Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

SpexCareer scheme also open to non-carded athletes

SINGAPORE — National athletes could soon have more employment opportunities after seven companies, including CapitaLand, Fuji Xerox Singapore and Volkswagen Group Singapore, joined the Sports Excellence Career Scheme (spexCareer).

Minister Lawrence Wong with Team Singapore athletes. Photo: Sport Singapore

Minister Lawrence Wong with Team Singapore athletes. Photo: Sport Singapore

SINGAPORE — National athletes could soon have more employment opportunities after seven companies, including CapitaLand, Fuji Xerox Singapore and Volkswagen Group Singapore, joined the Sports Excellence Career Scheme (spexCareer).

The announcement, which was made by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong at the Lexus Boutique yesterday, brings the total number of firms in the scheme to 20 from 16 industries. The scheme aims to increase that number to 25 by March next year.

A total of 38 carded national athletes — athletes eligible to receive national funding and other forms of support — are also now on the scheme and employed in various capacities from internships to part-time and full-time employment.

Launched in November last year and run by Sport Singapore (Sport SG) through the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI), the spexCareer scheme is part of the Sports Excellence Business Network, or spexBusiness, which aims to help athletes to prepare for life outside of sports once their competitive athletic careers are over.

Sport SG deputy director Peggy Tng (athlete services and development) said non-carded athletes will not be turned away if they wish to be part of the scheme.

“We will not shut off the non-carded athletes too. If you are about to retire from sports, there is no way we will leave you in the lurch,” said Tng.

But Sport SG chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin added: “What members of the business network guarantees is an interview, but not employment. So the onus is on the athlete to maximise the opportunity to secure that job.”

The news could come as a boost for players and staff of clubs affected by changes to the 2015 S-League season, where Tanjong Pagar United will sit out, while Woodlands Wellington and Hougang United would merge.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS), which helps players find work outside of football under its “Career After Football” project, welcomed the news.

“We’re happy to hear that Sport SG is open to assisting footballers under the spexCareer Scheme as well, and look forward to working together with them for the benefit of Singapore footballers,” said FAS marketing and communications director Gerard Wong.

Tng added: “We can help them (footballers) to link up with a company and it’s free. It is just a connection that we can make.”

spexBusiness Network members: Adecco, Amore Fitness, Banyan Tree*, Borneo Motors Singapore, CapitaLand*, Charles & Keith Group, DBS Bank, Deloitte Singapore, DHL Supply Chain, Fuji Xerox Singapore*, KPMG, MOH Holdings, MSIG Insurance, OSIM International*, Pacific International Lines*, Resorts World Sentosa, Sakae Holdings, Sports Link Holdings*, StarHub, Volkswagen Group Singapore*

* New companies on the scheme

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.