SEA Games 2015 Blog

Kimberly’s Story
Kimberly Lim
Research Assistant, Clients & Markets and Team Singapore netball player

The feeling as I stepped into the SEA Games arena was certainly different and special. I was a little nervous going into the netball finals against the very strong Malaysian team but my teammates gave me the confidence and spurred me to step up and play a good game!

In the last few seconds of the match, I found myself watching the clock count down to zero, and when the final buzzer sounded, an indescribable feeling enveloped me. With the rambunctious cheering from the crowd in the background, I went around hugging my team mates, holding my head in disbelief and shouting, “We did it! We won the gold medal!”

Playing for Singapore is a humbling experience, and I am honoured and thankful for every opportunity to take the court wearing our national colours. I also learnt a lot from every match I played as part of the Team Singapore netball squad because our opponents put up such a good fight.

It is not often that netball gets to be part of a multi-sports competition such as the SEA Games. In fact, this year is only the second time netball has been in the Games after 14 years. The selection process to be part of the SEA Games team included the usual trials and a training trip to Fiji, and I was ecstatic when I found out I made the team!

I believe that competing on home ground is a privilege. And, as fate would have it, my first three international meets – the Asian Championships, Nations Cup and the 28th SEA Games – have all been on home ground.

The support from fellow Singaporeans is amazing, but more personally, it allows my mum, an ardent supporter of netball (and her daughter of course!) an opportunity to cheer for the country, and for me. Having her in the spectator stands provides me with the extra push regardless of what happens on court and the outcome of the match.

During the SEA Games, apart from my family, friends and colleagues, there were also athletes from other sports in the stands supporting us, which made it even more significant because you can feel the strong sense of unity with each and every one of us striving to do Singapore proud.

My netball journey began several years ago. I knew of netball because I would often watch my sister, who played netball, at her school competitions. My interest started from then and I picked up the sport with the dream of representing the country someday. I worked hard and went through a strict regiment set for me by my coaches at the Singapore Sports School, in the hopes of turning my dream into reality.

The going did get tough at times and there were occasions where I was at the brink of giving up, with thoughts that I would never be good enough to make the national team. I even started to make plans to try out for the rugby and handball teams! But, if there is one thing all that training has taught me, it would be perseverance. That, along with the encouragement from the people around me, gave me the courage to keep trying. I am glad I did.

The most treasured part of my netball journey is the bonds I have formed with my teammates and how we work together towards a common goal. Playing netball has instilled in me many values and have kept me on the right track. It has also opened doors for me, in terms of my studies and work.

I hope to play professional netball for as long as I can, knowing that I have the full support from my country, family, friends and colleagues.

Kimberly