From Math Lessons to Soccer Legends: The Tale of TKPS
What’s the secret sauce?
No steroids, no dubious training tricks—just a dash of science, math, and data that turned the Tanjong Katong Primary School football crew into a championship squad.
The 2019 Triumph
In August of last year, the U10 boys from TKPS stormed the Singapore Pools‑FAS Inter‑School Futsal Challenge finals and locked up the title like a well‑timed goal in the last minute.
Meet the Coach Who Makes Numbers Count on the Pitch
Shahul Hamid isn’t your typical “scientist”—he’s a 38‑year‑old teacher who’s traded the lab coat for a whistle.
- Background: Graduated from the National Institute of Education with a degree in maths and science.
- Philosophy: Seamlessly blends academics with athleticism, proving that studying the footwork of data can power a team’s playbook.
- Personality: Good‑humoured, easy‑going, and remarkably modest, he’s the bridge between the nerds and the jocks at TKPS.
How He Does It
Think of him as a data‑driven coach—he turns equations into plays, equations into strategies, and equations into wins.
Teaching: My Teenage Triumphs and Unexpected Tragedies
Childhood Sparks & Classroom Glory
Ever since I was learning how to tie my shoes, I’ve loved the high‑five feeling that comes when a young brain finally clicks. I still remember the day a shy kid in my first tuititon class asked, “Did you ever think this could be so cool?” That buzz of accomplishment? It’s still torch‑light level bright in my memory.
Why Education Matters
From that first “aha” moment, I’ve come to believe that schooling isn’t just about punch‑in‑pencil; it’s the secret sauce that can shift a life’s entire direction. Those hungry pupils who finally get the hang of fractions or fractions of fractions? They’re practically future super‑heroes.
Career Path & a Sudden Shake‑up
In 2009, I landed a gig at TKPS and spent four solid years there, feeding the knowledge‑hungry masses. When a new door opened at Riverside Primary School, I jumped in—fresh ideas and all.
The 2015 Mount Kinabalu Earthquake
2015 threw a curveball: an earthquake in Sabah slammed the village with a deadly landslide at Mount Kinabalu. The wreckage didn’t just damage the trails, it also took the lives of seven students and two teachers—people from my old school. They were on an overseas leadership expedition, trying to braid adventure with curriculum. The world turned on a seismic scale that day.
Final Thought
Teaching has been my constant, pulling me through triumphs and tragedies alike. The joy of a child’s understanding and the weight of sudden loss remind me that education is a powerful force—capable of building future, but also fragile when hands are lost. If I could keep one lesson from that day: keep your smiles bright and your hearts sturdy, because the classroom is wherever you decide to learn and teach!
When Life Calls the Coach’s Phone
The Heartache
“We lost a couple of our colleagues,” he said, his voice low and ragged. “Two teachers who touched everyone’s lives. One was a dear friend, and both were our football cornerstones.”
Why Shahul Rushed Back
Having once walked those same halls, Shahul was the perfect match for the job. The school needed someone who knew the fortress of their culture inside out—and he was already a resident. It was a no‑question, “I can’t refuse.” After all, a true teammate never backs out.
His Tasks
- Teaching Duties – bringing knowledge and compassion into the classroom.
- Football Front – coaching the next generation to score both on the field and in life.
Fast Track Return
In 2016, Shahul dove back into TKPS, juggling both the chalky grit of academia and the sweaty thrill of the football pitch. The blend of experience and passion made each day feel like a winning play.
The football geek
Shahul: The Coach Who Turned Classroom into Soccer Field
Shahul’s love for football wasn’t a side hustle—it was a full‑throttle obsession. Even before he stepped into the halls of NOI, he was coaching young players back at the grassroots, sprinkling his own lifelong passion for the game into every training session.
When he joined TKPS as a teacher, he teamed up with a handful of fellow Victoria School alumni. Together, they set out to bring the same “work hard, play hard” spirit from the football pitch straight into the classroom.
- Mentoring: From cheering sidelines to lesson plans
- Passion: Keeping the love for football alive every day
- Collaboration: Building a school community that values both academics and sport
With Shahul in the mix, class discussions about tactics and halfway points feel less like drills and more like lively match analysis—keeping students engaged and on their toes.
Blurring the Lines Between Learning & Soccer
Shahul’s got this real‑life “teachers + coaches” vibe. He’s the guy who says: “You can’t have to pick a side when it comes to academics or the beautiful game.”
His secret weapon? Using the science of maths and physics on the pitch.
Field‑Level Science
- Before every match, he sends his students to size up the pitch. “It’s not just a flat grass patch,” he says.
- They take exact measurements: width, length, the smell of wet turf.
- All that data feeds into a play‑plan: *
Choosing the Attack
- Do we drift the ball to the sidelines? Maybe.
- Should the squad pack tighter? That depends on the numbers.
- Or go full‑back? The stats tell the story.
And the grand payoff? A team that stays sharp, laughs, and wows everyone with the flawless blend of knowledge and kicks.
