Singapore Sailing CEO hands over the helm

by Singapore Sailing on 4 Jan 2010 The Singapore Sailing Federation (SingaporeSailing) announced today that Andrew Sanders, Chief Executive Officer, will be handing over the helm of SingaporeSailing to Edwin Low, incumbent Secretary-General and Head of High Participation, in the first quarter of 2010.

Andrew has been working with SingaporeSailing for eight years. He led the High Performance Unit from 2002 to 2005, and then rose to become Executive Director and CEO. After steering the Federation for nearly five years, Andrew will be moving on to pursue other opportunities in the sports or the commodities and resources sectors, including consultancy opportunities.

Andrew is both an accomplished sailor and respected coach and was previously an exploration geologist in Western Australia. It was whilst coaching the Singapore sailors in his hometown Perth in 2001, he made an impression and was offered to come to Singapore as SingaporeSailing's High Performance Manager. The offer sounded challenging so he left his mining exploration job and moved north to Singapore.

Low Teo Ping, SingaporeSailing's President says, 'Over the past eight years, we have built up both the High Performance and High Participation programmes, and established an efficient secretariat team. We have been developing a sustainable training system which can take primary school sailors as first day beginners and nurture them right through, even as far as the Olympic Games.’

'The full development system from broad based development to high performance is now in place. Going forward, we will continue to iterate the systems, improving the quality of delivery and also work towards further developing our local sailing, coaching and management talent for a complete sustainable sailing ecosystem. The organisation has never been stronger both in terms of governance and its ability to deliver a wide range of sailing programmes and to this end, Andrew has given his all and we are greatly appreciative of his contributions.'

'We have been planning the long term succession for SingaporeSailing over the last two years and in specific terms over the last seven months. Edwin Low, who has been a backbone of SingaporeSailing for over 10 years, will progressively take over the helm early this year. His position of Executive Director will take effect from 1 February 2010. We are very pleased that we can appoint the leader from within our organisation and this is in tune with SingaporeSailing's long term organic development strategies. The management team of Edwin, Mark Robinson (Head of High Performance) and Selvam Mookken (Head of Admin, Finance and HR) will continue to strive towards achieving SingaporeSailing's vision and mission.

'Looking further into the future, we have also established a management trainee programme to encourage sportsmen to pursue a career in sports and sailing in a coaching and management capacity. As such, I am pleased to announce Chung Pei Ming as SingaporeSailing's new management trainee and national coach.'

Pei Ming, 27, began his new career at SingaporeSailing in October this year after he graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science (Sport Coaching). This affable young man is a natural at multi-tasking, he took on dual roles as an elite athlete campaigning for the Olympic Games and also as Team Captain for the SEA and Asian Games, acting as the critical communication bridge between the team managers, coaches and sailors.

Edwin, incoming Executive Director, says, 'It is an honour for me to be given this opportunity to lead SingaporeSailing from here on. I have worked closely with Andrew on all projects and SingaporeSailing has achieved much in the international scene and this will be a continued aim, as well as, to further develop the local sailing scene around the island with more programmes and classes of boats. We will strive towards making sailing a sport to be enjoyed by all, continuing to work closely with our member clubs and marinas to make the sport more accessible. Andrew and I have always had a very close working relationship and in some way we are like brothers in business together. The sailing fraternity will miss his presence, and on behalf of them, I wish him every success in his future endeavours.'

Edwin was appointed Secretary General of SingaporeSailing in 2005. He currently heads the High Participation division and operations at the National Sailing Centre. Being one of the pioneer staff at the National Sailing Centre, he has played a significant role in the development of sailing, particularly youth sailing in Singapore. He has also represented Singapore in numerous competitions and won gold and silver medals at the SEA Games.

Andrew Sanders in commenting on his stint at SingaporeSailing, said, 'It has been a wonderful journey at SingaporeSailing working with the President, executive committees, colleagues, sailors and parents in Singapore's sailing fraternity. Some of my many memorable moments at SingaporeSailing include running the SEA and Asian Games teams, and overseeing development of the new High Performance training system (APIPA), and the new High Participation programmes SailSmart, SailFun, and the Optimist Certification Pathway. It particularly warms my heart when I see the young sailors in SailSmart and SailFun with big smiles on their faces when they conquer their first day of sailing. I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunities that were given to me, particularly Teo Ping's visionary leadership and mentorship. I am also fortunate that my two areas of relevant interest and experience, sports and the resources sectors, are growing industries of the future.'

SingaporeSailing's development system starts with the 'Play' and outdoor 'Self-discovery programmes' SailSmart and SailFun, leading through to the four-level Optimist certification pathway (OptiJunior, OptiSailor, OptiRacer and OptiStar) and into the National Squads, Talented Athlete Programme, Olympic Development Squad and finally the Olympic Squad.

The new SailSmart / SailFun and Optimist Certification Pathway programmes are currently being expanded around the island to new venues and clubs to bring sailing closer to all island wide.

Since 2004, thousands of sailors have gone through the development system and it has produced 14 world champions and over 40 regional and continental champions for Singapore.