NETBALL PROGRAMME AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES PART OF PARTNERSHIP TO CULTIVATE TALENT IN LOCAL NETBALL COMMUNITY

SINGAPORE, 24 November 2015 – Netball Singapore and Deloitte today announced a partnership to offer employment and education opportunities to netballers in the National Opens team, 21 & Under squad, as well as tertiary players who have participated in Netball Singapore events.

Through this partnership, eligible netballers will be offered internship and scholarship opportunities that can help nurture them professionally even as they maintain their commitment to excelling at netball with their respective teams.

“Globally, Deloitte has a strong history in our support for sports, believing that sports embodies our shared values of integrity, excellence, and commitment to one another. In Singapore, this support is translated through our commitment towards developing sports within the local community, and one way we do so is by providing local athletes with avenues to balance their sporting and professional goals,” said Philip Yuen, Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Singapore.

Through its in-house athlete recruitment programme Deloitte Ignite and its partnership with Sport Singapore through the spexBusiness Network, Deloitte Singapore is able to offer elite netballers internship positions by matching skill sets to its range of specialisations, such as Audit, Tax, Consulting, Financial Advisory, Risk Management, Marketing, Communications, Human Resources. Scholarship opportunities will be open to those pursuing a degree in accountancy.

Deloitte Singapore counts among its employees current Team Singapore netball players Charmaine Soh, Kimberly Lim, Micky Lin and Yu Mei Ling; and retired national players Koh Kai Ling and Suhailah Kariman. In addition, there are also several employees who are active players in the annual Netball Super League.

“I am very grateful for the support my supervisors and colleagues have given me; it has allowed me to earn my keep and play the sport that I love. For example, my supervisors and colleagues know what my commitments are like, and I can focus on my training and take time off for competitions without any worry. Of course, I make sure I deliver and meet my work targets too,” said Micky Lin, Clients & Markets Assistant Manager with Deloitte Singapore, and captain of the Team Singapore netball team.

“Athletes bring with them strong foundational skills including leadership, teamwork, and a winning mentality – qualities that we value. We hope that with our support, athletes can develop further, achieving their goals both on and off the court,” said Mr Yuen.

These opportunities come as part of a year-long partnership between the organisations to develop netball in Singapore at both a grassroots and professional level, and includes Deloitte Singapore taking on the role as title sponsor for Pesta Sukan 2016.

“This partnership is a step forward for netball in Singapore as it provides multiple opportunities to progress the sport. The education and employment opportunities with Deloitte will give players additional career avenues as they pursue sporting excellence. The partnership at a professional level helps grow the awareness of netball in Singapore and solidify our position as one of the top netballing nations globally,” said Jessica Tan, Member of Parliament, President of Netball Singapore.

The partnership will also give back to the community, as Netball Singapore will work closely with Deloitte to start netball as a Co-Curricular Activity and run netball programmes for the students in NorthLight School, Deloitte Singapore’s CSR partner.

These development activities aim to train the students and enhance their interest and skills with the goal for them to participate in Netball Singapore’s carnivals and leagues such as the Daisy Tan Carnival and M1 Schools Challenge League. In addition, Netball Singapore will give these students the opportunity to experience the Mission Foods Nations Cup and the Netball Super League live in 2016.

“It is our collective Purpose to make an impact that matters in all that we do and we are passionate about investing in the community in which we work and live. This new partnership with Netball Singapore aligns us to our goal of developing the local youth community and helping them realise their dreams,” said Mr Yuen.

With this partnership, Deloitte Singapore extends its commitment to supporting the development of the local and regional sporting scene, adding to its prior involvement in the 28th SEA Games that was held in Singapore in June, and the upcoming 8th ASEAN Para Games.