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Heart of Coaching
Ardi Ramli & Lionel Teo: Be Brave in the Attempt
C. Kunalan: Gratefulness to my Coaches
Teo Siew Lan: Character Makes Champions
Loh Ngiap Tai: To Coach is to Love
Louise Khng: Trust the Process
Ang Peng Siong: An Environment where Champions are Inevitable

Impact of Coaches

Shanti Pereira

Shanti Pereira

Athletics
I’m very thankful to my coach, Luis Filipe Vitorino Cunha. He is extremely deserving of his Coach of the Year award, I’m so glad he is being recognised for his efforts in my journey, as well as the impact he has made for Singapore athletics as a whole and my entire support system for getting me here.
Alethea and Alaina Lee

Alethea and Alaina Lee

Inline / Ice Skating
Coach Lucas is more than a coach, he is a mentor who genuinely invests in the growth and success of his athletes. He makes us and all the other kids feel like we can do anything if we work hard and don’t give up!
Muhammad Syafiq Bin Abdul Manap

Muhammad Syafiq Bin Abdul Manap

Football
I was once a reserved boy and knew absolutely nothing about coaching kids when I started out as a youth coach. Sometimes, I would get panic attacks when left alone with them. Without my SportCares Saturday Night Lights (SNL) coach and mentor, Farhan Farook, I will not be who I am today. He once told me, ‘Fall in love with what you do, and everything will be alright.’ This simple quote means so much to me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a better person.
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Vanessa Yan

Vanessa Yan

Floorball
Coach Yiru has always been patient and understanding of us. He is always encouraging, cheering us on at the sidelines and giving us motivation even when we are not performing up to our usual standards. He always constantly pushes us further and makes sure we display good values. His encouragement and high standards has inspired our team to improve constantly and for that we are forever grateful.
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Coach For

The Athletes

Watching my players grow not only as athletes but also individuals, as they build their confidence, leadership skills and foster strong relationships with others, is incredibly fulfilling. I believe coaching allows me to contribute to the larger goal of growing the love for sport

Cheong Peng Chin Winson

ActiveSG Volleyball Academy & School Teams Coach (Singapore Coach Medallion Winner 2023)

Hold yourself to the highest standards and always remember you are a role model for many. So do not abuse the trust and power given to you

Teo Shun Xie

National Youth Team Pistol Coach

The priceless moment for a coach is when you are remembered not only for your coaching but for the fact that you touched someone’s life. For that, they will remember you wherever they go!

Nur Faizah Binte Mohd Ardi

Football & Kinball Coach

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Share an inspirational story about your coach!

Submit inspirational stories and meaningful impact that coaches have been making on the ground working with parents, athletes, and shareholders.

Game For Life Framework

The Game for Life Framework provides coaches with a structured approach to intentionally develop character values and self-leadership through sports programmes. This framework helps coaches design purposeful sporting experiences that go beyond physical skills to nurture essential life skills. 

Who is this for

For Coaches and Teachers who develop well-rounded athletes through sports, transforming learning moments into life lessons while nurturing character and essential life skills.

Perfect for anyone who believes in developing both athletic excellence and personal growth.

Framework Overview

A coaching framework that integrates Sport Mastery, Social, Moral and Performance Values/Attributes. Through HEART principles and Check-Act-Reinforce methods, coaches develop athletes holistically in both sport and life. 

Coaching from H.E.A.R.T
Coaching from H.E.A.R.T Actions by Coaches Sport Mastery Performance Values / Attributes Social / Moral Values & Attributes Holistically developed athlete
Coaching from the Heart
Coming from the H.E.A.R.T

The framework's outer ring represents the HEART of coaching, the driving force behind coaches' actions. By positioning this crucial element on the periphery, the model emphasizes how HEART principles should permeate all aspects of athlete development.

Actions by Coaches

Guided by the principles of Coaching from the Heart, coaches design and deliver activities through the Check-Act-Reinforce cycle. This approach ensures holistic development across sport mastery, values, and performance.

Sport Mastery

Develop technical and tactical abilities and game understanding through progressive training. Design activities that build fundamental to advanced skills for competitive readiness. 

Performance Values / Attributes

Develop values and attributes like mental focus, resilience through planned practice. Design training that enhances these values and attributes for competitive success.

Social / Moral Values & Attributes

Design coaching sessions that develop character values such as teamwork, integrity, and communication alongside sport-specific skills. Create training environments where these qualities emerge naturally through planned activities.

Holistically developed athlete

An athlete who excels in sport mastery, social and moral values, and performance attributes. This results from the balanced integration of technical, tactical skills, character development, and competitive capabilities, guided by coaching from the heart.

