ronnie is also a proud Army Half Marathon Finisher.
A Few Words From Ronnie
It brings me joy to be able to witness a competitive spirit in youths. I hope to not only impart Water Polo knowledge but also elite athlete characteristics and values such as perseverance, discipline and creativity. Seeing the younger generation of Water Polo players grow and earn their spot in the national team keeps me motivated to coach potential youths who continue to improve as they will be the ones who will improve the Water Polo culture and community in Singapore.
Water Polo Achievements
2017 KL Sea Games
ACSI C & B Division Champions
ACJC A Division 2nd Runner Up
Darren Lee Jit-An
Coach
Born on the 16th of September 1998, Darren went to Townsville Primary School followed by St. Andrews Secondary School and is now a student at Republic Polytechnic. He started playing Water Polo at St. Andrews as a goal keeper because he couldn't swim before he joined and trained in the National Team when he was just 16 years old till today. Darren also eats a lot but is unable to gain weight.
A Few Words From Darren
As the Singapore's National Men's Team has a new coach in hopes to help us break the Asian games barrier, there has been a lot more learning during trainings which I am being equipped with. However, I believe that if it is not passed down to the next generation of Water Polo players, there will be no progress. Thinking of when our kids make it into the National team after the current national players retire, the national team head coach do not need to re-teach everything and can work on bigger and more complex things as their basics are already there. This is how I believe Water Polo in Singapore can grow to the next level.
Water Polo Achievements
SEA Games in Malaysia
SEA Champs in Singapore
AASF in Singapore & Seruni
National Inter Schools throughout Secondary School
Samuel Pang
Coach
Born on the 12th of June 1968, Sam has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has been a Swim Coach for the past 8 years. He was a recreational swimmer till National Service where he volunteered and was trained for competitive swimming. Today, he has a wonderful wife who has given him 4 kids; in the order of boy, girl, boy, girl. His youngest son was in his school Rugby team where him and his wife was searching for training to help him improve mentally and physically. Water Polo was a CCA offered in his son's school and their family's Water Polo journey began in Pacer Water Polo Academy.
A Few Words From Sam
What motivates me to be a coach is to ensure that the kids under my charge are exposed to good training and practice techniques for swimming. So that they learn a life skill and utilise the acquired ability to assist them to further their performance in swimming and the competitive sport of Water Polo. In hopes that they can rise up to the challenge and represent Singapore.
Achievements
NROC Swimming Instructor Level 1
Waterpolo Coach & Referee Level 1
Completed the defunct SAFRA biathlon once
Inter Unit Swimming Competition - 3rd - 50m & 100m freestyle
Pacer's Culture
Pacer believes that it is extremely important to recognise the hard work of our players. Every month, players who display an outstanding performance in competitions or in their attitude during trainings will be hand picked by their coaches to receive the player of the month award. With this award, Pacer hopes to cultivate a spirit of perseverance & all the great values that Pacer stands for, in them.
Player of the Month
On the first Sunday of each month, Pacer holds a potluck celebration for players who’s birthday falls in that month. Similar to how families celebrate one another’s birthdays, we at Pacer, being one big family want to celebrate the day that one of our own was born.
Birthday Celebrations
The Pacer Awards Night is an annual celebration where all players, coaches & parents get to meet, eat & celebrate together. Players who have received the player of the month award will once again be congratulated for their hard work for the year, while all players will be reminded of what the coaches look out for when awarding the players so that they can strive for the award the next year. The players will also vote for the player of the year from one of the twelve player of the month recipients. Parents & coaches will also be recognised for their contributions to the club for Pacer would not be what it is today without these very important individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Annual Awards Night
On the 7th day of Chinese New Year, the Pacer family gathers to Lou Hei (prosperity toss) together. The prosperity toss is a Cantonese-style raw fish salad which usually consists of strips of raw fish, mixed with shredded vegetables & a variety of sauces & condiments, among other ingredients. Regardless of race, language or religion, the Pacer family enjoys the Lou Hei & eats together.
Lo Hei
During special festivities & religious celebrations such as Halloween, Deepavali, Christmas & Easter, Pacer organises themed games & customised training sets for all players to inject some fun into the training sets & post training gatherings.
Others
Our Community
Parent Support Group
The Pacer culture would not be complete without our parents. Parents not only provide a great amount of moral support for players at the pool, but also support them through many different means. For their child, our parents sacrifice their precious time during weekdays after work and even during the weekends to send their children to the pool to train.
Our Parents Support Group (PSG) goes one step further by caring for other children behind the scenes. Our PSG organises birthday parties for their children on the first week of the month, help to provide refreshments during competitions for all the children between games to ensure they are well nourished, and even help to run Pacer’s Annual Awards Night.