(Photos courtesy of Chong Ji Lian)

As a little girl, Chong Ji Lian’s love of netball came from her mother, a teacher who was then in charge of the netball extracurricular activity (ECA) at the school where she worked. “I used to often follow her to school and watch her students play,” reminisces the 44-year-old, who is now a mother herself. “I also watched her when she umpired games.”

Ji Lian followed in her mother’s footsteps and played the sport from primary school all the way to university. However, netball took a backseat after graduation, as she had to focus on work and family commitments.

Still, Ji Lian, who is currently a stay-at-home mum to four children — two boys aged 16 and 8 and two daughters aged 14 and 11 — always longed that one of her daughters would carry on the family tradition by picking up netball too. Her wish came true when her younger daughter Tricia joined netball as her school’s co-curricular activity (CCA) in 2018.

“I was elated,” recalls Ji Lian. “I quickly signed Tricia up for the Sports Hub Netball Academy’s Afterschool Netball programme, as I really hoped she would be selected for the school team. Early training would provide a good foundation for her. Also, the Sports Hub Netball Academy organises leagues and games with other academies for their girls, and they have experienced coaches and a conveniently-located training venue.” Ji Lian adds that the strategic location, ample parking and weatherproof indoor court at Singapore Sports Hub makes it an ideal venue for netball enthusiasts to play their sport.

Ji Lian (1^st row, centre) with her buddies from NETforMUMS.

Not wanting to just be a netball mum on the sidelines, Ji Lian joined the Sports Hub Netball Academy’s NETforMUMS in 2018 as well. The social recreation initiative is for women aged 35 and above, and welcomes participants who are not mothers. Though she had wanted to return to the sport earlier, Ji Lian had to wait until her youngest child started full-day childcare — that was when she had more time for exercise. “I dislike jogging and have always preferred team sports, so this was the perfect chance to get back into netball,” she explains. “I like that NETforMUMS has a coach to guide us. I also enjoy making new friends – other like-minded ladies who have a common interest in netball.”

AN ACTIVE FAMILY

A love for sport runs in Ji Lian’s family. Since the children were young, she and her 45-year-old engineer husband have made it a point to bring them outdoors to exercise together. While her oldest son plays football and the other two children prefer badminton, it was Tricia that had an interest in netball. “Netball helps me de-stress, especially this year when I am studying for my Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE),” says Tricia.

Just like mum, she enjoys netball’s social aspect: “I like that I can make friends with girls of different ages and who go to different schools. Besides the bonding experience, the coaches are nice.”

Netball helps Tricia to de-stress, especially when she is studying for her PSLE.

SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

While Ji Lian and Tricia do not play netball together due to scheduling issues, they have seen enough of each other playing to know that they share some common ground while still being very different players.

Both mother and daughter desire to do their best on the court. Ji Lian fondly recalls watching Tricia play in her first league game in 2018: “I was very proud of her. Even though, like me, she is on the petite side, she makes up for it with her drive on the court.”

However, Ji Lian differs from her daughter when it comes to playing styles. “Defending wise, my mum prefers the T-defence while I prefer shadowing. I usually play as a centre player and wing-attack, while my mum can play any position,” says Tricia.

As in any parent-child relationship, conflict sometimes occurs between the two – but their love for each other helps them get past it. “My biggest challenge is to keep my opinions to myself when I watch her play, though sometimes I would forget and start yelling from the sidelines,” admits Ji Lian.

Tricia takes her mum’s in-game feedback in stride. “I might feel frustrated and annoyed initially. But after a while, I would calm down because I know my mum is just trying to help me improve.”

Still, Ji Lian’s presence on the sidelines is a net positive (pun intended). One of Tricia’s best memories is of her mum being there for her during a crucial match. “She was very supportive and kept cheering me on. During break time, she gave me some tips and complimented me.”

Netball has strengthened the bond between mother and daughter.

GO ON, TRY IT

Both mother and daughter highly recommend netball as a way to bond. “Netball has not only strengthened our relationship, but it also keeps us fit. Plus, we can help each other improve by practising passes and pointing out pros and cons in each other’s playing style,” says Tricia.

Agrees Ji Lian, “When your daughter first learns the game, you can throw balls to each other and do netball drills together. When your daughter grows older and her love of the game matches your own, it becomes like a special secret between the two of you. You’ll have other things to talk about, besides the usual daily exchanges about her schoolwork and friends.”