New group to speak out for coaches

SINGAPORE — Coaches across all sports, from freelancers who work with schools to those who train elite athletes, now have an association to represent their interests, especially in income security, Central Provident Funds savings, and injury and health insurance.

The Sports Coaches Association of Singapore (SCA) was formed with the help of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) in the middle of last year, and is the first such body for local sports.

Their application to the Registry of Societies was approved last month.

Headed by a pro-tem committee of coaches from netball, softball, dragonboat, athletics and climbing, the SCA aims to be the collective voice of the coaching community.

Freelance softball coach Suzanne Tan, secretary of the SCA pro-tem committee, lost two months of earnings when the trans-boundary haze hit Singapore in 2007 and schools cancelled outdoor sports and activities.

“My biggest objective is to make a difference. ... We want to raise the quality of their livelihoods and give more clout to coaches,” said the 31-year-old. “Contracts are usually drafted by buyers and don’t give us much choice to negotiate. Perhaps they (both contracted parties) can agree on a percentage payment when such issues happen as it’s a lose-lose situation for coaches.”

SCA president and netball coach Justin Teh added: “We want to tell coaches that their voice matters and will be heard when we come together. The response has been very positive. ... Of course some say there are hard times ahead for the association, but in general they feel it’s the right step forward.”

While some 2,000 coaches are currently registered with Sport Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said an estimated 183,000 local independent workers are not in an employer-employee relationship.

The majority of sports coaches are engaged by organisations such as the Ministry of Education (MOE) and its schools, the People’s Association and National Sports Associations (NSAs). The SCA is keen to work with these bodies to put in place fair practices in the hiring of freelancers.

The association also wants to focus on the professional development of coaches and will work with NTUC to explore partnerships with the Devan Nair Employment and Employability Institute, Singapore Workforce Development Agency and Sport Singapore.

With such tie-ups, SCA aims to expand the use of SkillsFuture Credit and the Union Training Assistance Programme — a skills upgrading account for NTUC members — to allow coaches to take up masterclasses and courses.

A series of roadshows will be held this year to recruit members for the association, with over 90 people expected to attend the first event at the NTUC Centre tomorrow.

Elections for office-bearers will be held at the SCA’s annual general meeting in August.

Ang Hin Kee, director of NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit, is hopeful the new body will help coaches improve their lot.

“We want to see coaching evolve as a viable career in Singapore, and for people to view it as a professional job,” said Ang.

“There is a lot of instability (as a coach), and I hope the association can address these issues and move it forward.

“We will be hosting the SEA Games in two months’ time, and behind the scenes of all the achievements and accolades are the unsung heroes, the coaches.

“It is important to ensure that we have a sustainable pool of these professionals. If not, we may not have good-quality coaches in the long run, and that is detrimental for sports.”

Coaches who are keen to sign on as a member of the SCA can email team [at] sca.org.sg.