The Wildcards Blog

Team Matters

Hi all. We've been very busy hosting the Kentucky workshop so I thought I would address some team matters here first.

1) Focus:

Don't lose sight of the target you have set for yourself before the workshop. We have different people with different levels in the team so set realistic targets. That being said, if you don't have good fundamentals to start off with, don't expect a miracle. If you can't even do a straight basket toss, you can forget about learning elements.

2) Insufficient bases:

As a common problem in all teams, there will always be insufficient bases. Use whatever opportunity you have when stunting and make your effort count. If you would like to stunt with our Taiwanese/American cheerleaders, let me know and I can request for you accordingly. Then again, our foreign counterparts are more experienced then most of us and are likely to compensate for your stunting mistakes. Being able to hit a stunt with them doesn't make you good. Don't think highly of yourself. Ask them if there is anyway you can improve. At the end of the day, if you cannot hit the stunt with your own team mates, you are back to square one.

Note: I know of some flyers who never got to try a basket toss their entire cheerleading career. And some bases who did nothing but shoulder stands. You all should be thankful that Wildcards allow you to explore every element in cheerleading.

3) Attitude of training during the workshop:

The professionals will probably be here in SG only once. Every minute in the workshop counts. Put your mind in overcoming that muscle ache or fatigue you may have and learn as much as you can. If your stunt fails or you get kicked in the face, pull yourself up and try again. Remember, you are not a sad story.

4) Taking things for granted:

This workshop did not come out of the blue. And while most of you were not involved in the planning before the workshop, you can always help us with the hosting during the workshop. To date, only the 3 coaches + gary has been constantly with them. And we paid a fair deal from our own pockets as well ( not everything is reimbursable). Gary and I are both working but we bothered to make ourselves available. Vincent is busy with school but he makes it a point to be present every night after the workshop. ZL is currently waiting for NS but that doesn't mean he is expected to do everything because he is ''free''.

You guys don't have to be with them 24/7 , but it will be very much appreciated if you could at least volunteer to take shifts. You have your own life, we have our own lives as well.

(a) Ppl who have taken shifts to date: Simin, Jaslyn, Huiting, Huishan, vincent, chaang, ZL, big gary.

(b) Ppl who have assisted in the workshop logistics: Ochi

(c) PPl who have not done (a) & (b) : Isaac, Joline, candy, weihao, kahau, jasmine, geradine, justine, harry, ken, small gary, wilson.

We will have a talk to ppl in (c) tonight to see how you can help.

5) Reality check:

Cheerleading in Singapore is very simple: either you progress, or you disappear. We can only keep on improving. The moment we stop, we will cease to exist.

CR's note: I dunno about the rest of you, but the moment Kentucky Head Coach Jomo Thompson led the kentucky cheer-off was like a dream come true for me. And how many ppl will have this kind of opportunity in their lifetime.

'' Alright Cats, say it loud, say it proud. Cats on 3, 1-2-3 CATS! ''