Boosting Young Athletes: Shahul’s Smart Playbook
When it comes to getting kids into shape, Coach Shahul doesn’t just throw them into a treadmill. He pulls out his trusty fitness data and whips up supercharged training plans that get their bodies humming faster—without the usual snooze-fest routine.
Speed, Sweat, and a Dash of Science
Instead of the generic “run more” mantra, Shahul maps out personalized workout charts for each player. He mixes sprints with strength sessions so the kids stay lean and energized, giving the whole squad a competitive edge.
Beyond Cardio: Tactical Fun‑Zone
Cardiovascular fitness is just the starting line. Real game‑winning magic lies in the strategic side of the sport. Shahul knows explaining tactics to school‑age kids can feel like a math lecture in a playground—so he keeps it snappy, visual, and entertaining.
- “Kids these days want the ‘why,’ not just the “do!” question.
- He breaks down plays into simple stories—imagine a soccer field as a battle map.
- He throws in a side‑kick joke every time a tactic becomes too heavy.
Coach’s Take
“Every kid pauses when I ask, ‘Why are we doing this?’ I riff on their curiosity and keep the explanations hanging around their heads like cool badges,” Shahul says, with that trademark grin.
When Words Just Won’t Do It, Drones Take the Stage
Ever tried to get your team to pay attention with a pep talk and found it as useless as a flip‑flop in a snowstorm? That’s when the latest tech tools come into play.
- Flying drones swirl above the pitch, capturing every move, from the chaotic scrum to the precise sideline shuffle.
- Each snapshot feeds a slick visual map of player positions, giving the coach a real‑time theatre of the game.
- Think of it as the field’s own 360‑degree camera—no GPS trackers, just a bird’s eye view that can’t be beat.
Micro Bits: Tiny Computers with Big Ideas
Whole new level of cool: Micro Bits—small card‑sized processors that are already pulling primary school kids into coding workshops. Back in 2017, Singapore’s Ministry of Education rolled them out nationwide to spark creative problem‑solving.
Our coach doesn’t just use them as a learning toy; he turns each Micro Bit into a playful training buddy. Picture a minuscule black box on the sidelines, whispering to the team, “Check that formation, buddy!”
With drones mapping the field and Micro Bits adding a touch of playful tech, coaching feels less like shouting from the sidelines and more like a high‑tech, upbeat, “Let’s rock this!” approach.
From Classroom to Field: How Tech Is Bridging the Gap
Students Take the Lead
Instead of just watching the playbooks on their phones, these kids are coding their own step‑tracker. Using a block‑based platform, they built a smartwatch‑friendly app that logs every stride during conditioning drills. Think of it as the next generation of “are we there yet?” GPS, but for practice sessions.
Why This Matters
By letting students put the Line 1 of the code into the Line 2 of their physical training, the school is tearing down the old wall that separates learning from action. Not only does it make football more fun, but it also turns everyday math and science classes into interactive, grow‑your‑own‑gear adventures.
Parents Take Notice
- “I’m thankful for Mr. Shahul,” says Irfan Ismail, dad to two budding tackles. “He’s more than a coach; he’s a teacher who actually cares about the kids.”
- The emphasis on interest-driven training has turned a routine drill into a lab experiment, turning parents into enthusiastic supporters rather than passive observers.
Future‑Ready Lessons
With classes that blend coding and athletic training, students are stepping into tomorrow’s workforce today—whether it’s building an app or a quarter‑back’s footwork. And for the kids, the result is a smoother transition between learning and playing, with a dash of fun and a lot of tech.
Cracking the code
From Fourth to First: TKPS Futsal’s Wild Turnaround
It seems there’s a secret formula for turning a school sports team into a champion. Last year, the TKPS football squad dipped their toes into the inter‑school futsal arena and finished in a respectable fourth place. Fast forward to this season—they’re the undisputed front runners.
Coach Shahul: The Real MVP
“Training under Mr Shahul is a game changer,” says Raoul Hadid, the youngest captain to ever hold a title at TKPS. “He doesn’t just keep us playing; he pushes us to our limits and focuses on getting our fitness on point.”
Quick Breakdown of What’s Working
- Intense, goal‑oriented drills that keep the energy high.
- Customized fitness routines tailored for each player’s strengths.
- Regular feedback sessions that ensure everyone knows exactly where they stand.
With a coach who knows how to turn raw talent into polished skill, it’s no surprise the team has gone from “good try” to “top dog” status.
Shahul’s Ultimate Dream for TKPS & Beyond
Shahul isn’t just dreaming of a trophy for the TKPS team—he’s charting a full-on sports renaissance. And the good news? It’s not limited to football.
Big Thanks to Everyone
“I’m thankful and thrilled that the FAS, along with other bodies, has stepped in to nurture our young athletes,” he said, a grin widening on his face. He’s especially grateful for the robust backing from private and governmental spearheads, such as Singapore Pools and the Ministry of Education.
Why This Matters
- Motivates kids to dream big and chase sporting glory.
- Inspires future athletes to bring home medals for the nation.
- Builds a steady pipeline of talent ready to represent Singapore on the world stage.
In short, Shahul’s ambitions are as expansive as a football field stretched across the sky—it’s all about uplifting tomorrow’s champions, one player at a time.
