Coach Appreciation Month

Every September, the Singapore Coaching community recognises the tireless contributions of coaches. As part of this celebration, Coach SG with Singapore Gymnastics (SG) encouraged the gymnastics community to express appreciation to coaches through testimonials, messages, posts and videos.

A testimonial from Elijah Theseira and Family

"Firm but fair, and extremely funny.” The highest praise from a young boy. Gymnastics is not simply a sport, it is an analogy for life, where through discipline, perseverance, camaraderie, and fun, children grow into strong, flexible adults in body and mind; and importantly resilient, responsible members of society. Coach Aizat is the perfect role model of this. His tough love is meted out with kindness and humour; experience allowing him to know when to challenge, and motivate. Crucially, for us parents, the pride he shows when each child achieves a new skill is what makes him stand out. Thanks Coach, for your dedication.

A message from Nathanael and Andrew

How do I best describe the world’s number one Coach? Words may not be enough but let me try.

You stand ready to catch me when I fall.

You look beyond what I can’t do yet and make me feel that “I can”.

You lower yourself so that we can be on the same level.

You say words so that I keep trying.

You cheer me on and give me the courage to try.

You stand ready to catch me when I fall.

Like learning to walk, gymnastics takes days, weeks and years of training. It’s not a smooth path but one with bumps and falls along the way. Coach Aizat, with all the time spent training me, you know where I may stumble and you are there, ready to catch me. I’m thankful and I am safe.

You look beyond what I can’t do yet and make me feel that “I can”.

Gymnastics is a sport where we are constantly learning new skills. Before we can even acquire those skills, we need to start small. Coach Aizat, thank you for honing the little details so that I can feel the achievement when it is all put together. You see something in me and build me up.

You lower yourself so that we can be on the same level.

I am small, you are big. When you bend down to talk to me, I feel understood. Coach Aizat, thank you for seeing things from my perspective.

You say words so that I keep trying.

Coach Aizat, your words of “you can do it” and “fight the pain” keep me trying and make me persevere. I not only learn gymnastics but life skills from you.

You cheer me on and give me the courage to try.

Thank you Coach Aizat for being the World’s Best Coach!