P R O F I L E S

Name : Gina Tan Jia Li

Y.O.R.B (year of rugger birth) : 2002

Rucking with Blacks since : 2002

Most rookies usually last two sessions, and if we're lucky, maybe a couple more. For reasons why, we still can't fathom, but it could be the positive rugby vibes that we radiate. It's strong stuff. Anyhow, here's the story of an exception - one of a survivor.

Meet Gina Tan and her seemingly limitless supply of unadulterated energy. There's so much of it that she let off the excess by singing, what in her idea were motivational songs, at the last night-cycling session. Whether a Grammy Award winning effort or not, we won't say. The experience however, is fondly remembered, and she has been called upon many a time since to punctuate weekday circuit sessions.

Among one of the most unusual ways that we've come across so far - Being her spontaneous self, she decided one day to try something new, got the contact number of a cousin's rugby-playing friend, gave rugby a shot, and like they say in a rather clichéd but convenient way, the rest is history.

The amazing means by which she has come to stay, for what we hope will be a fruitful and even longer while more, at Blacks.

How was it like when you first joined the club without prior experience back in 2002?

I was so lost on the field la!!! I'd never touched a rugby ball before and was totally clueless about rugby. Was actually quite demoralized at first, I felt so useless and stupid =( . And even though some of the seniors explained a little to me…I still didn't know what was going on!!

And in my mind I was thinking…okay okay this is the last time I'm coming here!! HAHA I think I wasn't myself when I went for training a second time.

Why rugby, when there are/were many other sports to choose from?

I have no idea too. I was thinking of trying out something new, and my cousin, who's a friend of Serena's suggested rugby…so I was thinking...eh, why not give it a try, so I called her up, and here I am. Maybe rugby's addictive - once you start you can't stop, heh heh..

You're a budding hooker…but do you secretly aspire to play in some other position?

I don't secretly aspire…in fact I have openly declared that I want to try playing other positions before.

Scrumhalf, in-center, winger, fullback, second row, flanker…actually almost every other position in the 15s team la … a bit insane I know… but by that I don't mean that I have to try every other position now. I just hope that someday I will be capable of playing in other positions, to be someone more versatile you see…like a chameleon…able to adapt to the surroundings, instead of having the surroundings adapt to you...hehheh!!

But on the other hand, I still have a long way to go in order to be a good 'hooker'. My experience as a 'hooker' is not enough and there are still many things that I've yet to learn as a one…Seriously, I think it's no use for me to aspire to play in other positions when my primary position is not even stable yet…

We've noticed the ever-changing hairstyles. What's with the fascination with hair? Or is this just another way of coping with stress?

Well, I've always wanted to be a hairstylist but my mum didn't allow (no future), so instead, during the time I go to other hairstylists for haircuts, I also steal skills from them…that's why the ever-changing hairstyle…HAHA!! Nothing to do with coping with stress...

Recommend a hairstyle for a rugger playing at hook.

Hairstyle? No way… you don't need any specific hairstyle to play hook!! In fact there's no such thing as a regular hairstyle... Different people can bring out a different style for a similar cut. Actually who you are brings out how you look…meaning if you're good at heart you'll naturally be good-looking… which pretty much explains why yours truly here is ta-da - good looking!!! Hur hur. I'm kidding!

What's the most and least fun thing about all this, and what keeps you enthusiastic about it?

Most fun: mental block! …will answer you if I become flava again ok? HAHA!!
Least fun: fitness sessions definitely. I SuR-Len-Der!!

The physical and mental challenges of rugby, my lovable teammates in the club! And the occasionally free ride home sometimes, heh heh…

Do you have any advice for rookies contemplating taking up rugby and joining Blacks?

Just Do It!! Seriously…Don't think too much and feel shy about joining us. The best thing about Blacks is that we are all very friendly and encouraging people. We will make you feel welcomed - like one big family…Really!!

When I decided to come down for my first session with Blacks, I had the same Just Do It mindset too... :

What do you look forward to at every training session?

Improvements, definitely. I kept getting frustrated with myself in the past because I don't see improvements often...I'm sure a lot of us younger players feel this way…I'm learning to be a little bit more patient with myself now.

What about rugby has ever made you feel like giving up?

My mum. She wants me to give up rugby all the time…she thinks that all the time I've put into rugby is a waste, and she also thinks that rugby has changed me into someone who doesn't care about my future.

What she doesn't know is how much rugby has influenced me. It made me realized that things don't come easy and how difficult it is for things to go your way… I've come to understand that I have to put in effort in everything I do, for studies, for future blah blah blah.

She thinks that I'm still fooling around and she will look down on whatever things I do.

At some point of time, I was too sick of her scolding and insults. I wanted to quit rugby and be able to go down to her place on Sundays earlier just to make her happy. But I couldn't make myself give up…I love rugby!

We heard that you've been coaching primary school touch teams...any plans on making that a full time job?

Haa…I'm an amateur coaching more amateurs!! But I do enjoy coaching primary school kids. You can say that it due to the sense of achievement you feel when the kids listen to you and perform what you ask them to do. As for doing it as a full time job...I'm not too up to it yet :

Is there another side to Gina Tan Jia Li?

Yes. Definitely! Other than being so loud and hyperactive all the time, I do have another side of me, I get emo quite easily. I think a lot, I like being alone and I don't like talking too much occasionally. I am not always the loud and hyper Tan Jia Li we all know…I have a soft spoken and shy side of me too okay!

