Picture a rugby player and a cheerleader – what visual image of the two athletes would immediately come to mind? Perhaps that of a male rugby player and a female cheerleader?

Sports often have gendered connotations in our society and culture, with those that demonstrate strength and power, such as football and basketball, labelled as ‘masculine’, while aesthetic sports, such as figure skating, are feminised. These gender stereotypes have also long influenced our choices in what sport to pursue.

But some teams and athletes at NUS are changing the game by embracing the sports they are truly passionate about, promoting equal and inclusive participation across genders and enriching our campus culture.

Foo Jing Ning Joy: At the top of her game
Joy, a Year 3 Computer Science student at NUS School of Computing, played touch rugby throughout her Junior College (JC) years. At each practice, she would glance across the training field where a women’s rugby team practiced and was drawn by the adrenaline-fuelled gameplay and team camaraderie of the sister sport.

“There is no girls’ rugby (team) in schools here throughout primary school to JC,” explained Joy, who took the first opportunity she got as a freshman in October 2022 to join NUS Women’s Rugby.

“Unlike in touch rugby where you must stop each time you get touched, rugby allows you to keep advancing towards the try line^[1] if you can outmanoeuvre the defenders on the opposing team,” said Joy, explaining the key difference between the two games. “That sense of liberation that comes with breaking through the defence and running towards the try line with the ball in tow, knowing you are going to score, is simply the best part about playing rugby,” she added.

According to Joy, her background in touch rugby has helped fast-track her progression in the full-contact sport. In less than a year, Joy’s performance on the field caught the attention of Singapore’s national team coach and she was invited to train with the national training squad. If selected to play in the national team, Joy will join the ranks of a select group of NUS Women’s Rugby players to represent Singapore.

Apart from developing herself as a player, joining NUS Women’s Rugby has given Joy the opportunity to hone her leadership skills, first as team manager and now as team captain. With the support of her Executive Committee, Joy coordinates training sessions and ensures her teammates are present and ready to give their 100 per cent. If team morale is low, Joy takes it upon herself to boost their spirits. “At times, it can be difficult to balance responsibilities and having fun with the team. That is a skill I’m learning to master,” she said.

“When people hear that I play contact rugby, they are often surprised because they assume contact rugby is for men and touch rugby is for women. They have the impression that contact rugby is a dangerous and aggressive sport,” said Joy. While every sport has an inherent risk of getting injured, she believes that these injuries can be mitigated through form, technique and focusing on proper recovery each time.

“Once you start playing rugby and experience the different roles on the field, you realise that it’s quite a craft that can be perfected. We have lines that we play, and plays that we can execute, and these plays can be practiced into perfection – much like an art form,” she said.

Joy and her NUS Women’s Rugby teammates are eager to introduce the sport to more girls. “To join us, there are no prerequisites. We train all our players in technique; you just need to come with the drive to want to play and be daring to make the tackle and be tackled.”

As a rugby player and a Computer Science major, Joy’s resilience and determination isn’t just challenging gender stereotypes in sports, but also in ‘tech’. Off the field, Joy dabbles in web application development projects and is exploring ways in which Artificial Intelligence can be used to improve daily functions in life.

Muhammad Asyraf Bin Abdul Mutaliff: Discovering a new form of athletic expression
Asyraf, a final-year Political Science major at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is captain and a male base of NUS Alpha Verve Cheerleading.

His venture into the sport began rather serendipitously, during his freshman year at NUS, after watching a Netflix documentary that highlighted the athleticism and artistry involved in cheerleading. Seeing that NUS had a cheerleading team, Asyraf decided to step out of his comfort zone and give it a try, pivoting from soccer, his sport of choice throughout his youth.

"Cheerleading is an interesting sport that tests your physical, mental, and emotional endurance," Asyraf explained. “It requires not only strength but also precise coordination, trust, and communication among team members.” As a male base—a pivotal role in lifting and supporting the flyers during stunts—Asyraf brings his soccer-honed strength to the team, allowing for impressive partner stunts and acrobatics.

The journey into cheerleading wasn't without its challenges. With no prior experience before university, Asyraf had to adapt quickly to the rigorous training schedule of three times a week, along with additional gym sessions focused on exercises that translate into cheerleading stunts such as shoulder presses and squats. "It's a sport where you have to give your 100 per cent in everything," he said, reflecting on the demanding nature of practices to put together a 24-man, 2-minute, 50-second routine packed with synchronised movements, pyramids, and acrobatics.

Beyond the physical demands, Asyraf values the tight-knit community and friendships fostered through cheerleading. Team activities like bonding suppers and events like Cheer Mania, where different university teams come together, are highlights of his university experience. "It has really shaped my time here at NUS," Asyraf said, emphasising how cheerleading has enriched his university life beyond academics.

As team captain, Asyraf takes on additional responsibilities, ensuring the team's safety during training and orchestrating routines that highlight their strengths. Looking ahead, his main goal is to lead Alpha Verve to gold at the upcoming Nationals, a testament to his dedication and leadership within the team.

Outside of cheerleading, Asyraf maintains a rigorous academic schedule, balancing his passion for political science with his athletic pursuits. He plans to pursue a Master's degree after graduation, aiming to further his knowledge in public policy or administration.

Reflecting on his journey so far, Asyraf hopes to inspire others to get past stereotypes and pursue their passions wholeheartedly. "Cheerleading is a sport open to anyone willing to take the leap,” said Asyraf, proving that true strength lies not just in physical prowess, but in the courage to pursue one's passions against the odds.

As a fun fact, he shared that NUS Alpha Verve Cheerleading now has its first male flyer, a role previously reserved for females, further promoting equal participation in the sport.

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This story first appeared in NUSNews on 6 August 2024.