With the Singapore leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series happening on Apr 16-17, the spotlight’s on hugely popular sports that have taken a backseat to Singapore’s national obsession with soccer. Here’s where you can test your batting skills or even learn how to snowboard.
Australian Rules Football
Singapore Wombats
This uniquely Australian sport, which incorporates elements of basketball and rugby, is Down Under’s version of football. Each 18-player team attempts to handball and kick their way towards goal across a cricket pitch in a high-intensity game.
Where to sign up: There are weekend training sessions conducted by Australian football club Singapore Wombats, and the group welcomes players of all levels of experience. For more information, email [email protected].
Baseball
The Hit Factory
The classic American game pits two teams of nine players against each other on a diamond-shaped dirt pitch, where they try to score runs by running around four bases (first, second, third and home plate) each time the batter hits a ball thrown by the pitcher.
Where to sign up: For those unfamiliar with the sport, you can opt for personal coaching sessions at The Hit Factory, an indoor training facility which offers baseball and softball training courses. These 60-min classes start at $100 per player but if you prefer to strike it out on your own, try renting a batting cage from $30 for 15 minutes.
Lacrosse
Singapore Lacrosse Association
Using a long-handled stick fitted with a loose mesh at the end, players of two different teams compete to score by catching, cradling and then hurling a small rubber ball past the goalie and into the opposing team’s goal.
Where to sign up: From now till June, the Singapore Lacrosse Association is offering sessions for new players from 9-10:30 am on Sundays at the field behind the Grandstand at Turf City. The entire season costs $150 per person and equipment is provided. More experienced participants can join practices which run on Sundays from 10:30am-12pm and fees range from $250 for men and $150 for women.
Rugby
Rugby Sevens
An intense, fast-moving contact sport, players in two 15-man teams try to score tries by bringing an oval-shaped ball across the opponent’s try line located on the opposite end of the field, during which the person carrying the ball may be tackled by opposing players while attempting to cross the pitch. The seven-player version of the game is also making its debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janerio.
Where to sign up: There are currently eight rugby clubs in Singapore with training sessions that cater to players of all experience levels. To join, simply contact the Singapore Rugby Union at [email protected] for referrals or for the full list of clubs here.
Snowboarding
Urban Ski
This winter sport is pretty self explanatory—combining elements of skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing it involves descending downhill with your feet strapped to a board. There are different snowboarding styles, ranging from free riding, an uninhibited ride down any terrain, to freestyle, which involves performing tricks and stunts.
Where to sign up: Urban Ski has adult classes set on an indoor slope with five experience levels (introduction, beginner, intermediate, higher intermediate and advanced) and you will learn how to balance, turn, perform freestyle tricks and control your speed. Public group classes range from $90 per person for a single session to $1,288 per person for an off-peak season pass with unlimited sessions over three months. For private classes, rates range from $230 per person on weekdays to $360 for a group of four on weekends and public holidays.