Steps to Planning a Game For Life Lesson

Game For Life Framework
Initial Planning Set Clear Objectives Design session activities Identify Values Actions by Coach
1. Initial Planning
  • Determine session basics (group size, level, duration, venue)
  • Identify session number in overall program
  • List required equipment
  • Consider athlete readiness/ability levels
2. Set Clear Objectives
  • Define specific technical/tactical skills to develop
  • Ensure objectives are appropriate for athlete level 
  • Make objectives observable
3. Design session activities
  • Plan time allocation for each segment 
  • Create progressive activities (warm-up → main → conclusion) 
  • Include diagrams and organization details 
  • Ensure activities support both skills and values 
4. Identify Values & Attributes that can be drawn from the activities
  • Select values that align with training objectives/sport skills 
  • List specific observable behaviors to look for 
  • Consider individual athlete needs 
5. Actions by Coach → Plan coaching cues & facilitative questions for C.A.R
  • Have in mind coaching cues and facilitative questions to guide learning of skills and values 
  • Plan coaching actions that will take place before, during and after your main training activities, using Check-Act-Reinforce process to facilitate learning

CHECK:

  • Write specific questions to check understanding
  • Plan how to observe both skills and behaviors
  • Prepare clear instructions and explanations

ACT:

  • Plan responses to expected behaviors
  • Prepare specific feedback cues
  • Design interventions for teaching moments

REINFORCE

  • Plan reflection questions
  • Design ways to connect learning to life
  • Prepare summary points for session closure (at conclusion)
Steps to Planning a Game For Life Lesson
1. Initial Planning
  • Determine session basics (group size, level, duration, venue)
  • Identify session number in overall program
  • List required equipment
  • Consider athlete readiness/ability levels
2. Set Clear Objectives
  • Define specific technical/tactical skills to develop
  • Ensure objectives are appropriate for athlete level 
  • Make objectives observable
3. Design session activities
  • Plan time allocation for each segment 
  • Create progressive activities (warm-up → main → conclusion) 
  • Include diagrams and organization details 
  • Ensure activities support both skills and values 
4. Identify Values & Attributes that can be drawn from the activities
  • Select values that align with training objectives/sport skills 
  • List specific observable behaviors to look for 
  • Consider individual athlete needs 
5. Actions by Coach → Plan coaching cues & facilitative questions for C.A.R
  • Have in mind coaching cues and facilitative questions to guide learning of skills and values 
  • Plan coaching actions that will take place before, during and after your main training activities, using Check-Act-Reinforce process to facilitate learning

CHECK:

  • Write specific questions to check understanding
  • Plan how to observe both skills and behaviors
  • Prepare clear instructions and explanations

ACT:

  • Plan responses to expected behaviors
  • Prepare specific feedback cues
  • Design interventions for teaching moments

REINFORCE

  • Plan reflection questions
  • Design ways to connect learning to life
  • Prepare summary points for session closure (at conclusion)

Values & Attributes

Performance
Social
Moral

Performance values and attributes are important for sports proficiency for effective skill learning and execution.

They have a direct connection to success and achievement at individual and team levels. 

Attentiveness
P-Attentiveness
Attentiveness
  • Maintains focus during instructions
  • Responds quickly to coaching feedback
  • Shows active engagement in training
Awareness
P-Awareness
Awareness
  • Reads game situations effectively
  • Understands own position/role
  • Adapts to changing conditions
Competitiveness
P-Competitiveness
Competitiveness
  • Rises to challenges
  • Shows fighting spirit in tough situations
  • Maintains high standards
Confidence
P-Confidence
Confidence
  • Shows positive body language
  • Attempts challenging skills
  • Expresses ideas/opinions clearly
Consistency
P-Consistency
Consistency
  • Maintains performance standards
  • Shows reliable execution
  • Follows routines systematically
Courage
P-Courage
Courage
  • Faces fears/difficulties directly
  • Steps out of comfort zone
  • Rebounds from setbacks
Determination
P-Determination
Determination
  • Maintains effort in tough situations
  • Pushes through fatigue
  • Stays focused on goals with high personal effort
Diligence
P-Diligence
Diligence
  • Being on task or training on own initiative
  • Practises with purpose
  • Maintains effort throughout
Excellence
P-Excellence
Excellence
  • Strives for high quality execution
  • Having a high standard of personal and team performance
  • Shows commitment to improvement
Focus
P-Mental Focus
Focus
  • Keeping to sports tasks without being distracted
  • Shows consistent concentration on a specific skill or role assigned
  • Maintains pre-game/training routines
Resilience
P-Resilience
Resilience
  • Bounces back from setbacks
  • Persists through challenges
  • Displaying grit under intense competition
Self-Management
P-Self Management
Self-Management
  • Regulates emotions under pressure
  • Follows training plans
  • Shows disciplined preparation
Teachable spirit
P-Teachable Spirit
Teachable spirit
  • Seeks feedback actively
  • Implements corrections promptly
  • Shows willingness to try new methods
Tenacity
P-Tenacity
Tenacity
  • Shows sustained motivation toward goals
  • Displays a competitive spirit
  • Shows continuation of effort despite setbacks

Social values and attributes seek to improve relationships dynamics between team mates, opponents, coaches, officials, and strengthens team culture.