. interview by inky and photos by skookum tumtum .

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on rugby, life & women	the real misfits	our babies




	Name : Gina Tan Jia Li Y.O.R.B (year of rugger birth) : 2002 Rucking with Blacks since : 2002 Most rookies usually last two sessions, and if we're lucky, maybe a couple more. For reasons why, we still can't fathom, but it could be the positive rugby vibes that we radiate. It's strong stuff. Anyhow, here's the story of an exception - one of a survivor. Meet Gina Tan and her seemingly limitless supply of unadulterated energy. There's so much of it that she let off the excess by singing, what in her idea were motivational songs, at the last night-cycling session. Whether a Grammy Award winning effort or not, we won't say. The experience however, is fondly remembered, and she has been called upon many a time since to punctuate weekday circuit sessions. Among one of the most unusual ways that we've come across so far - Being her spontaneous self, she decided one day to try something new, got the contact number of a cousin's rugby-playing friend, gave rugby a shot, and like they say in a rather clichéd but convenient way, the rest is history. The amazing means by which she has come to stay, for what we hope will be a fruitful and even longer while more, at Blacks. How was it like when you first joined the club without prior experience back in 2002? I was so lost on the field la!!! I'd never touched a rugby ball before and was totally clueless about rugby. Was actually quite demoralized at first, I felt so useless and stupid =( . And even though some of the seniors explained a little to me…I still didn't know what was going on!! And in my mind I was thinking…okay okay this is the last time I'm coming here!! HAHA I think I wasn't myself when I went for training a second time. Why rugby, when there are/were many other sports to choose from? I have no idea too. I was thinking of trying out something new, and my cousin, who's a friend of Serena's suggested rugby…so I was thinking...eh, why not give it a try, so I called her up, and here I am. Maybe rugby's addictive - once you start you can't stop, heh heh.. You're a budding hooker…but do you secretly aspire to play in some other position? I don't secretly aspire…in fact I have openly declared that I want to try playing other positions before. Scrumhalf, in-center, winger, fullback, second row, flanker…actually almost every other position in the 15s team la … a bit insane I know… but by that I don't mean that I have to try every other position now. I just hope that someday I will be capable of playing in other positions, to be someone more versatile you see…like a chameleon…able to adapt to the surroundings, instead of having the surroundings adapt to you...hehheh!! But on the other hand, I still have a long way to go in order to be a good 'hooker'. My experience as a 'hooker' is not enough and there are still many things that I've yet to learn as a one…Seriously, I think it's no use for me to aspire to play in other positions when my primary position is not even stable yet… We've noticed the ever-changing hairstyles. What's with the fascination with hair? Or is this just another way of coping with stress? Well, I've always wanted to be a hairstylist but my mum didn't allow (no future), so instead, during the time I go to other hairstylists for haircuts, I also steal skills from them…that's why the ever-changing hairstyle…HAHA!! Nothing to do with coping with stress... Recommend a hairstyle for a rugger playing at hook. Hairstyle? No way… you don't need any specific hairstyle to play hook!! In fact there's no such thing as a regular hairstyle... Different people can bring out a different style for a similar cut. Actually who you are brings out how you look…meaning if you're good at heart you'll naturally be good-looking… which pretty much explains why yours truly here is ta-da - good looking!!! Hur hur. I'm kidding! What's the most and least fun thing about all this, and what keeps you enthusiastic about it? Most fun: mental block! …will answer you if I become flava again ok? HAHA!! Least fun: fitness sessions definitely. I SuR-Len-Der!! The physical and mental challenges of rugby, my lovable teammates in the club! And the occasionally free ride home sometimes, heh heh… Do you have any advice for rookies contemplating taking up rugby and joining Blacks? Just Do It!! Seriously…Don't think too much and feel shy about joining us. The best thing about Blacks is that we are all very friendly and encouraging people. We will make you feel welcomed - like one big family…Really!! When I decided to come down for my first session with Blacks, I had the same Just Do It mindset too... : What do you look forward to at every training session? Improvements, definitely. I kept getting frustrated with myself in the past because I don't see improvements often...I'm sure a lot of us younger players feel this way…I'm learning to be a little bit more patient with myself now. What about rugby has ever made you feel like giving up? My mum. She wants me to give up rugby all the time…she thinks that all the time I've put into rugby is a waste, and she also thinks that rugby has changed me into someone who doesn't care about my future. What she doesn't know is how much rugby has influenced me. It made me realized that things don't come easy and how difficult it is for things to go your way… I've come to understand that I have to put in effort in everything I do, for studies, for future blah blah blah. She thinks that I'm still fooling around and she will look down on whatever things I do. At some point of time, I was too sick of her scolding and insults. I wanted to quit rugby and be able to go down to her place on Sundays earlier just to make her happy. But I couldn't make myself give up…I love rugby! We heard that you've been coaching primary school touch teams...any plans on making that a full time job? Haa…I'm an amateur coaching more amateurs!! But I do enjoy coaching primary school kids. You can say that it due to the sense of achievement you feel when the kids listen to you and perform what you ask them to do. As for doing it as a full time job...I'm not too up to it yet : Is there another side to Gina Tan Jia Li? Yes. Definitely! Other than being so loud and hyperactive all the time, I do have another side of me, I get emo quite easily. I think a lot, I like being alone and I don't like talking too much occasionally. I am not always the loud and hyper Tan Jia Li we all know…I have a soft spoken and shy side of me too okay! . interview by inky and photos by skookum tumtum .