15th May 2008 - The young nursing students traded in their uniforms this month to don blue t-shirts and sneakers as they trained for the netball tournament organised by SJMC Training & Education Services Sdn. Bhd. The event was an inter-nursing-college tournament to foster better relationship between nursing colleges.

“Fourteen of our nursing students were chosen during the selection round based on their experience and skills on the netball court. Many of the girls are very good, but we only chose fourteen of them to make up two teams,” said Choo Peak Yean, nursing lecturer and teacher advisor of the netball team.

Together with fellow colleague, Ms. Fateha, nursing administrator, Choo and Fateha coached the girls twice a week for four weeks prior to the tournament, to get them in shape for the challenge.

“It was a rather challenging moment for us as the college does not really have a proper netball court. We’d to convert the basketball court for our training and each team practiced on half the court each time,” said Choo. “It was a tough training session at times as it rained most evenings.”

The teams were lead by their chosen captains, Nur Shahidah Nafisah and Nur Atikah bt. Buang. Both are students who joined the SEGi nursing programme in 2007. The girls did what was best to brush up their efforts by practicing as much as they can. The day came when they had their skills tested out on the field.

It was a tough battle fought by SEGi College nursing students as they battled it out for the championship. The girls fought well against MAHSA College, winning by a slim margin of 10-8. Pumped up for round 2, the SEGi girls battled it out against UCSI and won by a victorious 10-3.

“It was very exciting for them. What more, their fellow classmates and even a few friends from other faculties were there to cheer on the girls as they played! It shows such wonderful support they have for each other,” commented Choo.

The 3rd and final round, the SEGi College team faced Masterskill College, and were defeated 3-9.

“They had a good run for the 1st and 2nd rounds, I think they were just tired out by the 3rd round. 2nd place for the tournament is a pretty good achievement as this is the first time we enter the competition,” added Choo.

“What the girls have taken back from this experience is not just the defeat at the final round. They have learned of teamwork and to control their emotions, two very important aspects in being a nurse. The defeat of the final round was a humbling experience which they learn not to be too over confident in themselves and to always question their next move.”