RAIN UNITED
FOOTBALL CLUB
[ Team Updates ]
We continued with our weekly training with new friends coming by to join us. Joseph had came from his Kulai JB home at 5am to join us for the 3rd consecutive week, while we had 2 other Chinese friends who had came from Novena.
We greeted Wei Da on his birthday and had Long & Wee Kiong named player of the month of May. Though we had endured some difficult moments from some "unruly attitudes" during this month, all was well again. Rain United members understood the situation they were put into but neverthless carried themselves well. Cheers to all of you guys.
With the 7-aside tournament coming by, the team final line-up will be name by the 2nd week of June. The final 16 players for the 11-aside tournament in July/August will also be name at a later date. As we will be require to play in the 2 tournaments at different time slots when the draws for the tournaments is made, we will need to climatise ourselves well though I have noticed that some players have generally improved on their fitness level.
Calvin and members have also suggested a change of new jersey which will be put into considerations. Wee Kiong did well with his leadership qualities as the captain covering his position and controling the players' role when we were practising our games. The new players have shown discipline and commitments in wanting to be part of the team. I am confident they will be part of Rain United if they continue to show consistencies. More players are expected to join us in the coming weeks.
We are 3 weeks away from the 7-aside tournament and 5 weeks away from the 11-aside. Guys, keep up the team spirit of Rain United. Everyone seems to be doing better and better.
[ CCK 7-Aside Football Tournament ]
Venue - Choa Chu Kang Field
When - 18th June 2006 / 0830 am onwards
As mentioned earlier, Rain United has been invited, courtesy of CCK Constituency to put up 2 teams for the forthcoming tournament to be held on 18th June 2006 (Sunday). This is an open category (above 18 years) involving a total of 16 teams vying for the championship trophy. The top 2 teams playing in the final will receive prizes including a trophy for the champions from the guests of honour.
The tentative team line-up in the respective group are as follows with changes to be made with or without prior notice. As this is a tournament that requires fitness and strength to last throughout, I would urge all players to continue with building up your fitness level to enjoy your football play. Rain United Team "A " players are to be dressed in your original team jersey while Team "B" will be in "white top & black shorts". Team captains are to ensure that all players are properly "geared" too.
As we are also conducting trials for new players, they may be drafted into the team, which will be announce at a later date if they are deem fit and earn their chances. Two other Rain United current players are on the stand-by if they are able to come by for our weekly training with home consensus. The actual final squad will be announced one week before the tournament.
Group A
Leonard / Max /Nigel / Zai / Kenny / Chee Khin / Jia He / Tim Loong / Calvin (Captain)
Group B
Long / Tony / Pako / Fahmi / Wei Da / Randy / Yan Shun / Sabastian / Wee Kiong (Captain)
[ When Your Intellectual Property Is At Stake]
Ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Rain United, managing attitude and communication skills has a significant importance to the well-being of Rain United. Interactions has to be protected on and off the field.
Scammers, malicious attackers, hackers, exploiters, etc has to be severely dealt with. Rain United recognises the importance of having the identity and authentication capabilities as part of its security management portfolio. Rain United is a team made up of cultured members wanting to play good clean football, not dirty tactics football politics. It is best to SACK any players if they stood so low, which we have cultivated as lessons learnt. It certainly has reflected on his intellectual abilities in wanting to cause the stir and planning to hide it. No compromised about it.
Guys, let's keep ourselves going in wanting to promote our team's good image. Let's get on with our football and lead it with one direction - the right way. I will not hesitate to report anyone who tries to harm the team's image and blog to the relevant authorities for further action if they try again. The coach says "Don't Do It" !!!!!!
[ Alvin Chua ]
Alvin came by and trained with us last Saturday. During the course of the fitness run, Alvin told me that it will probably be the last time he would joined us. He was due to depart for Canada on 25th May 2006 to catch an early flight. He asked me if he could continue training with us when he comes back. I teased Alvin that he should gave up his jersey number 11 to me and Alvin replied that he would not mind lending it to me but will not part with it. It sums up the sentimental value what the team and the teammates has brought to him. I could understand it. Somehow, Alvin also asked me if he can continue to join us when he is back on holiday. My replied was a readily yes.
