Playing Together, Growing Together: How Inclusive Sports Spark Empathy and Understanding Among Children

At this year’s FunFam SportFest (FFSF), the spirit of inclusivity took centre stage. For the first time, students from MOE and SportSG’s Strategic Partnership Co-Curricular Activity (SP-CCA) programme were paired with peers from Special Education (SPED) schools, joining hands to host and guide young participants through a day of sport and play. But beyond the cheer and high-fives, what emerged was something even more powerful: real moments of empathy, patience, and human connection.

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

“Inclusivity in sport allows students with various abilities to participate in adaptive activities and appreciate diverse sporting experiences,” shared one of the SP-CCA officers-in-charge. “It also provides space for interaction across different abilities, encouraging mutual understanding and reducing discomfort when they meet one another.”

This buddy system, piloted for the first time at FFSF, isn’t just about supporting someone else – it’s about growing together. SP-CCA students develop communication and empathy while SPED students gain confidence and exposure in a nurturing environment. 

The result? A day that went far beyond sports. It planted seeds for a more inclusive society.

Learning to Lead with Heart

For Annette Lam Yan Hei, a Secondary 1 student from Manjusri Secondary School and part of the Athletics SP-CCA, this was her first time working with SPED students.

“I felt curious, not anxious,” she shared. “My mum even gave me tips on how to support children with special needs.”

Despite initial communication challenges, she recalled how the bond naturally deepened throughout the day. “It was rewarding to see them become more comfortable. It reminded me that different abilities don’t limit success. It simply just means they take a different path to get there.”

Annette’s reflections are a powerful reminder: inclusive experiences don’t just develop leadership skills. They also teach grace, patience, and deeper understanding.

Growing in Confidence and Compassion

Secondary 3 student Alden Loh Kar Xuan from Maris Stella High School (Water Polo SP-CCA) shared a similar takeaway. He guided his buddy through his very first basketball activity, and in doing so, experienced something quietly profound.

“Even though they’re not good at expressing themselves with words, I saw so much perseverance,” Alden said. “Everyone is unique in their own way, and they all deserve to be treated the same.”

Through this experience, Alden shared that he not only developed greater empathy but also a sense of independence and personal responsibility.

Inclusion in Action

Beyond personal growth, the initiative reflects a bigger vision. “These platforms help break social barriers and challenge misconceptions about disabilities,” the officer-in-charge noted. “They also serve as models for how inclusion can be extended into every part of community life.”

The SP-CCA  team is encouraged by the spirit of collaboration seen at FunFam SportFest and looks forward to seeing how such shared sports experiences can continue to inspire future students, leaders, and changemakers.

For more details on SPCCA, visit go.gov.sg/spcca-ffsf.

About SP-CCA

The Strategic Partnership CCAs (SP-CCA) are centralised, non-school-based CCAs, conducted in collaboration with SportSG and National Arts Council (NAC) to allow secondary school students to pursue their interest in sports and performing arts. SP-CCAs are conducted by professional instructors and coaches jointly assessed by MOE and MCCY.

Through the programme, students from different schools will be able to pursue common interest, cultivate friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds while developing values and competencies for holistic development.