By Stephanie Zhang
This year, SASPD hosted the APAC touch rugby and table tennis games in late January—it was nothing less than exhilarating. The entire campus buzzed with energy as teams from different schools arrived, five touch rugby teams and eight table tennis teams. Each brought their own spirit and demonstrated their athletic prowess, strategy, and teamwork. The atmosphere was vibrant—hallways were filled with teammates strategizing for the next game, spectators eagerly discussing matchups, and volunteers ensuring everything ran smoothly.
What made APAC special wasn’t just the competition itself, but rather the way our entire school enthusiastically embraced it. From the moment the first event kicked off, the fields were packed with students, teachers, and even families, all coming together to cheer on the athletes. Even when rival teams played, the crowd showed respect, showcasing the APAC values of celebrating talent, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
The excitement reached new heights during the mixed touch rugby game. Our PD1 team was fighting for the bronze medal, where we struggled to find our groove at the start, falling behind in the first half. But when the second period neared its end, our team made a break and scored a stunning trial that tied the game. At that time, the crowd bursted into a roar of supportive voices, clapping, and cheering. It was the spark our athletes needed. The energy from the stands lifted the whole team, and everyone could feel the momentum shift.
The intensity didn’t just stop there. The third period was where the real drama unfolded. With only four players allowed on the field for each team, the game became even more fast-paced and high-pressure. The first few minutes were a flurry of quick passes and near misses, but our opponents managed to break the tie, becoming a point ahead of us. Just when the game seemed to be slipping away, our team surged with renewed energy as friends and fans hollered. With only half a minute left on the clock, we scored again, tying the game once more. People broke into a frenzy, cheers echoed through the air as our athletes raced towards the final showdown.
Then came the most heart-pounding moment of all, when only three players from each team remained on the field. Whoever scored the next point would take the medal home. Every remaining pass was carefully executed, every move was crucial. It was a battle of speed, endurance, strategy, and willpower. Finally, in the last moments, we scored the winning trial. The stands erupted in jubilation as our team rushed to celebrate our victory, indulging in the sounds of cheering and congratulations.
Although our girls’ rugby team didn’t win a medal, the athletes showed incredible sportsmanship throughout the whole tournament. We supported each other through every moment, cheering and chanting “Eagles!” and “Kia Kaha” loud and proud even when the odds weren’t in our favor. This spirit of sportsmanship wasn’t just ours to own. After the girls’ final, where SASPX claimed the championship, the entire community spectating the game came together to show respect and genuine appreciation. We formed a long human bridge, using our bodies and hands to congratulate the champions as they made their way through, acknowledging not just the winners, but the spirit of fair competition that binds us all. In parallel, our boys’ rugby team earned the silver medal, a recognition that they fought hard and fair for. This APAC event wasn’t just about medals, it was about the community coming together to cheer, to support, and to celebrate the collective effort.
Meanwhile, the table tennis matches were just as captivating. The rallies were sharp and competitive, with each point drawing gasps and applause. The tension built up everytime the ball zipped across the table, each point more intense than the last. While the rugby games had their share of drama and physicality, the table tennis matches provided a different kind of thrill rooted in precision and strategy. The crowd’s appreciation for the matches grew with each rally, acknowledging the skill and determination of the players.
Beyond the competition itself, APAC was a reminder of what makes our school community so special. It underscored the real purpose of APAC games of uniting like-minded athletes and artists. Athletes who watched from the sidelines, volunteers who helped set out the food tables, and all the students and teachers came together to cheer on the athletes, share the highs and lows, and experience the joy of sport as a community. Our head coach Mr. Hossack commended all of our athletes for showing the best of their potential, and playing harder and better. These games weren’t just a display of athleticism, but a testament to the strength and spirit of our school.