Alvin's friendship towards the team and his friends has brought us joy, agony and laughter. The "Wong Fei Hung" of the team, though not one with the best of his football abilities and funny character will somehow be missed. A month ago when he told me that he was leaving, I suggested that we should get around to have a meal together. Alvin told me that he wasn't sure about it. He was afraid that not everyone will be in favour of him and I guessed he was afraid of disappointment. Good or bad, Alvin possesssed the team spirit and a strong character in wanting to blend with the team. Alvin requested if I may allow him to play in just one half of a football friendly match which I did. He had told me that he knew he was not good enough but to me, it was not all about football. I respected Alvin's intentions. He has trained without complaints, he treats the team with pride, he wanted to learn football. I treated him as part of us.
Over at the coffee shop, Alvin was seated with thoughts by himself. He was probably thinking he is going to miss the team. I spoke to him and I knew he was choking back his tears. I felt sorry for him. As a friend and the team coach, Alvin was a genuine player. I wish Alvin would continue to train with us whenever he is back and builds success in his studies. This is about parents who would shelter hopes for their children. As friends, we would encourage one another and not chide one's education level, whether high or low. It is very demeaning.
On behalf of Rain United, let us wish Alvin the very best. For those who can make it to Alvin's farewell gathering this coming Sunday, I would certainly encourage you to join in. I hope Alvin will have a memorable send off. Cheers!
[ RAIN UNITED VS CHOA CHU KANG SEC SCHOOL - REVISED ]
Please be informed that a friendly match will be held this Saturday 20th May 2006. The match will commence at 0830 am. The team line-up are as follows:-
Leonard (Goalkeeper)
Jia He (Right Back)
Max (Centre Right Back))
Tim Loong (Left Back)
Wei Da (Centre Left Back)
Tony (Right Wing)
Calvin (Centre Right Midfielder)
Long (Left Wing)
Yan Shun (Centre Left Midfielder)
Chee Khin (Striker)
Kenny (Striker)
Reserves :-
Wee Kiong (Goalkeeper)
Keng Yong (Striker)
Randy (Right Back)
Shaun (Right Wing)
Zai (Centre Right Back)
Fahmi (Right Wing)
Raymond (Left Back)
Jason (Centre Left Midfielder)
Any team players found not properly attired will not be eligible to play. Team players / positions are subjected to changes with or without prior notice.
[ New Trialists ]
Over the last couple of weeks, you may have noticed that Rain United has attracted newcomers to join the team for the weekly training session. These are signs of new things to come.
While Tony, Max, Calvin & those who have been involved are putting extra effort in working on their fitness level as well as keeping the team together, I am planning new potentials to join Rain United. I am looking at the potentials to show consistencies in their approach to discipline, attitude, fitness and the eagerness to play proper football to blend into the team. Having said that, some of the current players may expect disappointment.
I have not been convinced with some of the players lacked of maintenance in their inability to notify their absence from training, inability to participate in basic fitness training as a team, putting up unacceptable excuses, showing lack of respect to team mates through communications, not wanting to take on their roles seriously - These are signs of attitude problem. No player is bigger than the team. The team will move on. Nonsense will not be tolerated in Rain United. I am mitigating the risks.
Rain United is an enthusiastic team that shows football is made up of good and clean football encompassed with a high level of expectations and organisational skills through cultivating discipline, attitude, to exercising between books and sports to interact with the public - ON and OFF the field. Everyone deserves chances.
Two tournaments are drawing nearer, sparring matches are arranged, bigger events are coming by. Team members interact with each other, blending healthily to come together. We have come so far in incoporating Rain United and standards have to be met and maintain. Members with the "wannabes" attitude can either choose to shape up or ship out. No compromise about it. Do not go through the embarrasment of facing the "clear out". Do not antagonize the team.
[ Safety Compliance ]
I would like to serve reminders to all Rain United members with the following:-
Equipments : Please continue to cultivate the good habits in putting on proper soccer gears during training sessions, friendlies or tournaments. Do not put on any jewelleries. Kindly keep the soccer pitch clean and maintain that all soccer balls are in order before and after training. Please ensure all the soccer balls are pumped up each week before training begins. Any player found not complying to basic regulations will not be allow to play.
