Event Report - SPEA Awards 2023

Event Report - SPEA Awards 2023, 13 Oct 2023, AST Theatrette

The SPEA Awards 2023 was a successful event made possible by a dedicated organising team. The preparations began at 2 p.m., ensuring everything was ready for the ceremony. The team aimed to provide our award winners and guests with the best experience as we recognised their outstanding commitment to professional excellence in the field.

A pleasant surprise awaited us at 3:40 pm when our guest of honour, Director-General of Education at the Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE), Ms Liew Wei Li, arrived early at the AST Theatrette. Early arrivals took the opportunity to catch up, fostering a sense of camaraderie. DGE Ms Liew seamlessly blended in, reflecting the friendliness and energy that define our PE and sports community.

The awards ceremony began promptly at 4 pm, with Mr Leonard Koh, President of SPEA, delivering the opening address and DGE Ms Liew Wei Li, our guest of honour, offering her warm greetings and encouragement.

Mr Koh talked about SPEA's evolving role in promoting professional excellence, highlighting the various avenues through which this is achieved, such as the biannual newsletter, ongoing professional development workshops and biennial recognition platform for awards presentation.

DGE Ms Liew’s speech focused on the "deep impact" of late Mr. Lau Teng Chuan, our founder and pioneering PE teacher, on his students and the essential role of PE in developing 21st Century Competencies in our students. She expressed her appreciation for the PE and sports teachers' dedication to the profession and their students.

Right: Members of the selection committee for OPETA and OTCA, receiving their certification of appreciation from Mr Leonard Koh, President, SPEA.

The ceremony began by recognising the selection committee members, partners, and sponsors who made the event possible. 

Above: Mr Lee Wung Yew, President, Olympians Singapore, receiving a certificate of appreciation for sponsoring the OTCA 2023.

Above: Mr Melvin Lau, Senior Manager, Hong Seng Sports, receiving the Certificate of Appreciation for sponsoring the OPETA 2023.

Above: Mr Eric Chua. Deputy Director, PESTA, representing AST, receiving the Certificate of Appreciation for their support in the event.

The event's highlight was the awards ceremony, where each winner was acknowledged for their professional excellence in PE and Sports Coaching in schools. There were two awards categories, namely the Outstanding PE Teacher Award (OPETA) and the Outstanding Teacher Coach Award (OTCA). We were pleased to announce that there were six awardees this year. Visit our SPEA Instagram at <https://www.instagram.com/spea.sg/> to find out more about the awardees! 

Above: Recipients of the OCTA 2023 (Merit)

Above: Recipients of the OCTA & OPETA 2023

Mr Joel Chia, Vice President of Planning and development, gave the closing address and encouraged all guests and members to take this opportunity to celebrate and reconnect with one another, ending the event on a positive and inspiring note.  

This event offered an excellent opportunity for the PE community to connect and end the week on an inspiring note. Let us continue to fulfill our mission of creating a more active and healthier Singapore through Physical Education with unity and conviction!

We were also delighted that our winners were featured on the Straits Times! Check out the ST articles through the web-links below!

Source: Sports Section, The Straits Times,  13 October 2023

SPEA thanked all colleagues, partners, supports and distinguished guests for attending the awards ceremony. The following SPEA awards will be in 2025. Nominations will begin in the last quarter of 2024. Stay tuned for more updates!

Above: In the presence of the school leaders and her PE Department, SPEA was delighted to present the OPETA (Merit) award to Ms Mishon Lew, Woodlands Primary School, on 20 October 2023.


Photo Source: Woodlands Primary School

Article contributed by 

Publications and Publicity Team, SPEA

Photos by SPEA