Trying new things is never easy. The fear of failure stops us from taking that first step in a new direction, whether it’s trying a new sport or learning a new skill. But at RC4, the first step becomes easier.

In the context of sports, Interest Groups (IGs) that range from climbing to tchoukball provide residents with weekly sessions to play and relax.  The naming of these groups as IGs and not Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) is intentional as it reflects their flexible nature. Participation in IGs is optional, experience is not required, and an “interest” is what these groups aspire to cultivate. The communities are supportive, and the sessions are beginner friendly.

For example, RC4 Dodgeball holds its sessions in the RC4 MPSH twice a week. Sessions are held at night to accommodate timetables and there is no need to sign up beforehand. Experienced players guide beginners to help them learn the sport, and the veterans guide experienced players to improve.  Everything, from the location to the session timings is designed to make it as easy as possible for residents to try dodgeball out. The same applies for all sports IGs in RC4.

There are about 19 sports IGs in RC4 with about a collective 55 hours of session runtime in every week. Every IG has equipment for residents to use and a dedicated team of people to make sure the sessions are run as smoothly as possible. When it comes to variety, RC4 does not disappoint - the real challenge might just be finding enough time to try them all.

This sporting culture of RC4, where residents are encouraged to try new things, culminates in the Inter-House Games (IHG), a yearly affair during Semester 1’s recess week. Across the 19 sports and e-sports events lined up throughout the week, residents from the 5 houses: Noctua, Aquila, Ursa, Leo and Draco, compete to win the coveted IHG trophy. Friendly competition is the name of the game, but the IHG spirit has always been to foster house camaraderie and to encourage participation throughout the RC.

Scormon Ho, the College Student Committee Sports Director, chimes in on the purpose of IHG: “IHG plays a pivotal role in shaping the sports culture of our vibrant community. It has been truly wholesome to witness residents from different houses come together, not just in competition but in friendship, creating memories that will last well beyond their time in college. As the Sports Director, my goal is to inspire greater participation in sports to cultivate a lasting legacy of teamwork and resilience, especially during this milestone year.”.

RC4 residents, Assoc. Prof. Peter Pang (in Teal), and Assoc. Prof. Tan Tin Wee (left-centre) at the IHG opening ceremony (Photo Credits: CSC Pubs)

The games began with a cheerful opening ceremony followed by the first event of Floorball. The houses duked it out at RC4’s multi-purpose sports hall , playing fairly but fiercely. Ursa was eventually crowned the champion for Floorball as they narrowly defeated Aquila in a close final match.

Ursa Floorball’s captains, Javier Lim and Chew En Wei, Year 1 Computer Science and Year 1 Computer Engineering students respectively, were ecstatic about the win: “Floorball IHG was an absolute highlight of my time in RC4 so far! Going from 5th place last year to champions was truly an underdog story that not many would have expected. All 5 matches were fiercely contested, and it was incredible to witness the passion and dedication of every house. For Ursa, the victory wouldn’t have been possible without the trust and encouragement we had for one another. There were many moments when we were on the verge of losing, but our team kept chanting "believe in yourself”, and that belief, that shared morale, is what pushed us through to win Ursa’s first-ever floorball IHG title.”.

The final against Aquila was intense, with the atmosphere in the hall electric. Both teams were so evenly matched that, in the end, it felt like the game could have gone either way. The stands were packed with supporters, and the energy from both sides was unforgettable. A huge thank you to Aquila for such a thrilling final and to all the supporters who came down to cheer both houses on. I’m already excited to represent RC4 for ICG (Inter-College Games) next year!”

Team Ursa at Floorball IHG (Photo Credits: CSC Pubs)

On Day 2, some residents took part in Volleyball at the University Town Sports Hall, where the event was marked by another exhilarating finals.

Daniel Goh, a Year 2 Information Security student from Leo reflects on the game,  “Volleyball is a memory for me, I played for the school team in primary school but did not continue afterwards. Seeing that it was my last chance to ever play a beginner friendly competition, I decided to try to pick it up again one last time, given that there were equipment, facilities, and training sessions readily available for me. But the most important factor is that I had friends play with. Standing on the court with my friends I study and live with in RC4 is a memory that I will cherish. It’s something special about IHG, where we get to seriously compete with our friends. Win or lose, I think it was a special memory.”

Team Leo at Volleyball IHG (Photo Credits: CSC Pubs)

The games heightened in intensity on Day 3, as more events lined up. One of which was Overcooked, an e-sport centred around a cooking game where players cooperate to produce dishes in record speed. As a tradition, players will usually compete dressed in their chef hats and aprons.

“I think sports has become quite a uniting activity in RC4, which forms a network across houses and friend groups. So, bringing this to e-sports extends this network further to others who might be less involved in physical sports, which all in all, is a very desirable thing as it brings RC4 together and strengthens our identity. The tradition of chef costumes honestly started off as a joke, but I think it ends up bringing forward a playful slant to the competition that is going on during the sport. It really reminds me that residents in RC4 really are fun-loving people and that we make and own our fun,” Cameron Loh, a Year 2 Politics, Philosophy and Economics student from Noctua, shared.

Team Noctua at Overcooked IHG (Photo Credits: Ho Jin Xian)

Residents also participate in more ways than just being athletes. Winnie Tan, a Year 2 Business Administration student from Draco recounts her experience cheering for her house, “'Good D!' 'Mark your man!' 'It's okay!' - these were the three phrases I said (shouted) most frequently during recess week. I love cheering for the people competing - as somebody who has played on court, I know the fuel that arises from listening to the cheers. So, cheering when I'm not competing, is really my best way of supporting the players who tirelessly dedicate their time and effort to winning for the House.”.

Team Draco at Ultimate Frisbee IHG (Photo Credits: CSC Pubs)

Finally, on Day 4, with all the games played, Aquila was ceremoniously declared champions of IHG 2024 during the closing ceremony. Maisarah Hamdan, a Year 2 Biomedical Engineering student who is also Aquila’s House Head reflects on the achievement: “Generally, I think winning IHG is quite a feat but the fact that it’s the first time Aquila has won ever just makes it even better. Everyone really sacrificed their midterms for this, and we didn't go into the games thinking we would win, it’s a bit cliché but we were just trying our best”.

Team Aquila winning IHG 2024 (Photo Credits: CSC Pubs)

On top of the award ceremony, residents were shown a video montage of action across the 4 days. Uncoordinatedly, residents were cheering on one another as they saw their friends on the big screen.

This is what encapsulates the sporting culture of RC4, where residents not only show off their talents and teamwork through the games but also the undeniable support for one another, without prejudice, in whatever they do, or try.