Soccer Friendlies : Rain United team players are encouraged to continue discussing organising of any friendly matches as/with the team with final approval coming from the coach / captain / committees. Though we may be encouraging members from the public to screen our blog, please be aware of "fakes" or "attitude and discarded ex-Rain United wannabes" to try and fix up matches with you. They may be "so-called" millionaires, multi-nationalities or self claimed club players, please be informed that I will not entertained them. If there is an issue, please do not hesitate to contact me. I promise I will take care of the situation personally to keep up the good image of the team.
[ Friendly Match 6th May 2006 ]
A surprised friendly match was arranged between boys from SJI against Rain United. I wanted to focus on the players' fitness and tactical progress to seek clarity on the forthcoming tournament and the selection of the team that we were be putting up for the 7 aside and the Rain United Challenge Trophy. The punctuality of the players were also a focused.
Rain United started the game sluggishly. It shows in our ability to stay composed when playing opposite opponents. It took the team to settle about 10 minutes later when the first goal came. However, the team has improved on their passing abilities, spread play and better co-ordination works compared to the previous matches. Fitness is still something we have to work on. The half-time score was 2-0. It was not a flattering scoreline.
The second team put up a better displayed in the second half. I was encouraged when Chee Khin threw a challenged that the second team will score even more than the first half. I have expected better result as the boys from SJI were worned out in the first half, which is normally the case.
It was also a good oppotunity for me to put our midfielders and strikers to test. I also wanted our defenders to be tested. I deployed a 3 defenders role operating with 5 midfielders to push the game level higher. I had a chance to see our 2 goalkeepers as well. Apart from Randy and Raymond, who lacks fitness and speed (please note), the rest of the players somehow put up a decent performance. My "marked" man Keng Yong was closed to be substituted during the first half but when he realised it, I decided to change my mind. Keng Yong had a decent game eventually. Max was poor in his throw ins. There is still room for improvement from the team.
The final score was 10-0. I had expected it. We are training only once a week. Time will tell if we are good enough when we play stronger opponents the next time. Guys, I hope you can work on your fitness and speed level. Keep up the team spirit!
[ Fun Football ]
We conducted our training session with "fun football" on this day.
We started our session with light warm-ups follow with team briefing on our weekly progress. The team warmly welcomed Adam as our guest player. Adam, a young player, with years of his own tremendous effort, has develop himself as an ardent football player. I have seen him played and trained on many occasions. He is a good example, whom has gone through years of positive attitude and tough training sessions over the years to develop his football progress. His perseverence and the continuity in wanting to progress further through maintaining himself well will make him an even better player in years to come. The team thoroughly enjoy Adam's company. Any more session with us, Adam?
Jia He and Raymond were nominated as April's "player of the month". Both Jia He and Raymond though starters, had put in great effort in polishing their fitness level with positive attitude and at the same time learn the basic fundamentals of football. This is all about Rain United, what we hope to achieve as "a part" and not "apart" in integrating this team, whether you are learners or amatuers.
A panel of committees were also formed. The objectives, with individual players volunteering their part, hopes to take Rain United one step ahead to keep the team going. It was a blessing to have the team committees, apart from their school routine, had volunteered to drive the team's cultivation in maintaining standards to keep healthy football flowing. Let's keep the "fire burning".
During our fun football play, individual's were given tasks on their playing roles and were corrected on mistakes they have to work on. We still kept our own punishments for illegal throw-ins, broadening the team focus when playing with 2 players less, directions of countering play against 11 oppositions, etc. It helps to enhance fitness level and at the same time keeps the team to stay composed.
The "Reds" though with a player less, were leading 1-0 at half-time, courtesy of a "soft" goal. The 2nd half saw the "Reds" further reduced to 9 men. However, the final score ended 3-4 in favour of the "Reds". Another example of "Impossible is Nothing" guys. Keep it Up !!!!!
There was spirited play from Wee Kiong on this day. The answers were reviewed. After the game, we headed to our usual coffee shop for refreshments. There were 3 escorts. Wee Kiong had invited his "GF" along. Call them "Buayas", it was good clean fun and nice gesture of Wee Kiong to invite his "personal guest" to join us. Cheers, Wee Kiong, you are a good guy and deserved it. Very sporting! Who's next?