A note from our past President_Dr John Wang

I am proud to be the 6th President of SPEA from 2012 to 2016. Reflecting on the role of SPEA, it is a professional organisation that represents professionals in physical education and sports in Singapore. It is committed to advocating excellence in physical education and sports education to promote the development of a physically active and healthy lifestyle. 

SPEA was founded by the late Dr Lau Teng Chuan in 1975. Dr Lau is recognised as the father of physical education in Singapore. Before his passing, Dr Lau wrote an autobiography and released the book in 2012. During the book launch on 26 April, he said, “My life has been about volunteerism. We took the risk of training youth leaders over the years, and I'm glad to see it's had a ripple effect since.” I hope to see the spirit of volunteerism and ripple effect continue through the work of SPEA. 

To honour Dr Lau’s contributions and achievements, SPEA helped with the sale of the autobiography. Dr Lau’s family has kindly contributed all the funds and donations to the SPEA professional development fund. 

Many initiatives were set up during my term as SPEA’s President, such as the annual Lau Teng Chuan Physical Education and Sports Science symposium, which is in its 14th run this year, and the Lau Teng Chuan Book Prize. 

I had a magnificent team who worked hard for the physical education and sports community in Singapore during my term, with special thanks to our advisor, Mr Goh Ek Piang. I would like to acknowledge what they have done:

• Amended the SPEA’s constitutions to include a wider mission and vision.

• Revamped the SPEA website and newsletter

• Launch of SPEA Facebook page

• Organised the Asian Conference for Physical Education and Sports Science in 2014 

• Lau Teng Chuan Physical Education and Sports Science Symposium

• Lau Teng Chuan Book Prize

• SPEA Book Prize for Republic Polytechnic

• SPEA Book Prize for PESS

• SPEA-PESTA Dinner (2013)

• Student Chapter for SPEA

• Started the ASEAN Council of Physical Education and Sports

• Increased membership and attracted many young members to join the SPEA managing committee. 

We have come a long way, and I am happy to see that SPEA is now a more vibrant and exciting organisation. I hope to see SPEA continue to stay relevant in the next 50 years, and this would require its members to embrace the spirit of our founding president.