May 2015

179 318

SCHOOL SPORTS
179 May15
1 Woodleigh Lane
6653 2948 |
What prompted you to move to Singapore?
My in-laws lived in Singapore for several years and our family had
spent many happy holidays here. So when an opportunity arose at
Stamford for my wife, Caroline, we were excited to relocate. She took
up a role as Head of Support for Learning. Once we’d moved, I was
fortunate to meet Matthew Murray at Champions Golf, Bukit Timah,
and I began teaching both adults and children.
Our four children (Lauren, 13; Charlotte, 11; Charles, eight and
George, four) were all enrolled at Stamford, and the school’s
forward-thinking and ambitious plans impressed me. I was even
more impressed by the golf facilities, and when an opportunity
arose to teach PE (physical education) and lead the school’s golf
and football programmes, I jumped at the chance. Now, every day
is like a family day out to Stamford.
Sportsman, policeman and teacher: those are three very
different career paths. How did you make the switch
between the three?
Immediately after leaving school I became a professional footballer,
but a serious head injury during a game forced me to retire. As part
of my rehabilitation, I played more and more golf, and reduced my
handicap to zero. The natural progression was to turn professional
golfer. After this, I combined the roles of police constable with
teaching and playing golf professionally. To supplement my sporting
knowledge I studied for a degree in physical education, and then
combined all my experience to become a PE teacher.
Do you continue to play golf and football?
Since relocating to Singapore I’ve played more football and less
golf. I play for the Hibernians Football Club, and usually manage two
to three games a week. While I like to play golf at Jurong and Sentosa,
it’s expensive; so I often travel to Malaysia or Indonesia for a game.
What sports do your children enjoy?
All my children play golf, and we have regular family trips to the
driving range. It’s my 11-year-old daughter who shows a particular
interest. And they all play football at the JSSL Soccer School.
Tell us about the golfing programme at Stamford.
Students use a state-of-the-art golf simulator that incorporates
stunning visuals of international golf courses, while they play,
practise, and compete – regardless of the weather outside. This
technology supports my teaching by providing detailed swing,
club and ball information, while entertaining skill challenges keep
it fun. When they’re ready, students move on to the putting green
or the driving nets. The school golf team competes in inter-school
competitions across Asia, and my next plan is to set up a Singapore
International Schools Golf League.
What benefits do children derive from playing sport?
Aside from the physical benefits, significant research indicates that
playing sport boosts their academic performance and promotes
their social and emotional wellbeing. Complimenting students has
an impact on their self-confidence; they learn to trust in their own
abilities and to push themselves. Constructive criticism is also a
major part of sports participation, and students learn to accept
criticism, and use it to their benefit.
Professional sportsman, police officer
and now teacher, British-born DAVID
PENDLETON-NASH is one very talented
individual. As well as having competed
three times in the qualifying stages of the
British Open golf championship, he was
a professional football player, and is now
having a big impact on students at Stamford
American International School (Stamford)
as head of its golf and football programmes.
SPORTING
CHANCE