Your child doesn’t need to be the MVP of ball sports, athletics or swimming. And don’t worry even if he or she is forever stuck on playing hand-eye coordination games – digital ones that is. There’s a fun, alternative option: racket sports.
Racket sports can be casual and exciting yet easy enough for your petite player to pick up. For the win: You, the family and your kiddo’s friends can join in these game-based recreational activities and get a workout as well!
Take a read through this brief list about the top 3 popular ones in Singapore and where your budding athlete can pick up the skills to go from a “Wreck-It Ralph” gamer to a “Rack-et Ralph” winner.
Badminton
It’s easy to see why this racket sport from the late 1800s is so popular in Singapore (yes, it has been a hot sport for centuries). Badminton’s easy to pick up; the equipment is super affordable and easy to find. Anyone of almost any age, even a 5-year-old, and of any fitness level can engage in the sport. Plus, all your kid needs is an open space – indoors or outdoors – in order to carry out a leisurely game.
A testament to its popularity? Numerous outdoor badminton courts can be found in many HDB housing estates, while indoor ones, such as those found in the SAFRA clubhouses (Mount Faber, Tampines and Toa Payoh), see busy action on the floor, for both weekdays and weekends.
As mentioned, if your energiser bunny can’t get to run about a formal badminton court, it’s okay; a park, the beach, or even an estate amphitheatre, can do as a makeshift playing area.
What you do need are rackets and shuttlecocks (a net’s optional). And, of course, players; 2 individuals can pit skills against one another in a game of singles or 2 teams of 2 can compete in a game of doubles. It’s your “Yay-game” for the family and your child’s friends to participate in together!
The best bit? The younglings don’t actually need talent or technique to play – just some basic hand-eye coordination and motor skills. But, if your growing sportsperson wants to know all the ins and outs of badminton or is aspiring to be the next Loh Kean Yew, then you might want to enroll him or her into a training programme. Try the one at SAFRA Mount Faber. Organised by SAFRA Mount Faber and Off The Zone (formerly known as M Badminton Academy), the “Badminton for Juniors” lessons are perfect for kiddos from 7 to 16 years of age. Held on Saturday afternoons, the sessions are led by a team of award-winning coaches and professional shuttlers, which means your own little rookie will get to learn the proper skills to smash like a pro in no time.
SAFRA members get special rates for badminton courts at SAFRA Tampines and Toa Payoh, along with exclusive access at SAFRA Mount Faber. More info at safra.sg/whats-on/junior-badminton and safra.sg/amenities-offerings/indoor-badminton-court.
SAFRA Tampines, 1/A Tampines Street 92, Singapore 528882
SAFRA Toa Payoh, 293 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319387
SAFRA Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way, Singapore 098803
Tennis
Fun fact 1: The origins of this game can be traced all the way back to a 12th century handball game played in the monastic cloisters of Northern France, called jeu de paume or “game of the palm”, where a ball was struck with the palm (the hand, not the plant).
Fun fact 2: Rackets only came into, well, play, in the 16th century, when it became officially known as “tennis”.
Fast forward to today and tennis is now a major spectator sport (does Wimbledon ring a bell?), broadcasted to millions, with the top players, being uber rich and famous sports celebrities such as Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka. But, don’t just let your spud grow into a couch potato just watching fuzzy, fluorescent balls bounce across the court, across the screen. Get him or her active at lobbing some in real life.
If you know how to play, great; you can teach your future Grand Slam winner how to serve and receive at the outdoor tennis courts at SAFRA Tampines and SAFRA Jurong.
If not, you can always sign them up for the Beginner or Intermediate lessons held on Wednesday late afternoons at SAFRA Jurong. Taught by Coach Selan, a Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Certified coach. So you know for sure he has the right credentials and skills.
The sessions are suitable for 6- to 17-year-olds. Oh, and he also teaches classes for adults if you want to figure out how to spin, volley and gain the advantage when you rally with your mini-me.
Find out more about the Beginner and Intermediate tennis lessons for both kids and adults at safra.sg/whats-on/tennis.
SAFRA members get special rates for tennis courts at SAFRA Tampines and Jurong.
SAFRA Tampines, 1/A Tampines Street 92, Singapore 528882
SAFRA Jurong, 333 Boon Lay Way, Singapore 649848
Squash
Luckily for us, the game of squash developed beyond the walls of London prisons and schools in the 19th century to become a popular indoor racket sport. Otherwise, we would have missed out on the high-octane excitement that this sport gives.
How exciting is this? Well, it is played with tear-drop stringed rackets and a hollow rubber ball in an enclosed rectangular court, with 2 or 4 players (for singles and doubles games, respectively) hitting the ball against the walls. There are lines drawn on the floor to demarcate service boxes, and also across the front and side walls to indicate areas that are in or out of bounds. The back wall is usually made of transparent glass so that people can watch a match from the viewing gallery. All these make squash a fast-paced and thrilling sport, for both the spectator and the player.
Striking rubber balls in a smallish boxed-up space, and getting all competitive and in close proximity to an opponent may be intense, but your tween or teen can get to build up their physical stamina, agility and reaction abilities, as well as their mental fortitude. Once your tough sport gets to know the rules and into the game, it can make for an addictive activity to expend all of that youthful energy, at the indoor squash courts at SAFRA Tampines or SAFRA Toa Payoh.
SAFRA members get special rates for squash courts at SAFRA Tampines and Toa Payoh. More info at safra.sg/amenities-offerings/indoor-squash-courts
SAFRA Tampines, 1/A Tampines Street 92, Singapore 528882
SAFRA Toa Payoh, 293 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319387
For even more deals and discounts, don’t forget to activate your complimentary 1-year SAFRA membership for members-only deals!
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