Methodist Girls’ School secure second straight C Div netball title with win over CHIJ Secondary

SINGAPORE – For as long as she can remember, Lauren Foo has enjoyed competitive sport.

The 14-year-old once found that adrenaline in the pool as a competitive swimmer – an endeavour she juggled alongside her dance co-curricular activity (CCA) in primary school – before deciding that the individual nature of the sport was not for her.

So when she entered Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary) in 2024, she picked netball as her CCA, seeking the same intensity but in a different setting.

The decision paid off sooner than the Secondary 2 student expected.

To her surprise, she was selected for the 2025 National School Games (NSG) squad and had a debut season to remember as they captured the C Division title after a 30-25 win over CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) in the final on Aug 29.

The 14-year-old, who plays centre, said: “I’m really thankful for all my teammates. I didn’t expect to get in (the squad) this year, so I was shocked but I really had a lot of fun playing my first NSG with all my teammates. 

“I really like the adrenaline and having all the supporters here. I love playing with my teammates and it’s very encouraging to see when everyone is working together.”

At the Jurong East Sports Hall, defending champions MGS got off to a fast start as they raced to a 5-1 lead, while CHIJ endured a nervy opening. MGS’ tight defence forced crucial turnovers that allowed them to extend their advantage to 7-3 by the end of the first quarter.

They grew their lead to 14-8 in the second stanza, but CHIJ returned from half-time looking more settled, with the 2023 champions outscoring MGS 9-5 in the third quarter to narrow the deficit to just two goals heading into the final 15 minutes.

When CHIJ cut the margin to just 20-19, the game looked poised for a tense finish, but MGS pulled away to seal victory.

When the final whistle blew, screams of joy rang out while the players hugged one another in celebration.

This is MGS’ second straight C Division crown, following their 2024 success that ended a 26-year wait for the title, and completed a double for the school which had also emerged victorious in the B Division in April.

MGS coach Joanne Ong admitted there was some pressure going in as defending champions, but lauded the players for working together to overcome each obstacle.

Hailing their resilience, she said: “At the start we did a good job, but in the third quarter, CHIJ converted quite a few of the goals so the girls were maybe a bit nervous. But after the break, encouraging them to stick to the plan pushed them on for the last part.

“It wasn’t easy, but thanks to the girls for fighting hard and not giving up.”

While there were nerves ahead of the final, MGS captain Sarah Yap, who plays goal defence, said the jitters dissipated quickly after their strong start.

“We did well in the first quarter, so I knew there was potential to make an even bigger score difference,” said the Secondary 2 student.

“But when there was a one-goal difference, coach told me to just do my own play and not worry about the outside commotion,” the 14-year-old added, referring to the cheers from both sets of supporters.

The support from the stands fuelled players like goal shooter and vice-captain Cayla Ho.

The Secondary 2 student, 14, said: “I’m very happy and proud of the team because all our effort paid off.

“It was very nerve-racking since the difference was very close, but what kept me going was what my teammates had done to get the ball, so I wanted to put every shot in.”

CHIJ coach Kok Mun Wai, who credited MGS for their performance, admitted the occasion got to her team.

She said: “The first two quarters they weren’t their usual selves, it was only the third quarter onwards that we started to play how we usually play. The first two quarters, they were probably too nervous.

“Being so young, naturally when it’s a final, the occasion will get to them. Overall they’ve done well considering that it was four months of competition – to come all the way to the final, I’m proud of them.”

While it was not the result they had hoped for, CHIJ captain Gwyneth Toh remained proud of her team.

The 14-year-old said: “I’m very happy that my team made it this far – the result is something that we can’t change, but we really tried very hard and pushed to the end.”