By Chun Yuan Ong

Amid the buzz over the schedule change, few noticed the update to our Varsity sports training. When the coaches announced that practices would no longer take place on Mondays but on Saturdays, reactions ranged from excitement to hesitation. Intended to reduce conflicts with performing arts and other ASA activities, this change has now been in effect for an entire sports season.

So, how do athletes feel about losing a weekend morning but gaining a free Monday? 

For some, the adjustment has been beneficial. A volleyball player who is also active in Model United Nations shared that the Saturday practices “benefit me a lot,” explaining that Monday trainings often clashed with MUN meetings. However, not everyone on his team feels the same way. “Not my teammates, though,” he admitted, noting that weekend sessions can be harder for players who travel or have other plans. He added, however, that there has only been one weekend training this whole season.  

Across the field, the Cross Country (XC) team’s experience has been more relaxed. Since XC runners train primarily outdoors and don’t rely on gym facilities, their Saturday sessions don’t require being on campus. “We don’t really have it,” one runner explained. “Cuz we’re XC, we don’t really need to go to school, but the other sports need the gym.” For them, occasional weekend runs organized by team captains are sufficient. “We only had a time trial once where the coaches came,” said Jeffrey Du, a runner on the XC team. The change offers a valuable break. “If we have practice on Monday, Mr. Kwan would make us do a workout every time,” he laughed. “So it’s a good rest—you need rest in XC.” 

While opinions differ, both athletes agree that the new schedule has noticeably shaped their routines. For athletes with other commitments—whether athletics, MUN, band, or service projects—free Monday afternoons allow them to focus on these activities. For others, an extra day of rest at the start of the week is invaluable.  

Saturday practices may be less consistent than the traditional after-school Monday sessions, but their impact on students’ schedules is undeniable. As APAC approaches, we’ll soon see how this change affects our athletes—and we wish them the best of luck in their upcoming competitions.