U Games 2016/2017 Roundup

By Shukry Rashid

Congratulations to The Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union for being crowned Top Union for the sixth year running at U Games 2016/2017! Other unions were not left too far behind, with United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries and Healthcare Services Employees’ Union going in for a close fight for second and third places respectively.

6 Things to Know about U Games 2016/2017

1. Into its ninth year, the U Games 2016/2017 season saw a total of 13 sports being played by 45 unions, with some 7,700 members participating in the games.
2. New corporate categories were also introduced to bring union and associate members closer together through sports.
3. Futsal 5-A-Side saw 23 corporate teams participating.
4. U Golf 27 Holes Championship saw close to 100 golfers from 16 different organisations teeing off.
5. Badminton saw 124 teams from 23 unions participating.
6. 112 players forming 16 teams took part in the Mixed Netball event.

Rallying Members

Singapore Teachers’ Union (STU) sent teams to 12 of the 13 games in the U Games 2016/2017, eventually reaching fourth overall placing among the unions. This is a big jump from their 10th place in the previous 2015/2016 season. We talk to STU member Jean Chia, 34, whose efforts went some way to make it all possible.

Caption: Jean (middle, in light blue) with her fellow teammates.

Caption: Jean receiving a trophy for coming in first in the recent U Games.

• To rally more members to participate, Jean started writing in STU’s newsletter three years ago about her experience in U Sports’ competitions.
• A Physical Education teacher for Jurong West Primary School, Jean participated in six of the 12 games that STU participated in.
• Jean was also U Sports’ Sportswoman of the year in the previous two seasons. Her personal motto is ‘To live and inspire’, and came in first for the recent U Run.
• Jean said: “Members can find out that sports is a healthy lifestyle, to ensure that they live happily and healthily. I believe in spreading this message of enjoying sports and making more friends.”
• STU participated in 12 games, sending in two teams for a few of the games. In previous years, they only participated in two to three games with only one team per game.
• STU achieved podium finishes for netball, basketball and soccer.

Source: NTUC This Week