Accountability
S-Accountability
Accountability
  • Acknowledging consequences from personal actions
  • Admits and learns from mistakes
  • Follows through on commitments
Care
S-Care
Care
  • Supports struggling teammates
  • Shows concern for others
  • Helps new members adapt
Communication
S-Communication
Communication
  • Gives constructive feedback
  • Listens actively
  • Shares knowledge willingly
Commitment
M-Accountability
Commitment
  • Devoting steadfastly to training
  • Playing the assigned role to best effort
  • Follows through on tasks even when facing challenges
Enthusiasm
S-Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm
  • Shows positive energy in training
  • Encourages teammates to better performance
  • Maintains high spirits in challenges
Harmony
S-Harmony
Harmony
  • Works well with diversity
  • Resolves conflicts positively
  • Actively encouraging teammates
Respect
S-Respect
Respect
  • Gives attention and understanding to views of others
  • Acknowledges others' contributions
  • Demonstrates good sportsmanship
Responsibility
S-Responsibility
Responsibility
  • Shows up prepared
  • Completes assigned roles/tasks
  • Fulfills team duties
Leadership
S-Leadership
Leadership
  • Takes initiative in activities
  • Guides less experienced teammates
  • Shows positive influence
Teamwork
S-Teamwork
Teamwork
  • Collaborates effectively
  • Shares responsibility
  • Supports team decisions

Moral values and attributes moderate our desires for success with a sense of righteousness.

They keep winning in perspective and guide us to do the right thing despite social pressure.

Compassion
M-Compassion
Compassion
  • Helps injured teammates/opponents
  • Shows concern for others' struggles
  • Supports those having difficulties
Fair Play
M-Fair Play
Fair Play
  • Plays by the rules rather than looking for loopholes to exploit
  • Shows respect to officials
  • Accepts decisions gracefully
Integrity
M-Integrity
Integrity
  • Admits mistakes openly
  • Voluntarily acknowledges faults/violations of rules
  • Makes decisions based on strong moral principles
Loyalty
M-Responsibility
Loyalty
  • Stands by team decisions and values
  • Supports teammates in difficulty
  • Puts team interests before personal gain
Sportsmanship
M-Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship
  • Wins with humility and loses gracefully
  • Acknowledges opponents' good play
  • Consistent display of respect, fairness and integrity in different sport situations

Game For Life Resource Hub

Toolkits, templates, and lesson plans—everything you need to coach with impact.

GAME FOR LIFE

Mentoring Programme

Elevate your coaching with dedicated support and guidance on integrating values into every session.

Patrick Paranjody

It has been an insightful and enjoyable experience to learn from my mentor, Gobi. A major progress for me has been penning down my thoughts rather than just managing scenarios on the fly.

Patrick Paranjody
Football Coach
ActiveSG Football Academy
Weixin 2

Dr Teo-Koh is a very good mentor. She did not just tell us what to do but rather got us to reflect on our coaching actions during training and how we can grow our skills. Overall, this has been a great learning and pleasant experience for me.

Xu Weixin
Athletics Coach
SportCares Care Runners & ActiveSG Athletics Academy
Louis Ho

I have gained the confidence and competence to design and implement a values-based PE/Coaching Session without forgetting the psychomotor and cognitive aspects of a PE/Sports programme. Having a mentor is like having an accountability partner and a “coach” that helps me to translate what I have learnt about GFL.

Louis Ho
PE Teacher-Coach
National Institute of Education
Jackie_Vincent

Vincent’s mentorship was transformative, particularly for my mindset. His genuine encouragement and motivational talks spurred me to work even harder. I valued how he tailored feedback to my strengths while gently pushing me out of my comfort zone. Most of all, his passion for values-based coaching was contagious—I now see tennis as a tool for life lessons.

Jackie Quah
Tennis Coach
ActiveSG Tennis Academy

Hand on heart, I know sport made me.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam

President of Singapore

Game For Life
25 Journeys

Discover 25 inspiring stories of transformation through sport.