In the Flow (ITF) is a series of conversations with people at the top of their game. From elite athletes and musicians to lawyers, surgeons and more, we speak with high performers from diverse backgrounds to find out how their story began and discover some of the ingredients of their success.
Since making her debut with the national netball team in 2011, Charmaine Soh has come a long way to become a mainstay of the team. This has been an eventful year for her, with Team Singapore winning its first-ever SEA Games netball gold in June 2015. Malaysia, the other finalist, was certainly no push-over, but Charmaine maintained her cool and made her shots when it mattered. The netball team also won Singapore National Olympic Council’s Team of the Year Award.
Tall, friendly and carrying an infectious personality off-court, Charmaine transforms into a deadly accurate goal shooter and intense competitor when she steps onto the court. It’s abundantly clear that Charmaine knows what it takes to flow under pressure. Here we talk to her and take a closer look at who she is and what underpins her drive towards excellence.
How did you get started in netball?
I started playing netball when I was 13 years old. I was intending to try out for volleyball, but I went for the wrong trial and ended up in netball. And the rest is history…
You’ve been involved in this sport for a while now. With netball being one of the more successful sports here in Singapore, what’s the culture like?
We get a lot of support and love from our family, friends, supporters and sponsors. They are people who are very important to us and we cherish them a lot.
What does success in netball mean to you?
It means that I am able to actively participate in something I’m really passionate about and being able to contribute to Singapore.
What have been some of your most memorable moments in netball? Why?
To win the finals against Malaysia in the recent SEA Games. That match is currently my all-time favourite. We were losing up till the third quarter, but with perseverance, determination and fighting spirit, my mates and I managed to turn the game around.
You balance a full-time job at Deloitte with your role as a national netball player who trains at least 4 times a week. How do you manage this balancing act?
6 times a week now. But I have understanding and supportive bosses at Deloitte, loving and caring family and friends, a bunch of positive and cheerful teammates who I really enjoy playing with. Talk about balancing everything? There is almost nothing I cannot accomplish now.
You are now one of the key players in the team. What has been the DNA of your success?
To always go back to my roots and remember why I started.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
Not getting enough rest a day. I am so caught up with so many events every day that I do not have enough time to sleep. I make it up by napping during lunch and it helps.
What advice would you give to all your junior netball fans who are working hard to emulate your success?
Remember why you started. Every time you feel like giving up, feel you are not good enough, or even when you think you are too good and complacent, remember why you started.
What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to set up my own clothing line. But we shall see.
When is the next netball event we should look out for?
Nations Cup held in Singapore from the 13th to 19th December.
<Click here to get your Nations Cup tickets.>
Achieving excellence takes hard work, commitment and drive. Kudos to Charmaine, a deserving champion who has taken the path less travelled to don national colours while developing her corporate career at the same time. Let’s give Charmaine and her team our full support this December. Go Team Singapore!
