Sports enthusiasts usually enjoy their favourite games as players or spectators. But since last year, 21-year-old Zeng Ruiyi has been involved in hers as a volunteer — most notably during the World Table Tennis (WTT) Cup Finals, held in December 2021 at Singapore Sports Hub. “I had just wrapped up my A-Levels, so I had time on my hands to volunteer,” she tells Here to Play.

Ruiyi is part of Team Nila, a national sport volunteerism movement that promotes the culture of giving, citizen partnership and social cohesion through sport volunteerism. Volunteering opportunities include conducting physical activities at sporting spaces and facilities, and serving as assistant coaches with ActiveSG academies and clubs.

But as Ruiyi shares, volunteering isn’t a new passion. “I have been volunteering every year since 2016. I have worked with many different organisations, such as All Saints Home, Tembusu Senior Activity Centre, Singapore Heart Foundation, Singapore Association of The Visually Handicapped, Asian Women’s Welfare Association and Guide Dogs Singapore.”

Despite these experiences, she still gets nervous from time to time, especially when interacting with new people. “That’s why volunteering helps — it gets me out of my comfort zone and challenges me.” To those with similar apprehensions, she advises, “Be confident and don’t be afraid to ask others for help, or even to make mistakes.”

Tell us about your role as a Team Nila volunteer.

Volunteers ensure the smooth running of events like the WTT Cup Finals. As a volunteer, we are tasked with different roles such as refilling the fridges, tagging the audiences, wiping down the tables that players play on and more. These efforts provide competitors a more comfortable and conducive environment to play in.

What motivated you to give back?

I got interested in table tennis during the home-based learning period, so when I heard about the WTT Cup Finals needing volunteers, I signed up eagerly. Besides wanting to learn more about table tennis, I also wanted to do my part to help Singapore run the event successfully and I’m glad that we were able to do that, especially amid COVID-19.

It was inevitably more difficult to hold such a large-scale event during the pandemic. However, as volunteers, we tried our best to provide a safe environment for the players by doing ART tests daily and abiding by the rules. As this event ended successfully, Singapore proved to the world that it is a trustworthy country with enthusiastic and responsible people. I hope this will attract more sports events to Singapore in the future.

How has volunteering given you a new perspective of table tennis?

It has allowed me to see first-hand the players’ determination and grit. This has inspired me to be more resilient and hardworking to achieve my goals in the future.

How has volunteering helped you?

It has sharpened my communication and organisational skills. I also met many like-minded people and bonded with them as we worked together. And as a soon-to-be working adult, I have benefitted from the exposure to various job roles, which can help me decide on a future career.

What do your family members think about your volunteer work? Are they supportive of it?

My parents also love table tennis. So they are naturally very supportive of me helping out in the sport and giving back to the community in any way that I can.

What advice do you have for those who might be interested in volunteering?

Do not be afraid to try out new things. Stay open-minded and positive. You will never know what you will go through until you experience it personally. In the end, your efforts will pay off!